Thrift Store Associate

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey

About the Role

The Thrift Store Associate is a fast-paced production role responsible for receiving donations and preparing them for sale.

Key Responsibilities

• Sort, grade, and inspect donations (textiles, housewares, electronics, shoes, and accessories) for quality and condition.
• Tag and price merchandise according to company standards, meeting production goals per hour.
• Prepare items on rolling racks and carts for transport to the sales floor, meeting company standards for full fixtures.
• Organize and separate items for e-commerce and clearance departments, accurately labeling all goods.
• Follow safety procedures and operational guidelines to maintain a clean and secure work environment.
• Provide excellent customer and donor service, including accepting donations, issuing receipts, and ensuring the donation area remains neat and organized when needed.
• Support Goodwill’s mission by maximizing efficiency and productivity in daily tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team and broader organizational goals.

Schedule

• Full-time role, requiring weekdays and some weekends.
• Flexibility in availability is essential to meet the needs of the business which operates Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Safety Guidelines

• This role involves handling pre-owned merchandise, which may contain allergens, dust, or other substances.
• Goodwill provides training, protective equipment, and follows safety protocols to ensure a clean and secure work environment.
• Employees must follow all safety guidelines and report concerns to management.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work with a high volume of inventory.
• Maintaining stockroom organization.
• Ensuring quality control.
• Following safety standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior experience in customer service, donation processing, retail, or warehouse environments is a plus.
• Ability to provide friendly, respectful service to a diverse donor and customer population.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operational guidelines.
• Comfortable performing physical tasks, including lifting, sorting, and standing for extended periods.
• Basic communication and teamwork skills.