Lead Associate - FT

Work Location: 2520 W 23rd Street, Panama City FL, 32405

Must be flexible to work Days, Nights, Weekends. Some experience preferred.  

Primary Functions:

Under the direct supervision of the Retail Store Manager, the Lead Associate plays a key leadership role in creating a positive, safe, and engaging store environment. This position is responsible for delivering outstanding customer service, modeling a high standard of professionalism, and motivating team members to perform at their best. The Lead Associate supports daily store operations across retail, all production departments, and donor services, and serves as the manager on duty in the absence of the Store or Assistant Manager. With a hands-on leadership approach, the Lead Associate guides, trains, and supports employees to achieve individual and team goals while ensuring a consistently excellent customer and donor experience and maintaining a safe and orderly workplace.

Essential Functions:

• Monitor and ensure the quality of merchandise being brought to the sales floor meets company standards
• Stock merchandise in the appropriate categories while maintaining a clean, organized, and shoppable sales floor
• Maintain the overall order and appearance of the store, including straightening shelves, racks, and displays throughout the day
• Demonstrate and direct a warm and welcoming store and donor experience
• Deliver world-class customer service by assisting shoppers in locating items, answering questions, and creating a positive experience that encourages return visits
• Support merchandising efforts by displaying items in a visually appealing manner and following scheduled rotation procedures to remove outdated goods
• Ensure cleanliness, organization, and proper rotation throughout all areas of the store
• Maintain tidy dressing rooms and return unpurchased items to their correct location on the sales floor promptly
• Open and close the store as scheduled, following proper procedures to ensure safety and security
• Crosstrain across departments and support both front-end sales functions and back-end production as needed
• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance to support store operations and team morale
• Demonstrate knowledge of sales and production targets and execute daily responsibilities to help meet or exceed weekly performance goals
• Delegate tasks effectively and provide hands-on supervision and support to staff and volunteers throughout the shift
• Participate in regular team meetings and required training sessions to stay aligned with organizational goals and expectations
• Promote a culture of safety by following all safety protocols and reporting any incidents or concerns to leadership promptly
• Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures, modeling professional behavior in alignment with Goodwill’s Guiding Principles
• Assist in the onboarding and ongoing training of new and existing staff to ensure consistency and operational excellence
• Support the Retail Store Manager and Assistant Manager in supervising employees and fostering a positive team environment
• Accurately complete daily and weekly reports and submit required documentation through established systems and processes
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall store performance and team success
• Perform other duties as assigned

Competencies:

Handling Multiple Tasks
World Class Customer Service*
Clear Communication*
Good Judgment and Discretion*
Goal-Focused Leadership
Willingness to Learn

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Leads Team of 6-10 Employees
Provides Direct Supervision to Front-Line Staff

Requirements:

Must consistently fulfill responsibilities in primary assigned area (e.g., cashier, donation attendant, processor, etc.)
Demonstrates a strong work ethic and a commitment to dependable performance
Accurately operate a cash register (balance and enter sales reports) and operate credit card processing equipment
Exercises sound judgment in identifying items appropriate for sale based on quality and guidelines
Follows instructions carefully and adheres to all organizational policies and procedures
Works effectively with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
Available to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and some holidays, as needed by store operations
Maintains respectful and cooperative working relationships with team members, leadership and support departments
Has reliable transportation to ensure punctuality and consistent attendance
Demonstrates the ability to safely and properly operate equipment required for the role

Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in a retail environment
High School degree or equivalent preferred

Physical Requirements:

While performing this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, push, pull crouch or crawl. Most activities involve repetitive upper body movement and bending. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds (unless otherwise restricted)
Must have good hand-eye coordination. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Typical Work Environment:

While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time, but works primarily indoors and/or at facility entrance; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
While performing this job, the employee may be exposed to some hazardous waste dust and dirt
Will possibly be working alongside and training best practices with others with social, mental, and emotional disabilities

Mission Contribution:

Drive Goodwill’s mission by fostering relationships with donors and customers and maximizing store operations. Through careful stewardship of donated goods and a commitment to exceptional service, you contribute directly to funding Goodwill’s employment and training programs, helping individuals overcome barriers to employment.

 

 

 

 

Provides job training and employment services via retail operations.