Thrift Store Sales Associate: part-time

About the role

As a Sales Associate with the Clock Tower Thrift Shop, you will support NVFS’s mission by creating a welcoming shopping experience, providing quality customer service, supporting daily retail operations, processing merchandise and donations, and helping maximize sales while maintaining an attractive, organized sales floor. You will work with store leadership, staff, and volunteers to meet sales goals and uphold NVFS values. The Clock Tower Thrift Shop generates critical funding for NVFS programs that strengthen the Northern Virginia community, and every purchase and donation advances over a century of service to families and individuals.

Responsibilities

• Accurately process customer purchases, returns when applicable, and other point-of-sale transactions while responsibly handling cash, credit, and electronic payments.
• Balance the cash drawer and follow established cash-handling procedures.
• Maintain the appearance and cleanliness of checkout and customer service spaces.
• Create a superior customer experience for shoppers, donors, and visitors.
• Engage customers, understand their needs, and identify sales and donation opportunities.
• Stock, organize, and replenish merchandise throughout the sales floor.
• Create visually appealing displays that showcase merchandise and encourage sales.
• Ensure shelves, racks, and displays remain organized, clean, safe, and stocked throughout the day.
• Rotate merchandise and assist with seasonal displays, promotions, and store resets as needed.
• Process merchandise and store donations according to established guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with the Store Manager, Assistant Manager, staff, and volunteers to achieve operational and sales goals.
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for customers, donors, volunteers, and staff.
• Assist with annual inventories, special events, marketing efforts, and other operational projects as needed.
• Attend meetings and provide regular updates as requested by the Store Manager and/or Assistant Manager.
• Communicate customer feedback, concerns, and safety issues promptly to store leadership.
• Maintain current knowledge of NVFS programs and events to effectively engage customers and donors.
• As assigned, supervise, train, support, and/or collaborate with volunteers and interns.

Requirements

• Ability to use a cash register, calculator, and credit card processing machine and make change accurately.
• Related work experience in retail sales and customer service preferred; familiarity with thrift store and aftermarket pricing is a plus.
• Marketing experience is a plus.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English and interact with English-speaking customers and donors; Spanish language fluency is a plus.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to communicate respectfully, clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person and on the phone.
• Ability to work collaboratively with thrift store staff and volunteers.
• Excellent multitasking skills with a solution-oriented and collaborative approach.
• Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to demonstrate a One-NVFS mindset by being mission-oriented, accountable to the organization, and supportive of colleagues across programs and departments.
• Team-oriented and willing to collaborate, support colleagues, and share responsibilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including empathy and active listening.
• Ability to support, motivate, and develop others, including colleagues, interns, and/or volunteers as assigned.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt and respond effectively to change.
• Strong accountability and the ability to reliably deliver high-quality work.
• A client service orientation focused on serving internal and external customers in support of the NVFS mission.
• Technical and functional expertise relevant to the role.
• Sensitivity to the diversity of NVFS’ client base.
• Successful completion of background checks upon hire.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must be available to work occasional holidays, evenings, and/or weekends as needed, with scheduling arranged in advance with the Store Manager.
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend/stoop, lift/carry, push/pull, reach, and perform other physical activities associated with a retail environment.
• Must possess the manual dexterity needed to fasten and unfasten buttons, snaps, and zippers and to operate cash