Housewares Department Associate

Reports to: Store Manager & Store Supervisor/Management Team

Direct Reports: None

Tentative Schedule: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Position Philosophy:

The Housewares Department Associate is responsible for delivering an exceptional customer experience while maintaining one of Owenhouse Ace Hardware's largest and most important departments. This position is dedicated exclusively to the Housewares Department and is expected to spend nearly all working hours within the department.

The Housewares Department Associate works directly under the Housewares Department Supervisor, who is responsible for the overall vision, merchandising, inventory strategy, product assortment, and operational success of the department. The Department Supervisor will provide direction and coaching, while the Housewares Department Associate executes the department's standards by maintaining merchandise presentation, working freight, replenishing inventory, assisting customers, and driving sales. Together, they are responsible for creating one of the premier Housewares shopping experiences in the Gallatin Valley. 

The Housewares Department Associate is responsible for creating a clean, full, organized, and sales-focused shopping experience. This includes stocking merchandise, putting away freight, maintaining inventory accuracy, recovering the department, filling outs, merchandising displays, assisting customers, and driving sales through exceptional product knowledge and proactive customer engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Culture Awareness

• Dress appropriately and according to company policy.
• Represent the company well internally and to the general public.
• Assure the Core Values are alive and well in all Owenhouse facilities through all forms of communication and daily interactions with employees, customers and vendors.

Always Be Open Minded

Communicate & Listen

Enjoy What You Do

Team Spirit

Engage The Customer

Above And Beyond

Make A Difference

Customer Service:

• Provide a positive representation of Owenhouse Ace Hardware.
• Engage customers proactively and offer assistance before they have to ask.
• Build relationships through friendly, knowledgeable service.
• Ask open-ended questions to understand customer projects and needs.
• Recommend complete project solutions and complementary products.
• Maintain strong product knowledge across all Housewares categories.
• Assist customers with product selection, demonstrations, and special orders.
• Thank customers for shopping with Owenhouse Ace Hardware.
• Create a department customers enjoy shopping and want to return to.

Department Operations:

• Take ownership of the Housewares Department each shift.
• Put away freight accurately, efficiently, and with urgency.
• Continuously work "outs" to ensure merchandise remains in stock.
• Maintain full shelves and attractive product presentation.
• Recover and face merchandise throughout the day.
• Maintain clean, organized aisles, displays, shelves, and endcaps.
• Ensure pricing and signage are accurate and current.
• Assist with seasonal transitions, merchandising changes, and resets.
• Maintain organized back stock
• Identify damaged merchandise and follow proper procedures.
• Communicate merchandising opportunities, customer feedback, and inventory concerns to management.
• Support inventory accuracy through proper stocking and recovery practices.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Participate in department and store meetings.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Smile! Laugh! & Have fun!

Sales Focus:

• Create an outstanding shopping experience that drives sales.
• Build complete solutions instead of selling individual items.
• Suggest complementary products and accessories whenever appropriate.
• Stay knowledgeable on current promotions, featured products, and seasonal opportunities.
• Maintain merchandising standards that inspire customers to purchase.
• Look for opportunities to increase average transaction size through helpful recommendations.
• Take pride in making Housewares one of the best departments in the store.

Store Support:

• While this position is dedicated to the Housewares Department, there may occasionally be opportunities to assist elsewhere in the store during business-critical situations. However, the primary expectation is to remain focused on serving customers and maintaining excellence within the Housewares Department.
• Become fully trained and proficient in cashier operations and all register procedures.
• Provide cashier support during peak business periods, call-offs, and emergency coverage when requested by management.
• Assist with front-end operations while maintaining ownership and accountability for the Housewares Department.
• Work collaboratively with other departments when needed while ensuring Housewares remains clean, stocked, and customer-ready.

Other Essential Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:

• Retail experience preferred but not required.
• Customer service experience preferred but not required.
• Experience stocking merchandise or merchandising is preferred.
• Passion for organization, presentation, and helping customers is highly desired.

Physical Demands:

• Standing for extended periods.
• Frequent walking.
• Lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent bending, reaching, climbing ladders, and stocking merchandise.
• Ability to move freight throughout the department.

Success in This Role:

A successful Housewares Department Associate:

• Keeps shelves full and organized throughout every shift.
• Makes customers feel welcomed and genuinely cared for.
• Creates beautiful, easy-to-shop displays.
• Quickly identifies and fills inventory gaps.
• Maintains excellent product knowledge.
• Takes ownership of the department as if it were their own business.
• Helps Owenhouse Ace Hardware become the first choice for Housewares in the Gallatin Valley.

Company Introduction

For 140 years, Bozeman residents have trusted the folks at Owenhouse Hardware Company to provide them with everything from buggies, wagons, and plows to modern tools, appliances, and lawn mowers.

A valuable and integral part of the Bozeman community and surrounding areas, Owenhouse Hardware Company has survived the tenure of time, from the days of hand labor and foot travel to modern tools and motorized transportation. Evolving from a farm supply store to a full-service hardware store & Bike shop. The business continues to operate on its long-standing reputation of providing quality products and great service, before and after the sale. This tradition has garnered it the phrase heard lovingly among locals: “Ace is the place” at Owenhouse Ace Hardware.

Owenhouse Cycling is part of the Owenhouse Hardware Company, founded in 1879. When we say we’ve been in the biking business for a long time, we mean it! What started as a mercantile carrying all the goods a person of that time would need, including bikes, and have since grown and expanded to become what is now Owenhouse Cycling and Owenhouse Ace Hardware. The Owenhouse Cycling building was originally constructed in 1949 as a showroom for tractors and other farming implements. Things have changed a bit over the years, with our latest remodel taking place in 2014.
From bike repair to shelving and storage, the staff at Owenhouse Ace Hardware & Owenhouse Cycling are ready to assist you with all of your hardware, home improvement & bicycle needs.
We can be found in historic Downtown Bozeman at 36 East Main Street and 25 South Black Street or on the west side of Bozeman at 8695 Huffine Lane.