Seasonal Retail Gearhead / Sales Associate - Part Time (Backcountry)

Backcountry; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

A leading outdoor retail company in Chicago is seeking a Seasonal Retail Gearhead / Sales Associate. This part-time role involves providing exceptional customer service, assisting customers in selecting outdoor gear, and managing store operations during the holiday season. Ideal candidates have a passion for outdoor activities and strong communication skills. Flexibility to work during peak holidays is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college coursework preferred.
• Must be able to work two of the three major winter holidays.
• Passion for outdoor activities and knowledge of outdoor gear and apparel.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist customers with their purchases.
• Provide product information, advice, and recommendations.
• Process sales transactions accurately and efficiently.
• Maintain a clean and organized store environment.
• Manage inventory levels and restock merchandise.
• Participate in company-wide promotions and marketing campaigns.

Skills

Excellent communication and customer service skills

Strong attention to detail

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Basic computer skills

Knowledge of outdoor gear and apparel

Flexibility to work weekends and holidays

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Some college coursework preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Point-of-sale systems

Job description

Seasonal Retail Gearhead / Sales Associate (Part Time)

Join to apply for the Seasonal Retail Gearhead / Sales Associate (Part Time) role at Backcountry

At Backcountry, our mission is to connect people to their passions. Our five online stores—Backcountry, Level Nine Sports, Competitive Cyclist, MotoSport, and SteepandCheap—aim to supply our customers with the gear, knowledge, and inspiration necessary to get out there and chase down life’s greatest moments. We do this by providing the biggest and best assortment of premium outdoor products, a superior shopping experience, personalized Gearhead expertise, lightning-fast and accurate fulfillment, and inspirational, informative, and community-centered content.

The ideal candidate should have a passion for outdoor activities and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Seasonal Retail Gearhead (Sales Associate) to join our retail team for the holiday season (expected employment from November through February). The successful candidate will be responsible for providing exceptional customer service, generating sales, and helping customers find the right outdoor gear and apparel for their needs.

Holiday Availability: Must be able to work two of the three major winter holidays (Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Christmas, New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day).

What you get to do every day:

• Greet and assist customers with their purchases
• Provide product information, advice, and recommendations to customers
• Process sales transactions accurately and efficiently
• Maintain a clean and organized store environment
• Manage inventory levels and restock merchandise
• Participate in company-wide promotions and marketing campaigns
• Collaborate with the marketing and buying teams to ensure product offerings align with customer needs
• Continuously strive to improve customer satisfaction and exceed sales targets
• Develop and maintain knowledge of products, industry trends, and competitors
• Specialized knowledge in skiing, snowboarding, biking, climbing, fly fishing, or other outdoor sport preferred
• Outdoor industry and retail experience, nice to have
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager

What you bring to the role:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college coursework preferred
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings — especially during the November through February seasonal period
• Basic computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office and point-of-sale systems
• Passion for outdoor activities and knowledge of outdoor gear and apparel

Please note: AI tools are used in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

The CSC family of brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state or local laws.

Washington state applicants only: If you believe that this job posting does not comply with applicable Washington state law, please notify us by sending an email to [e-mail].

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The CSC family of brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail].

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