ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities.  We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better.  It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.
 

The Salvation Army Stores are vibrant places where great things happen: generous people donate amazing items, customers enjoy an ever-changing selection of goods, volunteers gain friendships and share experiences, all whilst raising much-needed funds to assist the most vulnerable in your community.

Retail Assistants (all duties) have a wide-ranging role, supporting the Store Manager in ensuring quality customer service on the shop floor, carrying out transactions at point of sale, maintaining the general appearance of the store area and assist customers to bring in donations as well as sorting and pricing items for sale. Together, Retail Assistants play a key role in fostering a culture of inclusiveness and community spirit amongst the team, which in turn enhances the customer experience in the store.

Key responsibilities:

Customer Service: With your friendly and engaging personality, ensure all customers are warmly greeted and are provided guidance to the store’s areas and inform of any specials. Also provide assistance to those who are donating items and to community members referred to the store for material aid support.

Point of sale: Bring your attentive and patient service to assist with sales transactions, answering customer enquiries in store and over the phone.

Displays and merchandising: With the guidance of the store manager, ensure items are displayed attractively and safely with clear thoroughfares, and floors and displays are clean and fresh.

Quality control: After careful selection of items for sale, apply detailed inspection of items, ensuring their appropriateness for sale, functionality and good presentation. Preparing items for sale includes steaming and hanging clothes, cleaning homewares, shoes and bags, packaging up craft, bedding and electrical items, and sorting jewellery, books and videos. Unsuitable items are sorted into recyclable or waste disposal areas.

Pricing: Following agreed pricing standards, apply diligence and care to ensuring all items are priced before they are displayed.

Safety: Apply your care and concern to ensure customers, visitors, you and your team are kept safe by always adhering to safe work practices. Keep children safe by always abiding by Salvation Army’s child safe policies and code of conduct. Help ensure safety equipment and the staff areas and amenities are kept clear of hazards and are tidy and clean.

Qualifications and skills (desired/required):

Experience in retail, sales and customer service preferred but not mandatory as volunteers are always supported with on the job training.

Background check requirements:

Background checks play an important part in our commitment to being a safe organisation. Where an applicant has disclosable history, the selection process includes a fair assessment and a risk management approach. Collection of personal information is handled per our privacy and confidentiality policies. Below is what is required for this role:

As this role involves handling money, it requires a Police Check

Time Required & Commitment:

As agreed with manager

Development opportunities with this role:

This role will give volunteers an opportunity to develop skills and build experience in retail practices, valuations of donations, sorting and stocking of shelves, as well as experience in working as a part of a team. Volunteers will receive on the job training and support, working alongside experience retail professionals in a caring and supportive environment. As an extra bonus, volunteers have access to professional development training.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child related roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Additionally, certain volunteer roles may require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.