Retail Associate

tsainternal; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued sick time

Vacation time

Holiday pay

Health benefits after 90 days

Job summary

The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Portage, MI is seeking a Retail Associate to deliver outstanding customer service, process donations, and manage sales at the register. You will help keep the store organized and welcoming for customers and donors.

This full-time role requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, with paid training and opportunities to grow retail skills within a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or currently pursuing.
• Ability to provide friendly customer service.
• Ability to process donated merchandise.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to stand and walk for most of the shift.
• Must be able to lift or move merchandise up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally.
• Experience preferred in retail or thrift stores.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service on the sales floor and donation area.
• Operate the Point-of-Sale system and handle cash accurately.
• Maintain a friendly, professional demeanor with customers and staff.
• Sort, tag, price, and prepare donated merchandise.
• Assist donors with donations and provide receipts.
• Stock and organize the sales floor and storage areas.
• Support opening and closing procedures.
• Assist with receiving and moving donations as assigned.
• Follow Salvation Army policies.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Punctuality

Communication

Computer skills

Teamwork

Flexible schedule

Stamina

Education

High school diploma

Tools

POS system

Job description

Retail Associate

Location: Portage, MI
Pay: $14.00 per hour
Job Type:Full-time
Schedule:40 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled
Benefits:Accrued sick and vacation time, holiday pay, and health benefits after 90 days.

About the Role

At The Salvation Army Thrift Store, your work helps turn donations into funding for programs that support people in our community. We are looking for a friendly, dependable Retail Associate to provide great customer service, keep the store organized, process donations, accept donations, and help create a welcoming shopping experience for customers and donors.

What You'll Do

• Maintain a friendly, professional demeanor with customers, donors, co-workers, leadership, and field personnel.
• Provide excellent customer service on the sales floor, at the donation area, and during all assigned store activities.
• Operate the Point-of-Sale system accurately, complete sales transactions, manage assigned cash drawer, and follow Salvation Army cash handling policies.
• Implement store opening and closing procedures as assigned.
• Assist donors with donations, provide receipts, collect required donor information, track donations according to center policy, and courteously communicate when items cannot be accepted.
• Sort, process, hang, tag, price, and prepare donated merchandise according to store production goals and assigned timelines.
• Identify and set aside items for eCommerce sales as assigned.
• Stock, straighten, clean, organize, and maintain the sales floor, work areas, donation area, and storage areas to support a safe and positive customer and donor experience. Move priced merchandise to the sales floor, display areas, stock areas, or designated shipping locations as assigned.
• Assist with receiving, loading, unloading, sorting, and moving donations or merchandise, including Salvation Army trucks, as assigned.
• Complete bank runs and other assigned duties in accordance with Salvation Army policy.
• Follow all Salvation Army policies regarding merchandise handling, pricing, sales, donor service, safety, dress code, and workplace conduct.
• Must be available for a flexible schedule, including early shifts, late shifts, Saturdays, some holidays, and temporary assignments to other stores if the need arises.
• Other duties as assigned.

Training Provided

• Paid training on register and store procedures
• Ongoing coaching and support from store leadership
• Opportunity to build retail and customer service skills

Why Join Us

• Mission-driven work that supports programs in your community
• On-the-job training
• Team-oriented environment
• Employee Discount, Employee Assistance Program, and more!

What You Need

Required

• Ability to provide friendly customer service
• Ability to process donated merchandise
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Basic communication and teamwork skills
• Basic math and computer skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Ability to stand and walk for most of the shift
• Ability to bend, reach, and lift or move merchandise throughout the day
• High school diploma or currently pursuing

Preferred

• Previous retail, cashier, customer service, or thrift store experience
• Experience using a point-of-sale system

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Occasionally lift and move up to 100 pounds
• Stand for extended periods
• Walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch as needed
• Work in various weather conditions (outdoor exposure)

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are returning to work, U.S. Veterans, people with disabilities, people impacted by the justice system, and people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.