Outside Recovery Associate (Illinois)

Rural King; Peru (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match on contributions

Healthcare plans

15% associate discount

Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares hardship program

24/7 chaplaincy services

Company-paid YMCA membership

Job summary

Rural King is seeking an Outside Recovery Associate to assist customers by loading purchases into their vehicles and by handling outdoor merchandising tasks. The role also includes price verification, curb appeal maintenance, and supporting trunk-load outs in a fast-paced retail environment.

You will work with store teams to ensure a friendly, efficient checkout experience and comply with safety policies. Training and development opportunities are available to help you grow within Rural King.

Qualifications

• Ability to engage with team in fast-paced setting, show adaptability and initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear instructions.
• Demonstrated listening and response skills to customer inquiries and issues.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a professional context and work independently.
• Comfort with in-store computer systems, scanning tech, and wireless devices.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional customer service by loading purchases into customers' vehicles.
• Collect signatures for load out tickets to confirm transactions.
• Perform loading for customers from store to vehicles, ensuring safety.
• Maintain outdoor presentation per merchandising guide for easy shopping.
• Ensure accurate pricing of products for customer convenience.

Skills

Engaging with team

Excellent communication

Active listening

Decision making

Adaptability

Independent work

In-store tech

Tools

Telxon gun

Forklift

Pallet jack

Ladder

Job description

Overview

About us

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 150 locations across 17 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people‑first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

How we reward you

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%

Healthcare plans to support your needs

Virtual doctor visits

Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program

15% Associate Discount

Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

Company paid YMCA Family Membership

Responsibilities

What You’ll do

The purpose of the Outside Recovery Associate is to facilitate efficient management of various projects in our outdoor merchandising area, with a core emphasis on assisting customers in loading their vehicles post-purchase. In addition, the role involves activities such as pricing and zoning outdoor merchandise, unloading deliver trucks, gathering shopping carts, attending to customer inquiries, and maintaining a pristine exterior presentation of the store, ensuring a warm and inviting entry for our customers.

• Deliver exceptional customer service by assisting customers in loading their purchases into their vehicles.
• Collect customer signatures for load out tickets to confirm successful transactions.
• Perform “load outs” for customers from the store to their vehicles, ensuring safe loading and contributing to a seamless shopping experience.
• Adhere to the Outdoor Merchandising Guide to maintain consistent outside presentation that can be routinely shopped by our customers, and easily stocked and maintained by our associates.
• Ensure accurate pricing of products for customer convenience.
• Keep the parking lot, corral, and designated areas clean and well‑maintained.
• Zone outside merchandising spaces such as the load lanes, nurseries, bullpens, and front side walks during available intervals to maintain an orderly display.
• Use standard office equipment, including telephones, copiers, fax machines, calculators, and computers.
• Operate retail equipment such as the Telxon gun, forklift, pallet jack, ladder, and other tools.
• Participate in cross‑training for flexibility in various departments and responsibilities.
• Actively participate in learning initiatives offered such as training programs, workshops, and webinars. Leverage these opportunities to acquire new knowledge, refine existing skills, and stay current on the latest developments.
• Provide friendly, proactive, and professional internal and external support to others, assisting with inquiries, concerns, and issues promptly and effectively.
• Demonstrate behaviors that exemplify Rural King’s Values: People First, Integrity, Attitude, Initiative, Teamwork, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

Essential Qualities for Success

• Ability to be engaging with the team within a fast‑paced setting, displaying adaptability, proactivity, resourcefulness, and effectiveness.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey ideas, instructions, and information clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to actively listen, ask relevant questions, and provide thorough and articulate responses.
• Demonstrated experience making sound decisions in a professional context. Proven track record of evaluating options, considering relevant factors, and achieving desired outcomes.
• Demonstrate a high level of adaptability in response to changing priorities, unexpected challenges, and evolving business needs.
• Ability to operate independently without direct oversight.
• Ability to utilize in‑store computer systems, scanning technology, and wireless handheld devices.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull a minimum of 30-50 pounds repetitively.
• Ability to use a ladder, pallet jack, and/or a forklift.
• Ability to verbally communicate effectively and professionally with all audiences (in‑person or via handheld transceiver).
• Close vision for computer‑related activities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The pay range for this position is $15.00 - $18.30 per hour, with exact compensation determined by factors such as relevant geographic location, education, certifications, experience, job level, shift, and organizational needs. Eligible associates may also receive overtime pay in compliance with applicable laws. To learn more about our benefits, review here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:14539c15-191a-4b77-9c13-f6ccfce10094.

Min

USD $15.00/Hr.

Max

USD $18.30/Hr.