Administrative & Merchandise Specialist

Western Welding Academy; Gillette (WY); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical option

Health Savings Account contribution

Company‑paid life insurance

401(k) with match

Dental and vision coverage

Unlimited PTO

Nine paid holidays

Mission-driven team

Job summary

Western Welding Academy is seeking an Administrative & Merchandise Specialist to keep daily operations organized and to own WWA merchandise, inventory, orders, and related administrative tasks. You will work across departments to ensure accurate handling from vendors to students, staff, events, and customers.

The role emphasizes hands‑on merchandise management, vendor coordination, and data entry with a mission‑driven team in Gillette, WY.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Strong organizational and communication skills are essential.
• Experience with inventory, purchasing, e‑commerce or customer service preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain office organization and day‑to‑day administrative support.
• Manage merchandise inventory and orders from start to finish.
• Update online store product information, pricing and images.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Computer skills

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Team player

Detail-oriented

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Inventory management system

Online merchandise store platform

Merchandise operations software

Job description

$23.00 – $25.00 per hour, plus a benefits package worth $19,000–$24,000 annually.

$23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Reports to: Student Selection Director | Location: Gillette, WY

Full-time

Job Title: Administrative & Merchandise Specialist

Job Category: Administration / Operations / Merchandise

Job Description:

Keep things organized. Keep things moving. Help build the WWA brand. At Western Welding Academy, we're growing quickly, and that means there's always something that needs to get done. As an Administrative & Merchandise Specialist, you'll play an important role in keeping our day-to-day operations organized while taking ownership of WWA merchandise, inventory, orders, and other administrative responsibilities. This is a hands‑on position for someone who is organized, dependable, detail‑oriented, and willing to jump in wherever needed. You'll work across multiple areas of the organization, helping ensure that administrative tasks are handled correctly and that WWA merchandise gets from our vendors to our students, staff, events, and customers efficiently and accurately. If you're someone who likes staying busy, solving problems, keeping things organized, and seeing the results of your work, this role gives you the opportunity to do all of that while being part of a growing organization with a mission that matters.

Important Eligibility Requirement

Applicants must already be legally authorized to work in the United States. Western Welding Academy does not sponsor work visas or offer employment‑based immigration support.

Why Join Western Welding Academy?

At WWA, your work has a direct impact on the organization and the people we serve. This position gives you the opportunity to be part of the behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps a growing trade school running smoothly.

Here's what's in it for you: Your pay is only part of the picture. As a full‑time team member, here's the real value of working at Western Welding Academy:

• Free medical option. Our Cigna HDHP is fully company‑paid for you and your family. That's $0 out of your paycheck.
• Money toward your health costs. Choose the HDHP and we add $1,000 a year to your Health Savings Account.
• Company‑paid life insurance. $75,000 in coverage at no cost to you.
• 401(k) with a match. We match up to 3.5% of your pay to help you build for the future.
• Dental and vision coverage through Principal at low monthly cost.
• Unlimited PTO from your very first day.
• Nine paid holidays, including Good Friday, Black Friday, and Christmas Eve.
• A mission that matters. Your work helps support an organization dedicated to preparing people for successful careers in the skilled trades.

What You'll Do

• Keep the office organized by providing day‑to‑day administrative support to WWA staff and leadership.
• Manage merchandise inventory including apparel, promotional products, equipment, and other WWA merchandise.
• Process merchandise orders from start to finish, including picking, packing, shipping, and coordinating pickups.
• Track inventory levels and identify when products need to be reordered.
• Receive and organize merchandise from vendors and ensure incoming products are accurately counted and stored.
• Coordinate with vendors regarding product availability, pricing, orders, shipping, and delivery timelines.
• Maintain accurate records for inventory, purchases, orders, invoices, receipts, and other administrative information.
• Help manage the online merchandise store by updating products, descriptions, pricing, images, and inventory.
• Process online orders and make sure customers receive the correct products in a timely manner.
• Handle returns and exchanges while keeping inventory records accurate.
• Assist with merchandise at events including setup, sales, distribution, and tear‑down when needed.
• Help research and source new merchandise and promotional products that fit the WWA brand.
• Support purchasing and administrative tasks including invoices, receipts, spreadsheets, data entry, and other documentation.
• Respond to emails and communications related to merchandise, orders, vendors, and general administrative needs.
• Support special projects and other operational needs as assigned.
• Jump in wherever needed to help keep WWA's operations running smoothly.

What You Bring

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. You notice the little things and don't let important tasks fall through the cracks.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage multiple responsibilities and priorities at the same time.
• Strong computer skills and comfort learning new software and systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, or similar tools.
• Previous administrative, office management, retail, inventory, purchasing, e‑commerce, or customer service experience is preferred.
• Experience with an online store, inventory management system, or merchandise operation is a plus.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to figure things out without needing constant direction.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A dependable, professional, and positive attitude.
• The willingness to take ownership of your responsibilities and follow through.
• Knowledge of welding or trade education is a plus, not a requirement.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to spend extended periods working at a computer.
• Regular standing and walking throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry merchandise and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to repeatedly bend, reach, carry, package, and organize merchandise.
• Ability to assist with loading and unloading shipments and event materials when necessary.

The Details

• Schedule: Full‑time, approximately 50 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Regular hours are 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with some days beginning at 5:45 AM based on business needs.
• Setting: Primarily office‑based with regular interaction with merchandise inventory, vendors, staff, and customers. Occasional work at WWA events or off‑site locations.
• Physical: Combination of desk/administrative work and hands‑on merchandise and inventory responsibilities.
• FLSA status: Non‑exempt.
• Benefits eligibility: Full‑time employees working 30+ hours a week. Enroll within 30 days of your start date and coverage begins on day 31.

Before You Start

All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background check and a pre‑employment drug screening. These steps help us maintain a safe, professional environment for our students and team.

Why Western Welding Academy

We're a mission‑driven trade school, growing fast, with a team that takes ownership and moves quickly. Behind every successful organization is a team of people making sure the details are handled, and this position is an important part of that team.

Whether you're coordinating an order, solving an inventory issue, helping a vendor, organizing merchandise, or taking care of an administrative task, your work helps WWA operate at its best.

Join Our Mission

At Western Welding Academy, we're not just teaching skills—we're shaping futures. Your work helps support the students, staff, and operations that make that mission possible.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Western Welding Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.