Thrift Retail Store Associate

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey; New Jersey; On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement matching programs

Transit and commuter benefit

Job summary

Goodwill Greater New York and Northern New Jersey is seeking a Thrift Store Associate in Bound Brook, NJ. This full-time role involves receiving donations, sorting, tagging, pricing, and preparing merchandise for the sales floor.

You will stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and help organize stock, handle e-commerce items, and assist customers. Prior retail or donation experience is a plus, with a focus on safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior experience in customer service, donation processing, retail, or warehouse environments is a plus.
• Ability to provide friendly, respectful service to a diverse donor and customer population.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operational guidelines.
• Comfortable performing physical tasks, including lifting, sorting, and standing for extended periods.
• Basic communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Sort, grade, and inspect donations for quality and condition.
• Tag and price merchandise according to company standards.
• Prepare items on rolling racks and carts for transport to the sales floor.
• Organize and separate items for e-commerce and clearance departments, labeling goods.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain a clean, secure work environment.
• Provide excellent customer and donor service, including receipts and donation area upkeep.
• Support Goodwill’s mission by maximizing efficiency in daily tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Goodwill Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (GWNYNJ) believes that the power of work and sustainable fashion is how we unlock the good in our communities. For over 100 years, we have helped people get jobs, stay employed, and progress in careers across New York and Northern New Jersey. We believe that diversity drives innovation and strengthens our workplace. We are committed to fostering our inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and abilities.

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc.

Position Title:

Thrift Store Associate

Location:

Bound Brook, New Jersey

Benefit Classification:

Hourly

Position Type:

Full-Time

Join our team and be part of something meaningful. Here, your work creates opportunities for yourself and for others in the community.

The Thrift Store Associate is a fast-paced production role responsible for receiving donations and preparing them for sale. The role includes sorting, tagging, pricing, and preparing merchandise for the sales floor. The position requires the ability to stand for extended periods and to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds while working with a high volume of inventory. Maintaining stockroom organization, ensuring quality control, and following safety standards are essential to success in this role.

The Awesome Things You’ll Do

• Sort, grade, and inspect donations (textiles, housewares, electronics, shoes, and accessories) for quality and condition.
• Tag and price merchandise according to company standards, meeting production goals per hour).
• Prepare items on rolling racks and carts for transport to the sales floor, meeting company standards for full fixtures.
• Organize and separate items for e-commerce and clearance departments, accurately labeling all goods
• Follow safety procedures and operational guidelines to maintain a clean and secure work environment.
• Provide excellent customer and donor service, including accepting donations, issuing receipts, and ensuring the donation area remains neat and organized when needed.
• Support Goodwill’s mission by maximizing efficiency and productivity in daily tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team and broader organizational goals.

Schedule

• This is a full-time role, requiring Weekdays and some weekends
• Flexibility in your availability is essential to meet the needs of the business which operates Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 9:00pm.

Safety Guidelines

This role involves handling pre-owned merchandise, which may contain allergens, dust, or other substances. Goodwill provides training, protective equipment, and follows safety protocols to ensure a clean and secure work environment. Employees must follow all safety guidelines and report concerns to management.

Our Must Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior experience in customer service, donation processing, retail, or warehouse environments is a plus.
• Ability to provide friendly, respectful service to a diverse donor and customer population.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operational guidelines.
• Comfortable performing physical tasks, including lifting, sorting, and standing for extended periods.
• Basic communication and teamwork skills.

What We Offer

• Generous time off policy to use when you need it
• Health, wellness, and financial resources to help you achieve your personal goals
• Robust health benefits including medical, dental, vision, parental leaves, and company-sponsored life insurance
• Retirement matching programs and contributions
• Transit and commuter benefit

We believe in creating space for everyone to do their best work and have individual and collective impact. We believe in challenging the status quo and setting ambitious goals in the name of doing more good. We believe that being your best self and helping others do the same is how we bring our mission alive. Even if you don’t think you meet all the qualifications listed for the job, we would love to hear from you!