Production Pre-Sort - Western Headquarters - FT

Goodwill Industries Group; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Industries Group in South Bend, IN is seeking a full-time Donation Sorter to perform the initial sorting of donated materials and to ensure proper categorization for processing downstream.

You will sort soft goods, bundle shoes, and place items on appropriate tables, while following safety procedures and store guidelines. The role emphasizes accuracy, speed, and teamwork in a busy environment.

Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Flexible availability.
• Able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Willing to learn donation policies and store guidelines.
• Basic safety awareness and ability to follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial sorting of donated materials from crates, cages, carts, boxes, and barrels.
• Sort soft goods into hampers and transport them to designated areas.
• Pair and rubber-band shoes before placing them in barrels.
• Place wares, toys, and holiday items on dump tables; pass metal items to Wares Processors.
• Ensure sellable metal objects (copper, brass, aluminum, steel) are salvaged.
• Sort E&M items into wooden carts.
• Categorize books, records, tapes, CDs, and DVDs into designated carts or barrels.
• Place jewelry in designated containers.
• Dispose of unsellable or hazardous materials in designated bins.
• Clean and sweep crates, cages, and workstations to maintain a clutter-free environment.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Customer service

Friendly demeanor

Attention to detail

Learning ability

Safety awareness

Fast-paced work

Teamwork & communication

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Western Headquarters - South Bend, IN 46619
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: None
Salary Range: $11.00 Hourly
Travel Percentage: None
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Manufacturing

Job Objective

To perform the initial sort of all donations, separating material into proper categories for processing in other departments and properly disposing of all non‑saleable items. This position reports to the Production Manager who evaluates performance annually.In addition, embodies the Goodwill Mission to: “Empower people to achieve their most abundant life” and upholds the Company Core Values of: Relentless Pursuit of Excellence, Customer-First Mindset, Humble Confidence, Passion for Mission, and Do the Right Thing.

Essential Job Functions

• Perform initial sorting of donated materials from crates, cages, carts, boxes, and barrels.
• Sort soft goods into hampers and transport them to designated areas.
• Pair and rubber‑band shoes before placing them in barrels.
• Place wares, toys, and holiday items on dump tables; pass metal items to Wares Processors.
• Ensure sellable metal objects (copper, brass, aluminum, steel) are salvaged.
• Sort E&M (electrical and mechanical) items into wooden carts.
• Categorize books, records, tapes, CDs, and DVDs into designated carts or barrels.
• Place jewelry in designated containers.
• Dispose of unsellable or hazardous materials in designated bins.
• Clean and sweep crates, cages, and workstations to maintain a clutter‑free environment.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Education and Skills

• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage positively with donors, express gratitude, and create a welcoming experience.
• Friendly and approachable demeanor, demonstrating patience and professionalism in all interactions.
• Strong attention to detail when sorting, inspecting, and pricing donated items to ensure quality, proper categorization, and compliance with store guidelines.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply donation policies, including identifying acceptable and non‑acceptable items.
• Basic understanding of safety protocols, including proper lifting techniques, hazard awareness, and workplace safety procedures to prevent injuries and ensure a secure environment.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced setting while maintaining accuracy and organization.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues and supervisors.

Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Flexible availability.
• Able to frequently bend, twist, reach above shoulder level, push and pull, crouch or stoop, kneel, repetitively use feet, and use head and neck in a twisting or static motion and to look up and/or down, and lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.