Union Store Associate

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:
POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:
The role provides service to customers, sorting incoming product and assists in the ongoing retail operations of The Salvation Army Thrift Store.

This position is located at 563 Highland Road West, Kitchener, ON, N2M 5K2

ACCOUNTABILITIES:
The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar range of duties.

1. Operations
• Greet and interact with customers/donors in a positive, friendly, and courteous manner.
• Contribute to meeting store sales targets; provide efficient courteous customer service; use tact when dealing with difficult customers.
• Be knowledgeable regarding product pricing and featured sale products; protect the integrity of all donated items.
• Maintain store opening and closing procedures as required.
• Responsible for accurate completion of all customer transactions including cash and debit sales with minimal voids, overages, or shortages.
• Adhere to store policy regarding cheques, credit cards, refunds, voids, and holds.
• Process raw materials by loading/unloading, sorting, packing, hanging, pricing, and storing donations.
• Possess knowledge of stock in order to respond to customer enquiries by phone/in person.
• Pay attention to store security, by monitoring activity within the store.
• Assist with store layout plans to attract customers, which would include window displays and merchandise displays; displays and merchandise displays; ensures attractiveness of the store through “Tidy Maintenance:”.
• Contribute to the control of inventory by retrieving, sorting, hanging, and pricing as directed.
• Assist with donation turnover, replenish inventory levels on the sales floor and remove inventory from sales floor as directed.
• Handle the merchandise in a safe and organized manner; assist in stock rotation; bagging textiles to be recycled and placing metal recycling in the appropriate location.
• Assist donors with their contributions, unload donations and place stock in appropriate location.
• Maintain the proper sorting and processing of goods, ensure compliance with quality standards; that all products are priced correctly as per store policy.
• Perform other duties as required.

2. Health and Safety
• Contribute to the safety of staff and customers (e.g., snow removal, clear fire exits, clean spillage; no obstacles inside/outside the store).
• Maintain an attractive organized and safe appearance of the store, tidy up and restock shelves, clean, sweep, dust, and mop as necessary; on a rotational basis clean the lunchroom, washroom, and other common areas.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:
Clarification of Information. Conducts Routine Interactions.
Internal: Store Manager, Corps Officer(s), volunteers, staff
External: Guests, vendors

MANAGERIAL/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reports directly to the Store Manager.
Direct reports: None.

FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL MANAGEMENT:
• Moderate material responsibilities.
• Uses or maintains organization assets in accordance with established guidelines.
• Does not process any financial transactions with no budget responsibilities.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS:
• This is a permanent part-time position. Must have daytime availability during the week
• Work schedule may vary from week to week and will include weekdays and/or Saturdays.
• This job requires the ability to stand for long periods with frequent twisting, bending, crouching, and reaching is required; the ability to lift/move 30 pounds.
• The incumbent must take the following precautionary measures in addition to health and safety rules and regulations such as universal precautions, i.e., wearing gloves when working with unknown contents.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
Alternative combination of education and Experience may be considered.

 
Education, Qualifications and Certifications:
• Completion of some high school course work.
• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

 
Experience and Knowledge:
• Have a few months of experience in processing or distribution of goods or customer service.
• Knowledge of lifting guidelines.
• Cash handling experience is required.
• Experience with cash registers and related processes and procedures i.e., bank deposits, summary reports, etc.
• Product brand awareness would be an asset.
• Experience working in a computerized environment.

 
Skills and Capabilities:
• Attention to detail.
• Self-motivated/disciplined.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and participate as an active and responsible team member in a cooperative team environment.
• Must have good interpersonal and communication skills (oral).
• Physically capable of lifting/carrying up to 29 lbs on a frequent basis with no assistance from others, which includes bending, twisting, pulling, pushing of products.
Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion.

Compensation:
The target hiring range for this position is $18.35 to $18.35 with a maximum of $18.35.Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.