Retail Production Associate

goodwillmiddletn; Union City (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Middle Tennessee in Union City, TN is seeking a Retail Production Associate to support store operations by preparing donated Softline and Hardline merchandise through sorting, pricing, and production activities.

You will work under store management to complete tasks, ensure quality, safety, and readiness for the sales floor, while aligning with Goodwill's mission. The role emphasizes teamwork, efficiency, and adherence to pricing and merchandise handling standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in retail, production, warehouse, or customer-facing roles preferred but not required.
• Ability to follow production processes, safety guidelines, and maintain quality.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process donated Softline and Hardline merchandise to be shop-ready.
• Sort, tag, price, and prepare items according to standards.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe production/backroom areas.
• Support daily production tasks and ensure merchandise is available for the sales floor.
• Follow safety guidelines and report hazards promptly.

Skills

Production processes

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Flexibility

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Pricing tools

Job description

Job Location: Union City

Job Summary:

The Retail Production Associate supports efficient store operations by preparing donated Softline and Hardline merchandise through accurate sorting, pricing, and production activities during assigned shifts. This role focuses on meeting quota driven production expectations while maintaining the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and safety, following established processes aligned with Goodwill's mission of Changing Lives through Education, Training, and Employment.

Under the direction of store management, this role focuses on consistent task completion and quality first production, supporting backroom and production operations to ensure merchandise is processed accurately, efficiently, and ready for the sales floor throughout the day, grounded in Goodwill's values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness, and Empowerment.

Essential Functions

Production & Merchandise Preparation

• Support the delivery of efficient, high-quality production output during assigned shifts by helping maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment.
• Accurately sort, tag, price, and prepare donated Softline and Hardline merchandise according to established production and quality standards.
• Work in a quota-driven production environment, consistently meeting productivity expectations while maintaining quality as the top priority.
• Use approved pricing tools or point-of-sale (POS) systems to ensure accurate and consistent pricing.
• Prepare merchandise to be shop-ready, ensuring accuracy, presentation, and compliance with established guidelines.
• Maintain organization, cleanliness, and safety across all production and backroom areas to support efficient workflow.
• Support store readiness by ensuring merchandise is processed accurately and available for timely placement on the sales floor.

Production Operations & Daily Workflow

• Complete assigned production tasks to support overall store readiness, sales, and inventory flow throughout the shift.
• Support opening and closing routines related to production and backroom operations to ensure consistent daily readiness.
• Assist with material movement, staging, and coordination between production, backroom, and sales floor areas as directed by store leadership.

Compliance, Safety & Operational Standards

• Follow all company policies, safety guidelines, and operational procedures during assigned shifts.
• Practice safe work behaviors, including proper lifting techniques and use of equipment and tools.
• Report hazards, injuries, equipment concerns, or quality issues to store leadership promptly.
• Follow production standards, pricing integrity, and merchandise handling procedures to support a safe, compliant, and high-quality operation.

Schedule & Flexibility

• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support overall store operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Skills

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.

Experience: Previous experience in retail, production, warehouse, or customer-facing roles preferred, but not required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to follow established production processes, procedures, and safety guidelines with consistency and attention to detail.
• Ability to work accurately in a quota-driven environment where quality is the top priority.
• Strong attention to detail for accurate sorting, pricing, and preparation of Softline and Hardline merchandise.
• Ability to remain focused while performing repetitive production tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and move items as required in a production and retail setting.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Education / Experience / Knowledge & Skills / Certifications & License

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience working in quota-driven or manufacturing-style production environments preferred.
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-volume environments with productivity expectations preferred.
• Prior nonprofit or mission-based retail experience is a plus.
• Experience using pricing tools, point-of-sale (POS) systems, or handling transactions preferred.
• Experience with task-based, repetitive work requiring consistency, accuracy, and quality control preferred.
• Bilingual language skills are preferred.