Part-Time Customer Experience Associate

Flinn; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Flinn Scientific is seeking a part-time Customer Experience associate to handle inquiries via phone, email, and live chat, and to process quotes, orders, and payments. The role requires on-site work at headquarters in Batavia, IL, with seasonal hours and a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

The ideal candidate has strong communication skills, data entry proficiency, and the ability to learn new systems quickly. Prior customer service or hospitality experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Proficient in computer systems, including data entry, internet navigation, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree preferred
• Prior experience in customer service, retail, or hospitality environments preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to learn new systems and processes in a structured environment
• Demonstrated ability to stay organized and manage multiple tasks

Responsibilities

• Handle customer inquiries across phone, email, and live chat. No scripts--just real conversations with real people.
• Produce quotes and place orders to ensure timely, accurate service
• Process credit card payments in compliance with PCI standards
• Set up and maintain new customer accounts within our CRM, including school and district linkages
• Coordinate with suppliers to expedite orders and arrange shipments using the most efficient and cost-effective methods - across finished goods, bulk, and repack supply items
• Perform back-office tasks and ad-hoc requests as needed

Skills

Data entry

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Flinn Scientific is the industry leader in enabling science teachers to inspire young minds. Our Customer Experience team is the heartbeat of our company and we need someone who genuinely enjoys helping people, can think on their feet, and takes pride in finding solutions. If you love talking with people, digging into a problem, and walking away knowing you made a teacher's day easier, this might be the right fit. This role has real depth to it. The more you learn, the more valuable you become.

Because our business is seasonal, hours will flex with demand. Part-time team members typically work around 20 hours per week during slower months (November - June), increasing to 30 hours in July and October and 40 hours in August and September.

Responsibilities

• Handle customer inquiries across phone, email, and live chat. No scripts--just real conversations with real people.
• Produce quotes and place orders to ensure timely, accurate service
• Process credit card payments in compliance with PCI standards
• Set up and maintain new customer accounts within our CRM, including school and district linkages
• Coordinate with suppliers to expedite orders and arrange shipments using the most efficient and cost-effective methods - across finished goods, bulk, and repack supply items
• Perform back-office tasks and ad-hoc requests as needed

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently delivers accurate and timely resolutions, minimizing errors in orders, quotes, and account setup
• Effectively manages high volumes of customer interactions while maintaining quality and professionalism
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently after training, confidently navigating systems and processes
• Prioritizes and adapts workload to meet changing demands, especially during peak seasons
• Exercises sound judgment in ambiguous situations, balancing policy with a customer-first approach
• Takes full ownership of customer issues, ensuring follow-through and closure
• Collaborates effectively with internal teams to resolve issues quickly and reduce delays
• Shows continuous improvement by applying feedback and avoiding repeated mistakes

Qualifications

• Proficient in computer systems, including data entry, internet navigation, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree preferred
• Prior experience in customer service, retail, or hospitality environments preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to learn new systems and processes in a structured environment
• Demonstrated ability to stay organized and manage multiple tasks

This position is based primarily at our headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, with the expectation of being onsite 100% of the time, depending on the needs of the business. The role operates in a collaborative, team-oriented office environment, with regular in-person interaction and planning. The workspace is shared and dynamic, with a steady flow of meetings, conversations, and cross-functional collaboration.

Physical Requirements

This role is fully on-site and requires continuous in-person interaction with customers and team members. Candidates should be comfortable standing and walking for extended periods, supporting daily operations in a fast-paced environment. The position includes regular movement across the facility and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds, while maintaining a professional and energetic presence.

How We Work: The Flinn Formula

Success at Flinn isn't just about what you achieve, but how you achieve it. Our cultural framework, the Flinn Formula, defines the behaviors that fuel our transformation:

• Solution-Oriented: You don't just flag problems, you propose paths forward.
• Curious: You ask "why" and "what if," pushing for smarter ways to work.
• Customer-Obsessed: You keep educators and students at the heart of every decision.
• Collaborative: You bring people together, even when perspectives differ.
• Resilient: You stay steady and push through challenges with urgency and grit.
• Invested: You own outcomes, follow through, and hold others to the same standard.

These behaviors are not aspirational, they are core expectations. Consistent misalignment with the Flinn Formula is considered a performance issue.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We value diversity and believe it strengthens our team and the communities we serve.