Seasonal Retail Associate

Columbia Sportswear Company; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Wellness time off

Employee assistance programs (EAP)

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company is seeking a Retail Associate in Richmond, VA. You will engage customers, apply product knowledge, and guide purchases while supporting store operations and brand storytelling.

Join a team that emphasizes growth, wellness time off, employee discounts on Columbia and sister brands, and comprehensive assistance programs. Flexible schedules and advancement opportunities are offered in a dynamic retail environment.

Qualifications

• No specific education required (High School Diploma or GED preferred).
• 2 (or less) years of experience in a position or specialization.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and experience engaging consumers and selling merchandise.
• Skill operating Inventory and Point of Sales (POS) systems, and various other retail software tools.
• 18 years of age or older.

Responsibilities

• Engages consumers in personalized conversation to understand their needs and preferences.
• Leverages product knowledge to make product recommendations and answer consumer questions.
• Use selling techniques and product features and benefits to influence buying decisions.
• Acts as a Brand Ambassador, sharing our Columbia Sportswear Brand story and embodying our Company values to enhance the consumer experience.
• Merchandises products tell compelling product stories that will influence consumer buying decisions.
• Restocks and maintains sales floor standards to ensure full product presentations and product accessibility.
• Performs required cash register transactions efficiently and accurately; engages consumer throughout the transaction and connects them to the company loyalty programs.
• Contributes to store inventory accuracy by receiving and processing incoming and outgoing products.
• Acquires necessary knowledge of store policies and day to day operations.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Customer engagement

Sales skills

Cash handling

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Flexible work schedules with opportunities for advancement. Wellness time off to support your health and wellness journey. Employee Discounts from all our brands including Columbia, prAna, Sorel, and Mountain Hardwear. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) provide access to free mental health services, financial services, discounts on fitness programs, and more! Fun, engaging, energetic team focused on helping you grow!

ABOUT THE POSITION

With over 430 retail stores worldwide, our associates are essential to our business. From ensuring product availability on the sales floor to creating eye-catching visual displays to addressing customer inquiries to running an efficient checkout process, our associates create memorable customer experiences while simultaneously assisting the Store Leadership team in supporting Columbia Sportswear Company’s mission of “Connecting Active People with Their Passions.” As a Retail Associate, you will serve as Brand Ambassadors for our Company, Brands, and our products. You will engage consumers to provide a personalized shopping experience and leverage your product knowledge to guide consumers to products that match their needs. Retail Associates share product features and benefits and our brand story to influence consumer buying decisions and inspire consumer brand loyalty. You will contribute to the profitability and performance of the store and assist the Store Leadership Team in supporting our company mission: “Connecting Active People with Their Passions.”

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Engages consumers in personalized conversation to understand their needs and preferences.
• Leverages product knowledge to make product recommendations and answer consumer questions.
• Use selling techniques and product features and benefits to influence buying decisions.
• Acts as a Brand Ambassador, sharing our Columbia Sportswear Brand story and embodying our Company values to enhance the consumer experience.
• Merchandises products tell compelling product stories that will influence consumer buying decisions.
• Restocks and maintains sales floor standards to ensure full product presentations and product accessibility.
• Performs required cash register transactions (e.g., sales, returns, and exchanges) efficiently and accurately; engages consumer throughout the transaction and connects them to the company loyalty programs.
• Contributes to store inventory accuracy by receiving and processing incoming and outgoing products accurately and efficiently.
• Acquires necessary knowledge of store policies, procedures, and programs to execute day to day operations.

YOU HAVE

• No specific education required (High School Diploma or GED preferred).
• 2 (or less) years of experience in a position or specialization.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and experience engaging consumers and selling merchandise.
• Skill operating Inventory and Point of Sales (POS) systems, and various other retail software tools.
• 18 years of age or older.

JOB CONDITIONS

Frequently in a more active environment (i.e., it requires the ability to constantly move about) that can be physical or strenuous (frequently adjusting/moving items weighing up to 40 lbs.). They may frequently use specialized equipment and may have exposure to dust and noise. Occasionally it requires the ability to work in place. Ability to communicate clearly with others. Availability to work a flexible retail schedule, which may change seasonally and in response to location‑specific business trends or forecasts. All local, state, and federal laws are adhered to when evaluating your availability.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

Hiring Range: $18.00 - $19.00 *Pay decisions are determined by multiple factors, including what the market is paying, a candidate’s capabilities and skills, years of experience ,and internal equity

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer temporary employees benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Employees must be age 18 and have worked 1,000 hours. We also offer generous employee discounts. Temporary employees are eligible for Wellness Time Off, which complies with all applicable state and local paid leave laws.

Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in designing, sourcing, marketing, and distributing outdoor and active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment. Our four primary brands — Columbia®, Mountain Hardwear®, SOREL® and prAna® — complement each other to address the diverse needs of active consumers and their products have gained an international reputation for their innovation, quality and performance. Learn more about our family of brands here.