Donation Associate

About The Salvation Army

With over 130 years of community service in Canada and Bermuda, The Salvation Army supports more than two million individuals annually by offering essential resources such as food, clothing, and shelter. Our mission emphasizes sharing the love of Jesus Christ, addressing human needs, and creating positive change in communities worldwide. We embrace diversity and welcome people from all walks of life to our organization.

Role Overview

The Donation Associate plays a key role in supporting the retail operations of the Salvation Army Thrift Store. This includes providing excellent customer service, managing incoming donations, sorting inventory, and maintaining smooth store functioning to meet sales goals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Welcome customers and donors warmly, ensuring a positive and courteous experience.
• Contribute to achieving store sales targets through efficient service and tactful handling of customer interactions.
• Be informed about product pricing and featured promotions while safeguarding the quality and integrity of donated goods.
• Execute store opening and closing duties according to procedures.
• Accurately process customer transactions including cash and debit payments, minimizing errors.
• Follow store policies for cheques, refunds, credit cards, voids, and holds.
• Handle donated items by unloading, sorting, packing, hanging, pricing, and storing them appropriately.
• Possess knowledge about stock to assist customers both in person and by phone.
• Ensure store security through vigilant monitoring.
• Help arrange store layout, including window and merchandise displays, to attract customers and maintain tidiness.
• Assist inventory control by organizing and replenishing merchandise on the sales floor as directed.
• Manage merchandise safely including stock rotation and responsible handling of recyclable materials.
• Help donors with their contributions by unloading and placing donations in correct locations.
• Maintain quality standards for product sorting and pricing compliance.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned.
• Support health and safety measures including snow removal, clearing fire exits, cleaning spills, and ensuring obstacle-free areas inside and outside the store.
• Perform regular cleaning and maintenance tasks to uphold a safe and attractive store environment.

Work Environment and Conditions

• The position is permanent and full-time with a flexible weekly schedule including weekdays and some Saturdays.
• Physical demands include standing for extended periods and frequent bending, twisting, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 30 pounds.
• Safety precautions such as using gloves when handling unknown items must be observed.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports directly to the Store Manager with no direct reports.
• Collaborates with store management, Corps Officers, volunteers, staff, customers, and vendors.

Qualifications and Experience

• Completion of some high school education; alternative education and experience combinations may be considered.
• A few months experience in goods processing, distribution, or customer service is desirable.
• Experience handling cash, operating registers, and managing related processes such as bank deposits and sales reports is required.
• Familiarity with product brands and experience working with computerized systems is an asset.

Competencies

• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and disciplined work ethic.
• Ability to work independently and also contribute constructively as part of a team.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Physical capability to lift up to 29 pounds frequently with appropriate bending and twisting movements.
• Successful completion of required background screening checks.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is between $16.35 and $19.50 per hour, with a maximum of $22.64. Placement within this range depends on market conditions, internal equity, and the candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

Accommodation

The Salvation Army is committed to inclusive hiring and offers reasonable accommodations upon request to candidates with needs. Contact the organization directly to discuss accommodations.