Thrift Shop Associate - MCC Powell River

Job Synopsis

JOB MISSION STATEMENT

MCC BC is a non-profit organization with Thrift Shops that generate revenue to support MCC's world-changing relief, development, and peace work by offering affordable treasures to thrifty British Columbians. Thrift Shops are also an important way that MCC BC invites our communities, as customers, volunteers, and employees, into our work. As a Thrift Shop Associate, your retail experience helps you efficiently receive, process and merchandise donated products and serve customers with speed and friendliness.

JOB SUMMARY Working in MCC BC’s Powell River MCC Thrift Shop in Powell River, British Columbia, reporting to the Manager, Thrift Shop and under the day-to-day supervision of the Shop’s leadership team, the Thrift Shop Associate assists in all aspects of the shop’s “back-of-house” and “front-of-house” operations. Back-of-house responsibilities may include receiving, warehousing, processing/sorting, preparing, pricing, staging and organizing and tidying the retail floor. Front-of-house responsibilities may include providing cash and customer service duties, adding and stocking inventory, merchandising & marketing, and tidying and organizing the retail floor. Working in the receiving area, warehouse, and on the retail floor, the Thrift Shop Associate collaborates with volunteers, colleague employees and shop leaders to create a compelling MCC BC Thrift experience.  You’ll work directly with customers, volunteers, employees, donors and members of the community in a manner that reflects Christian integrity, exemplifying the beliefs, values, and mission of Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia in the workplace.

MISSIONAL COMMITMENT, HOURS, LOCATION, & WORKING CONDITIONS

Missional commitment: this role requires a demonstrated commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. This role commits the employee to working collaboratively to create and maintain an organizational culture that prevents and responds to situations of abuse of power (sexual harassment, child abuse, racism, exploitation, and fraud among other situations). This role participates in devotional and prayer times at MCC BC and/or at local church and faith gatherings, being prepared to answer inquiries about MCC BC’s mission and values. This role contributes to a positive workplace culture based on Christian beliefs and values, while modelling nonviolent peacemaking in the workplace, in the community and the church through respectful interactions with others. This role requires adherence to MCC BC’s Code of Conduct, policies, practices, and procedures, including Workplace Health and Safety.

How much you work: this is a part-time salaried position working 32 hours per week. Supporting special organizational initiatives may require working extended, after or holiday hours, as necessary.

When you work: regular retail hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.  Work shifts will begin prior to or extend later than retail hours. This role may require extended, after or holiday hours to support shop needs, issues or special organizational initiatives, as necessary.

Where you work: this position is located at MCC BC’s MCC BC’s Powell River MCC Thrift Shop in Powell River, British Columbia. On occasion, training and meetings may require travel to other MCC BC locations within British Columbia.

Pace of work: this position requires working in a comfortable but fast-paced retail shop/shipping & receiving environment. You may be met with multiple demands at once from customers, volunteers and employees; responding positively and adroitly throughout.

Physical conditions and requirements: this position works primarily inside the store, but may work outside as circumstances require, in all types of weather, to assist customers or assist with store operations. Appropriate footwear is required; some duties may require the wearing of personal protective equipment. This position requires spending a significant portion of time on one’s feet, handling goods, and lifting and moving objects up to 50 lbs.

Interactions with vulnerable populations: as a busy retail location, and following MCC BC safety and de-escalation protocols, this position may require occasional interactions with drug-addicted and street-involved persons, or individuals who are members of vulnerable populations.

Job Details

Salaried Employee -Part Time at .8 FTE

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Be positive, adaptable, honest, communicate well, work hard, and be willing to learn

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & ACCREDITATIONS

Minimum of 1 year of relevant thrift, customer service and/or retail experience

Knowledge of the second-hand merchandise market & basic ability to assess quality of clothing, housewares, and furniture is an asset

JOB REQUIREMENTS & LICENSING

Satisfactory criminal record check

Legally eligible to work in Canada

Wear situation-suitable clothing and personal protective equipment

Key Responsibilities

BACK OF HOUSE OPERATIONS

Receiving: welcome inventory donors, assisting them with unloading donations, assessing the suitability of donations, pre-sorting for efficient storage or disposal, and maintaining a tidy, safe and welcoming receiving area.

Warehousing: ensure inventory is stored efficiently, safely and within the systems, processes and places established by shop leaders.

Inventory processing, sorting and pricing: sort, classify, assess and price all types of inventory using the systems, processes and procedures established by shop leaders.

Inventory preparing and repairing: in collaboration with volunteers and colleagues, clean, fix and maintain inventory in preparation for storing or merchandising.

Inventory staging: prepare and place merchandise for movement onto the retail floor.

Tidying and organizing: ensure that back-of-house areas, including receiving areas, warehouse, staging areas and common areas are organized, clean, well-maintained to achieve MCC BC standards of tidiness, organization and optimal efficiency.

FRONT OF HOUSE OPERATIONS

Customer assistance: provide service and assistance directly to customers and donors on the retail floor, at the Customer Service desk, change rooms, at check-out and on the phone.

Cash handling and check out: assist with check out services and processes, including customer service and assistance, cash handling, till systems, balancing, and error handing.

Inventory stocking and merchandising: ensure displays, fixtures and shelves have adequate, attractive, appropriate and well-organized inventory for purchase, moving from back-of-house staging areas as appropriate.

Tidying and organizing: ensure that front-of-house areas, including the merchandise floor, till areas, vestibules, change rooms, and customer washrooms are organized, clean, well-maintained to achieve MCC BC standards of tidiness, organization and optimal customer experience.

Special displays and merchandizing: create and maintain special floor and window displays, including floor layout, inventory selection, signage, seasonal themes, and special features.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Store presentation: assist with maintaining, including tidying and minor repairs, of the shop’s interior and exterior spaces to achieve MCC BC standards of tidiness, organization and optimal customer experience.

Store safety: assist in resolving any conflicts arising with customers or volunteers in a manner that reflects MCC BC’s values for peaceful and respectful conflict resolution.

Opening and closing: assist with store opening and closing procedures, including acting independently to prepare the shop’s spaces and employee and volunteer teammates to begin and end the business day.

Merchandising specialty inventory: identify and effectively merchandize unique, high-quality, high-value or collectible inventory, including vintage, boutique or collectible items.

TEAM PARTICIPATION

Demonstrate MCC BC’s commitment to Christian mission, values, behaviours and approaches as defined in the qualifications, in all formal and informal interactions with any stakeholder.

Support volunteers and colleague employees, proactively providing assistance as required in back-of-house and front-of-house areas.

Demonstrate active participation in team meetings, including morning devotions and prayers with volunteers and colleague employees and assisting with team events, when requested.

Challenges

Work requires healthy boundaries;Diverse group of stakeholders;Physically demanding work;Occasional evening and weekend work

Start Date

16 Oct, 2026 - may be adjusted, or until suitable candidate is identified.

Term Length

9 months

Salary Details

- $22.83-$24.66 per hour. Placement within the salary range will be based on qualifications.

Benefits

Comprehensive Group Benefits package is provided on Day 1 of employment: Extended Medical/Dental/Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Life Insurance, AD&D, travel insurance/global medical assistance, and a 5% RRSP matching. Generous vacation and sick day allowance, and Employee Assistance Program supports staff wellness.

Additional Information

Other duties as assigned.

Location Description

This position is located at MCC BC’s Powell River MCC Thrift Shop in Powell River, British Columbia. On occasion, training and meetings may require travel to other MCC BC locations within British Columbia