Senior Office Assistant

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 49,593,600 - 52,348,800; Part time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Senior Office Assistant for the Merchandising Operations department. The Senior Office Assistant leads customer-facing retail operations for Michigan Tech's Campus Store and University Images.

This on-floor leader resolves customer issues, supports merchandising execution, and ensures efficient store operations. The role requires a high school diploma, 1 year in customer service or retail, advanced computer skills, and willingness to work evenings,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; a bachelor's degree is desirable.
• Experience in customer service or retail settings preferred.
• Ability to supervise student employees and lead operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer-facing retail operations and provide on-floor supervision.
• Oversee daily store activities, open/close procedures, and checkout processes.
• Supervise student employees, coach performance, and reinforce training.
• Operate POS systems, balance cash and maintain floor standards.
• Support inventory, merchandising, and e-commerce fulfillment as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Communication

Attention to detail

Team supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related field (desirable)

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Senior Office Assistant for our Merchandising Operations department. The Senior Office Assistant leads customer-facing retail operations for Michigan Tech's Merchandising Operations. The role is responsible for ensuring an exceptional customer experience, maintaining sales floor standards, and providing functional supervision to student employees during daily operations at the Campus Store and University Images. This position serves as a key on-floor leader, resolving customer issues, supporting merchandising execution, and ensuring efficient store operations.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

Customer Experience & Leadership

• Provide outstanding customer service in a professional, friendly, and inclusive manner
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer concerns, resolving issues independently, and elevating issues as necessary
• Lead daily floor operations, ensuring appropriate coverage and responsiveness to customer needs
• Open and close store locations in accordance with established procedures

Student Employee Supervision

• Provide functional supervision to student employees during shifts
• Offer real-time coaching and guidance to support performance and service standards
• Assist with onboarding support and reinforcement of training expectations

Retail Operations

• Operate point-of-sale systems, process transactions, and balance cash drawers
• Monitor and maintain cleanliness, organization, and visual standards of the sales floor and stockrooms Restock merchandise and ensure product availability on the sales floor

Inventory & Fulfillment

• Execute inventory transfers between store locations, including system entry and physical transport
• Assist with receiving, stocking, and organizing merchandise to ensure inventory is distributed appropriately
• Support e-commerce operations by preparing, packing, and shipping orders

Merchandising Support

• Audit merchandise and recommend items for markdown
• Execute approved markdowns, including system updates and tagging
• Maintain and support visual merchandising standards

Collaboration & Support

• Assist with inventory counts and operational projects
• Provide coverage for sales floor and operational needs as required
• Serve as departmental website backup, including, but not limited to, updating store hours, adding announcements, and promoting events.
• Assist with critical Auxiliary Business Services events and operational needs during non-peak times, providing cross-functional support across auxiliary venues and programs as directed

Continuous Improvement & Compliance

• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and Lean practices and integrating them into daily retail operations. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• High school diploma or equivalent

Required Experience

• One year of experience in customer service or retail, office, or administrative support
• Advanced computer skills

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, sociology, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Experience operating point-of-sale systems and handling financial transactions
• Experience in a college or university bookstore environment
• Valid U.S. Driver's license and eligibility under University vehicle use requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays for athletic and university events
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and guide student employees during operations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to work independently and in coordination with others, including, but not limited to, the ability to work at any assigned location
• Ability to operate basic office equipment, including personal computer, photocopy machine, printer, scanner, fax machine, and calculator
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Proficient in Gmail, Google Suite
• Demonstrated ability to work with teams and collaborate
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints
• Advanced computer skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
* Frequent sitting, standing, and walking
* Use of multi-screen computer systems for extended periods
* Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds with assistance
* Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch
* Peak workload periods are aligned with academic terms

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

• Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training
• Background Check: Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

.75

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

Contractual. External candidates will receive the minimum amount $17.76hr

Title of Position Supervisor

General Manager

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

No

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

UAW Posting - 07/22/2026 - 07/28/2026 External Applicants are encouraged to apply, however internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or [e-mail].

Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.