Retail Associate

About the role

As a Retail Associate, you serve as a brand ambassador and ensure exceptional in-store experiences through positive customer interaction. You’ll employ your natural problem-solving and sales abilities to answer customer questions and make compelling product recommendations while supporting Columbia Sportswear Company’s values to enhance customer service and teamwork. With over 430 retail stores worldwide, our associates are essential to our business—from ensuring product availability on the sales floor to creating eye-catching visual displays, addressing customer inquiries, and running an efficient checkout process.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service by responding to consumer questions or issues regarding product features, benefits, and availability; engage with consumers to understand their needs and preferences (e.g., demonstrate and explain merchandise, make suggestions on suitable options).
• Maintain store standards for visual merchandising, cleanliness, and safety; retrieve merchandise from the sales floor, stock room, or other inventory locations.
• Perform all required cash register transactions (e.g., sales, returns, exchanges, connecting consumer to loyalty program) efficiently and accurately.
• Contribute to store profitability by receiving, handling, replenishing, and processing incoming and outgoing product flow in the stores accurately and efficiently.

Requirements

• No specific education required (High School Diploma or GED preferred).
• 2 or fewer years of experience in a position or specialization.
• Skill operating Inventory and Point of Sales (POS) systems, and various other retail software tools.
• 16 years of age or older.
• Ability to communicate clearly with others.
• Availability to work a flexible retail schedule, which may change seasonally and in response to location-specific business trends or forecasts.

Job Conditions

• Frequently in an active environment that requires the ability to constantly move about.
• Physical or strenuous work, including frequently adjusting/moving items weighing up to 40 lbs.
• May frequently use specialized equipment and may have exposure to dust and noise.

Benefits

• Wellness time off to support your health and wellness journey.
• Employee Discounts from all our brands including Columbia, prAna, Sorel, and Mountain Hardwear.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) providing free mental health services, financial services, discounts on fitness programs, and more.
• 401k plan with a generous company match.
• Free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services (EAP+).
• Commuter benefits such as transit and parking reimbursement programs.
• Wellness benefits and additional employee discounts.

Pay

Pay Range: $18.00 - $25.92. Expected Pay Range for Hire: $18.00 - $19.00. Newly hired employees typically start at the beginning rate for the specific store; however, previous experience will be considered.