Retail Store Associate (Full Time)

MEC; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on gear

Extended health and dental plans

Paid time off

Outdoor excursions with MEC staff

Equipment Demonstration Program (EDP)

Mental health support and work/life &

Training and product knowledge

Growth opportunities

Job summary

MEC in Ottawa is seeking a Store Advisor to help Members find gear and share real-world experience. You’ll chat with people planning trips, advise on gear, and assist with store tasks while learning about new products and sustainable gear.

If you love the outdoors and want to grow, MEC offers training, gear discounts, health plans, paid time off, outdoor events, and a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Previous retail or customer service experience is a plus, not a must.
• Curious about gear and eager to learn; training will be provided.
• Availability to work Saturdays or Sundays.

Responsibilities

• Chat with members about products and connect them with what they’re looking for.
• Ask open-ended questions to understand members’ needs.
• Share knowledge and advice on gear with personal recommendations.
• Be part of a team that keeps the store in tip-top shape.
• Help behind the scenes to organize inventory and assist members.
• Spread the word about MEC events and services.
• Learn about new products, technology and features, including sustainability.
• Help more people in Canada get active outside, from family trips to backcountry adventures.

Skills

Customer service

Outdoors affinity

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

MEC is more than a store. We’re a hub for the outdoor community, a leader in sustainability, and a place where you can be yourself. People come to us to try new things and plan new adventures – and as a store Advisor, you’ll be there to help make it all happen.

Members (what we call customers) visit us for gear and advice on hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, watersports, snowsports and travel. You’ll chat with people who are planning everything from dream trips to weekend getaways, and first-timers to outdoor experts.

You’ll also have some pretty incredible coworkers who might just become future activity buddies; we asked staff what their favourite thing was about working for MEC, and the overwhelming answer was “the people.”

The Role

As an Advisor, you’ll make MEC a great place to visit. You’ll give exceptional member service by matching people with gear that suits their needs, and you’ll share your real-world experience about products. You’ll help in other ways too, like visual merchandising or lending a hand to other staffers, and you’ll also have a chance to grow and try new things. If you love the outdoors, learning about gear and connecting with people, this is the role for you.

What a day in the life looks like:

• Chat with members about products and connect them with what they’re looking for.
• Ask open-ended questions to understand members’ needs.
• Share product knowledge and industry-leading advice on gear, including your personal recommendations.
• Be part of a team of staffers who takes pride in keeping the store in tip-top shape.
• Help behind the scenes to organize inventory and get members the products they need.
• Spread the word about MEC events and services.
• Learn about new products, technology and features (including sustainability).
• Above all, help more people in Canada get active outside, whether that means planning for a family camping trip or a massive backcountry expedition.

You might be who we’re looking for if:

• You like working with a diverse, inclusive, hands-on, collaborative team.
• You’re passionate about the outdoors. Product knowledge in camping, cycling, packs or any other outdoor activity is a great asset.
• You want to connect people with quality products to encourage active outdoor lives.
• You’re a “can do” person who likes to learn new things.
• Your skill set includes personal integrity and awareness, customer focus, initiative and character, teamwork and the ability to develop yourself and others.
• You have a good natured, outgoing welcoming vibe and genuinely like helping people.
• Customer service is not just your skill, it’s your mindset. You’ll go out of your way to provide an excellent member experience.
• You can lift 50 lb. and walk 10,000 steps per day.
• Previous retail or customer service experience is a plus, not a must.
• You’re curious about gear and want to learn more – we’ll provide training to build your skills.

Availability

• Fully open availability to work Saturdays or Sundays.
• Bonus points if you’re also available to work a variety of shifts between Monday and Friday, 7:00am and 9:00pm.

What do we offer?

• Competitive hourly rate and clear pay increase program.
• Discounts on gear for pretty much every outdoor activity out there – including bikes, and much more.
• Extended health and dental plans for you and your eligible immediate family members (for applicable employment Statuses).
• Paid time off each year to enjoy an outdoor activity of your choice.
• Opportunities to join outdoor excursions with other MEC staffers.
• Equipment Demonstration Program (EDP) – gear rental program.
• Support for that big, expedition style adventure that you have been dreaming of.
• Access to confidential mental health support, and other work/life support services at no cost to you.
• Training and product knowledge.
• Growth opportunities.

This posting is intended to backfill an existing role.

The hourly wage range for this position is $19.18 to $19.89 per hour, in accordance with the wage scale. The final wage will be determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience and/or qualifications.