Store Associate

Overview

The Salvation Army, a faith-based organization with over 130 years of service in Canada and Bermuda, assists over two million individuals annually by providing essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter. In addition to these services, the organization supports individuals facing unemployment, addiction, and family challenges, emphasizing hope, dignity, service, and stewardship in its mission.

Position Summary

The Store Associate contributes to retail operations at The Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 1551 Cedar Hill X, Victoria, BC. The role primarily involves delivering excellent customer service, managing donations, and supporting store sales and organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome and engage customers and donors with friendliness and professionalism.
• Support achievement of store sales targets by providing efficient and courteous service, managing difficult situations tactfully.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of pricing and promotional products while ensuring the integrity of all donated items.
• Oversee store opening and closing procedures as needed.
• Handle customer transactions accurately, including cash and debit payments, minimizing errors.
• Adhere strictly to store policies regarding refunds, voids, credits, and holds.
• Manage donation processing activities such as unloading, sorting, pricing, hanging, packing, and storing items.
• Be well-informed about stock to respond effectively to customer inquiries in person or by phone.
• Ensure store security by monitoring activities within the premises.
• Assist in creating appealing store layouts, window displays, and maintaining tidy maintenance standards to enhance store attractiveness.
• Contribute to inventory control through sorting, retrieval, pricing, and replenishment of merchandise.
• Carefully handle stock, including safe rotation, bagging textiles for recycling, and proper placement of recyclable materials.
• Help donors with unloading and organizing donations appropriately.
• Maintain quality standards by ensuring proper sorting, processing, and pricing of goods according to policy.
• Execute additional assigned duties to support store operations.
• Promote health and safety by ensuring clear fire exits, clean spills, and obstacle-free areas inside and outside the store.
• Participate in routine cleaning and upkeep, including sweeping, dusting, mopping, and maintaining common areas.
• Comply with OH&S legislation and The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies.

Working Conditions

• This is a permanent full-time position.
• Work schedules may vary weekly and include weekdays and Saturdays.
• The role requires standing for extended periods and physical activities such as bending, twisting, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 30 pounds.
• Employees must follow universal precautions, including wearing gloves when handling unknown materials.

Qualifications

• Completion of some high school coursework; alternative education and experience combinations may be considered.
• Several months’ experience in customer service or goods processing/distribution.
• Familiarity with cash handling and operating cash registers, including related procedures like bank deposits and report preparation.
• Awareness of product brands is advantageous.
• Experience using computerized systems in a work environment.
• Understanding and adherence to the mission and values of The Salvation Army.

Skills

• Strong attention to detail.
• Self-motivation and discipline with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Effective oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Physical capability to lift and carry up to 29 pounds frequently with proper body mechanics, including bending and pushing.
• Ability to successfully undergo required background and screening checks.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is from $18.25 to $21.74 per hour, with a maximum rate of $25.23, determined based on market conditions, internal equity, and individual qualifications.

Accommodations

The Salvation Army is committed to providing reasonable accommodations upon request to applicants with needs.