Retail - Associate

SSA Group; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

On-Demand Pay Program

Meal Plan & Employee Discounts

401(k) with company match

Bereavement Leave

Holiday pay on holidays

Job summary

SSA Group's Detroit Zoo location in Royal Oak, MI is hiring a Retail Associate to support guest service and merchandise sales during fall, winter events, and regular zoo hours. You will engage guests, stock shelves, process transactions, and maintain a clean, organized counter area.

The role emphasizes teamwork, flexibility for nights, weekends, and holidays, and adherence to SSA's guest service standards. Prior experience not required; all education backgrounds eligible; equal opportunity

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Willingness to work varied hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Comfort with basic POS and cash handling tasks.
• All education backgrounds eligible; no advanced degree required.

Responsibilities

• Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently.
• Inform retail leadership when item quantities are low or on special requests.
• Stock shelves and merchandise displays; assist warehouse as needed.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Process transactions and balance cash drawer as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Cash handling

Flexibility

Multitasking

Tools

POS systems

Excel

Job description

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 21, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Adults 18+

Weekdays and Weekend availability (zoo open 7 days/week)

Upcoming Fall & Winter Events with evening hour opportunity

Zoo Boo (Fri-Sun nights in October)

Wild Lights (Various nights from mid-November thru January 3, 2027)

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.

Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America