Retail Specialist

Retail Specialist - The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command

Hoffman Estates, IL

Full Time, 36.25 Hours/Week

After 90 days, 1 day remote/week or 4 day work week

Pay Rate: $82,000-$85,000/Year

Our Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Retail Specialist is responsible for the overall development, management, operation and maintenance of the ARC Family Thrift Stores with a focus on creating net revenues in order to provide resources for the ARC Program.

Essential Functions:

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the position. Other job-related responsibilities and tasks may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Personnel and Staffing

• Support field with materials for recruiting and training adequate staff for each thrift store in accordance with the ARC and TSA policies.
• Support field with annual staffing and payroll budget worksheets for the ARC budget purposes and follow up throughout the year to ensure compliance.

Thrift Store Operations

• Ensure that each thrift store operates per ARCC standards, and in a manner to be as financially successful as possible.
• Support/train with efficient backroom processing in each designated store as needed.
• Support/monitor key items such as price per item and cost per item and follow up with any irregularities.
• Support field with the process of daily store reports, safety reports, time keeping, daily deposits, etc.

Store Design

• Participate in potential new store site visits and existing store evaluations as requested.
• Inspect new stores or evaluate space usage in existing stores and devise floor plan.
• Assist in preparing list of required fixtures for floor plan, and locate, research, and compare vendors.
• Negotiate proposals for fixtures with selected suppliers and submit proposals to ARCC Property Department.
• Manage and coordinate delivery and installation of fixtures.

Marketing

• Ensure participation in Command or ARC planned marketing events, sales, etc.
• Support the Center with any marketing needs to ensure the best use of advertising dollars.

Store Property

• Support field with analyzing current results and forecast future results in leased stores to help determine the propriety of renewing leases when they expire.
• Support field with proper store inspections to ensure all deficiencies are brought up to standard in a timely fashion. This should include windows, lights, interior and exterior paint, signage, doors, fixtures, bathrooms, floorings backrooms, landscaping, and a properly filled sales floor.
• Support field with thrift store equipment regularly to ensure it is operating properly. This includes POS systems, telephones, alarms, timeclock, etc.

Budgets and Analytics

• Support ARC Centers to establish an annual budget for thrift stores. This should include monthly sales, rents, payroll, utilities, supplies, and any other appropriate cost.
• Provide analysis of monthly store reports and review these with Center's retail team along with suggestions for improvements.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• The requirements listed below are representative of the minimal education, experience, skills, and/or abilities required for this position.

Education:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, retail sales, or marketing is preferred; 4 years' experience is staff management and development or combination of education and experience. Thrift store management experience is preferred.

Certifications:

• Valid Driver's License. Able to drive on behalf of The Salvation Army.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to speak, write and understand English in a manner sufficient for effective communication with leadership and field personnel.
• Must have basic computer skills with a working knowledge of and be able to become proficient in other proprietary software programs. Strong Excel skill is required.
• Must be able to problem solve.
• Must have good people development and management skills

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Supports the recruiting, interviewing and recommends for hire Store staff.
• Supports the Training and supervising of the store supervisors and managers.

Physical Requirements:

• The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands, handle, or feel; and hear or talk. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Travel:

• Able and willing to travel to each of the store properties on a regular basis.
• Able and willing to attend trainings as assigned by Supervisor.

Working Conditions:

The work environment for this position is a store environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. The environment may be dusty and may experience temperature fluctuations based on weather. May stand for extended periods. Full-time position; will require some weekend and evening work.