Sales Associate at the Northern Lights Thrift Store

MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

POSITION TITLE: Sales Associate

DEPARTMENT: Divisional Retail Operations

REPORTS TO: Store Manager

FLSA STATUS: Part-Time; Non-Exempt

SCOPE OF POSITION: The Sales Associate is responsible for handling cash, making change, operating cash registers and charge card machines while maintaining accuracy and efficiency. They are responsible for assisting the public with donations of goods and checking out customers in a timely, courteous, pleasant, and efficient manner. They will condition the store and donations area clean and neat, performing basic janitorial duties to maintain a clean and safe working condition. The Sales Associate also assists with handling, pricing, and moving of merchandise in the day-to-day operations of the store. The Store Associate prepares and maintains store grounds in relation to snow, ice, and trash.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ability to carry out oral and written instructions with a minimum of supervision.
2. Some knowledge of inventory control, retail sales, and loss prevention.
3. Ability to operate a cash register, credit card machines, and handle monetary transactions.
4. Skill in maintaining excellent customer service by giving prompt and courteous assistance to customers and donors.
5. Ability to use equipment and systems such as a computer, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), telephone system, point of sale system, and time clock.
6. Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills as well as able to perform basic reading, writing and mathematical skills.
7. Able to work/interact effectively with the public, co-workers, and volunteers.
8. Able to understand and follow instructions.
9. One (1) year work experience in any field (sales/retail preferred).
10. Acceptable criminal history record

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCITONS:

1. Maintain cash register, ring in sales, issue credit slips, and make corrections and/or voids. Accept money, make changes, and verify checks and credit cards accurately and efficiently.
2. Respond to telephone inquiries.
3. Receive and assist in resolving complaints from customers regarding merchandise.
4. Provide for excellent customer relations by giving prompt and courteous assistance to customers, ensuring that all merchandise has been properly priced.
5. Stock store, including, but not limited to, sorting, hanging, pricing, merchandising, and discarding of non-usable items. Pull items that are outdated, label and return them back to the warehouse.
6. Receive acceptable donated materials and courteously reject materials designated as unacceptable.
7. Sanitize furniture and domestics as required.
8. Attend store staff meetings as required and stay informed of new policies and directives.
9. Assist with the loss prevention program, reporting all incidents of loss to the Store Manager in a timely manner.
10. Report safety hazards; assist in the protection of property and building and help to ensure store cleanliness inside and out.
11. Ensure security of the donation area, donation trailer, and the trash trailer.
12. Maintain a clean and safe work area.
13. Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed inside and outside the store building. Exposure to hot and cold temperatures and inclement weather is a condition of this job. The noise level is generally low to medium. Hearing protection may be worn when working around operating machinery. No hazardous waste, paint, cleaners, stains, poisons, batteries, or oils are allowed to be introduced into the work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Speaking, sitting, bending, walking, pushing, pulling, standing, kneeling, stooping, reaching, handling, fingering, climbing, and balancing. Maintain the ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as boxes or furniture, reach overhead, and carry store supplies. Hearing and visual acuity must be within normal limits. Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Ability to learn and adhere to proper lifting techniques, always wearing a back brace when lifting heavy items. Maintain the ability to operate a computer, telephone, and similar technologies

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests if the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

SOFTWARE-RELATED SKILLS: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook familiarity preferred. Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must be able to understand, follow and give both written and oral instructions and be comfortable working with diverse individuals in face-to-face contact and over the telephone. The employee must be able to use speech and hearing for ordinary and telephone conversation.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Must be able to perform simple calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and apply concepts such as ratios and percentages in practical situations.

PERFORMANCE SKILLS: Must be punctual, organized, self-motivated, flexible, and possess a desire to learn and assist those he/she interacts with.

PROTECT THE MISSION: Must complete the online course for this area and pass the Background Checks required by The Salvation Army for employment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RELIGIOUS PURPOSES OF THE SALVATION ARMY: The employee acknowledges that he/she has been informed and understands The Salvation Army's religious purpose and status as a church. The employee agrees that he/she shall do nothing to his/her relationship with The Salvation Army as an employee to undermine its religious mission. The employee agrees and understands that his/her services are a necessary part of The Army's religious purposes, and his/her work-related conduct must not conflict with, interfere with, or undermine such religious programs or The Army's religious purposes.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this position. The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this position statement.

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