Thrift Store Associate

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey; New York (NY); On-site; USD 19,286 - 24,796; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey is hiring a Thrift Store Associate in Middletown, NY. This full-time, on-site role involves receiving donations, sorting, tagging, pricing, and preparing items for the sales floor.

The position requires the ability to stand for long periods and to lift up to 50 pounds, with safety protocols and teamwork emphasized. You’ll support e-commerce and in-store operations while delivering friendly donor and customer service.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in customer service, donation processing, retail or warehouse settings 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 and production goals per hour.
• Prepare items on rolling racks and carts for transport to the sales floor.
• Organize and separate items for e-commerce and clearance, labeling goods.
• Follow safety procedures and operational guidelines to maintain a clean, secure work environment.
• Provide excellent customer and donor service, including receipts and neat donation area.
• Support Goodwill’s mission by maximizing efficiency and daily task productivity.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team and organizational goals.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Safety procedures

Physical endurance

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: Middletown, New York

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.

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, or if you are unable to apply through our recruitment portal, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are happy to assist and ensure you have an equal opportunity to apply.