Ledgewood NJ - Thrift Store Associate

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey; Roxbury Township (NJ); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill NYNJ in Ledgewood, NJ is seeking a Thrift Store Associate to support fast-paced donation processing and sales operations. You will sort, tag, and price merchandise and help maintain a clean, organized store environment.

This full-time role requires standing for long periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, and providing friendly service to donors and customers. Weekend availability is encouraged as the store operates seven days a week.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in customer service, donation processing, or retail is a plus.
• Ability to lift, sort, and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Sort, grade, and inspect donations for quality and condition.
• Tag and price merchandise according to company standards.
• Prepare items for transport to the sales floor.
• Organize items for e-commerce and clearance with accurate labeling.
• Follow safety procedures to maintain a clean and secure environment.
• Provide excellent donor and customer service, including receipts.
• Support mission by maximizing efficiency and productivity in daily tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team.

Skills

Customer service

Donation processing

Retail experience

Warehouse experience

Communication skills

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc.

Goodwill Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (GWNYNJ) believes that the power of work and sustainable fashion is how we unlock the good in our communities. For over 100 years, we have helped people get jobs, stay employed, and progress in careers across New York and Northern New Jersey. We believe that diversity drives innovation and strengthens our workplace. We are committed to fostering our inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and abilities.

Position Title:

Thrift Store Associate

Location:

Ledgewood, New Jersey

Benefit Classification:

Hourly

About Goodwill NYNJ

At Goodwill NYNJ, we empower individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to gain independence through the power of work. Founded more than 109 years ago, Goodwill believes in never leaving talent behind and that a positive world is where all talents are recognized. Operating over 30 retail locations, Goodwill is known for its retail stores and is a destination for donating goods – our retail operations make a material, sustainable impact on textile reuse.

Join our team and be part of something meaningful. Here, your work creates opportunities for yourself and for others in the community.

The Thrift Store Associate is a fast-paced production role responsible for receiving donations and preparing them for sale. The role includes sorting, tagging, pricing, and preparing merchandise for the sales floor. The position requires the ability to stand for extended periods and to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds while working with a high volume of inventory. Maintaining stockroom organization, ensuring quality control, and following safety standards are essential to success in this role.

The Awesome Things You’ll Do

• Sort, grade, and inspect donations (textiles, housewares, electronics, shoes, and accessories) for quality and condition.
• Tag and price merchandise according to company standards, meeting production goals per hour).
• Prepare items on rolling racks and carts for transport to the sales floor, meeting company standards for full fixtures.
• Organize and separate items for e-commerce and clearance departments, accurately labeling all goods
• Follow safety procedures and operational guidelines to maintain a clean and secure work environment.
• Provide excellent customer and donor service, including accepting donations, issuing receipts, and ensuring the donation area remains neat and organized when needed.
• Support Goodwill’s mission by maximizing efficiency and productivity in daily tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team and broader organizational goals.

Schedule

• This is a full-time role, requiring Weekdays and some weekends, both Saturday and Sunday flexibility.
• Flexibility in your availability is essential to meet the needs of the business which operates Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 9:00pm.

Safety Guidelines

This role involves handling pre-owned merchandise, which may contain allergens, dust, or other substances. Goodwill provides training, protective equipment, and follows safety protocols to ensure a clean and secure work environment. Employees must follow all safety guidelines and report concerns to management.

Our Must Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior experience in customer service, donation processing, retail, or warehouse environments is a plus.
• Ability to provide friendly, respectful service to a diverse donor and customer population.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operational guidelines.
• Comfortable performing physical tasks, including lifting, sorting, and standing for extended periods.
• Basic communication and teamwork skills.

What We Offer

• Generous time off policy to use when you need it
• Health, wellness, and financial resources to help you achieve your personal goals
• Robust health benefits including medical, dental, vision, parental leaves, and company-sponsored life insurance
• Retirement matching programs and contributions
• Transit and commuter benefits

You Bring the Good in Goodwill

We believe in creating space for everyone to do their best work and have individual and collective impact. We believe in challenging the status quo and setting ambitious goals in the name of doing more good. We believe that being your best self and helping others do the same is how we bring our mission alive. Even if you don’t think you meet all the qualifications listed for the job, we would love to hear from you!

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, or if you are unable to apply through our recruitment portal, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are happy to assist and ensure you have an equal opportunity to apply.