Retail - Associate

SSA Group; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-Demand Pay Program

Meal Plan & Employee Discounts

401(k) with company match

Bereavement Leave

Holiday pay

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SSA Group operates at the Houston Zoo, delivering hospitality through admissions, culinary, and retail experiences. The Retail Associate role focuses on helping guests, maintaining a clean environment, handling cash, stocking merchandise, and supporting promotional initiatives.

The position requires strong communication, teamwork, and flexibility to work varied hours, including nights and weekends. Training emphasizes SSA EXTRA Guest Service and sustainable practices across locations.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Thrive in a team environment while having the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and implement written and verbal instructions.
• Computer knowledge and skill level basic POS systems, and Excel.
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs).
• Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently.
• Inform retail leadership when item quantities are low or a special request is needed; work with warehouse to pull and fill items.
• Relay customer comments to supervisor.
• Maintain clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Fulfill SSA EXTRA Guest Service steps to ensure a memorable guest experience.
• Merchandise products to maximize sales and promote promotions.
• Support sustainability/conservation initiatives and community engagement at unit level.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Ability to follow instructions

POS system knowledge

Excel basic

Flexibility

Tools

POS system

Excel

Job description

Houston Zoo, 1513 Cambridge, Houston, Texas, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Who are we :

At SSA, we believe our work matters because the people do. For more than 50 years, we've helped create experiences that leave people feeling connected, inspired, and reminded that fun still matters.

Whether you're looking for your first job, building your career, or bringing years of experience to a new role, you'll be part of a team that values your ideas, supports your growth, and encourages you to make an impact. More than 54% of our leaders are promoted from within, reflecting our commitment to investing in people and creating opportunities to succeed.

Retail Associate

Who are we:

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey. Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Position Title: Retail Associate

Reports to: Retail Supervisor(s), Assistant Retail Operations Manager, and Retail Operations Manager

Responsibilities

Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently.

Inform retail leadership in a timely manner when item quantities are low or special request. Working with warehouse team to pull & fill items as necessary.

Relay relevant comments received from customers directly to supervisor.

Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.

Uphold company policies and procedures.

Perform the steps of SSA EXTRA Guest Service to ensure a memorable experience for every guest and client.

Check and stock supplies in counter area, floor display, floor stands and cabinets neatly, accurately, and in a timely fashion.

Clean tables, chairs, equipment as needed.

Keep counter and floor in work or service area clean and free of debris.

Maintain balanced cash drawer as assigned.

Perform other related duties, tasks, and responsibilities as assigned from time to time.

Merchandise product to maximize sales.

Increase sales by promotional items or suggestive selling.

Supports unit in being an example for Company & Client guidelines with regard to Sustainability/Conservation efforts. Displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.

Supports SSA / Unit in driving community effort through hiring efforts, engagement activities, and focus on opportunities of giving back.

Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.

Job Requirements

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Thrive in a team environment while having the ability to work independently and demonstrated flexibility in a fast-paced environment.

Demonstrated ability to understand and implement written and verbal instructions.

Computer knowledge and skill level basic POS systems, and excel.

Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.

Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging

Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units

Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels

Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary

Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back

Previous Experience

None required.

All education backgrounds eligible.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. The Company reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)

Compensation and Benefits

• Eligible for overtime pay.
• On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
• Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
• Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
• Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
• Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
• Holiday pay of 1.5× the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day .
• Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado : Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked , up to 48 hours per year , under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked , up to 40 hours per year , as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington : Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked , in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

OFFICE USE ONLY:

#LI-DNI

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.

Houston Zoo, 1513 Cambridge, Houston, Texas, United States of America