SUMMARY

The associate will use all skills to work successfully in a team environment by displaying common sense, maintaining a high level of customer service, work accuracy and timeliness, reporting to work area on time, ready to work and dressed in appropriate attire.  The associate will provide customer service in all areas of the store, such as, but not limited to: paint and painting supplies, hand-and-power tools, electrical supplies, plumbing supplies, builders’ hardware, housewares, lawn and garden supplies, pet supplies, outdoor living supplies, and automotive supplies by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Service: 

Help customers in all departments and areas of the store, as needed.

Intervene to bring about the prompt settlement of customer complaints. 

Demonstrate the use of merchandise when such demonstration is appropriate.

Advise customer on tools, hardware, and materials needed, and procedures to follow to complete the task customer wishes to perform.

Answer telephone in timely basis.    

Issue rain checks for out of stock sale merchandise.

Cooperate will associates in other stores.

Procedures & Operations:    

Follow the guidelines set forth by Associate Handbook at all times. 

Knowledgeable of store safety procedures, and observe and supervise the observance of safety policies at all times.

Communicate in a clear, concise and legible manner.    

Supervise the opening and closing of the store, using protocol procedures.

Participate in monthly store meetings.

Assist with the loading/unloading of trucks including U-Haul*. (*U-Haul is only at Chums Location)

Maintain high level of housekeeping in store.     

Handle carry-outs for customers as needed.       

Use computer database to research information on merchandise, such as availability, vendor, inventory levels, sales, current retail, etc.      

Relay all communication and information that will entail the smooth operation of department(s) to other associates and management members.      

Follow policies regarding confidentiality.  

Have the ability and willingness to work at any location.

Be flexible with work schedule, working extra hours or days off with little or no notice.    

Report to all assigned meetings and events.    

Participate in and seek out new training opportunities.

Respond to “99” calls made by associates to facilitate the smooth running of the store.     

Handle training and development of new sales associates and assignment thereof.  

Keep productivity at peak levels and eliminate unproductive times.

Develop weekly to-do list with management team, working toward set goals.

Develop ideas and follow through to completion within time constraints and without direct supervision.

Notify the Human Resource Department, management and Owners of associate grievances and/or policy violations and help bring about their prompt settlement.

   Order, or assign the order of Material Safety Data Sheets immediately upon request.   

Clean, or assist in the cleaning of, hazardous chemical spills.        

Follow all documentation policies and supervise the same.  

Help in determination of Reasonable Suspicion of drug and/or alcohol abuse.    

Be aware of all potentially hazardous situations and help remedy. 

Departmental: 

Oversee inner-store transfer of merchandise and paperwork, in accordance with schedule of events.   

Maintain departmental inventories at desired levels for maximum turnover and profitability.      

Adjust or plan for the adjustment of inventory levels in assigned department(s) to conform to sales, promotions and other peaks and valleys in merchandise demands.       

Oversee the display and/or arrangement of merchandise in all departments. 

Place orders for merchandise in assigned departments, using forms and procedures that conform to policy.       

Price or oversee the pricing of incoming merchandise in area(s) of responsibility or as assigned.     

Suggest new merchandise lines, new sales techniques, etc.        

Oversee prompt indicated price changes.         

Restock and oversee the restocking of, merchandise displays from back stock.         

Assure endcap displays are never empty to prevent potential injury due to empty hooks/shelves.          

Handle warehouse special orders for non-stock items.      

Recommend items and services within assigned department(s) to advertise and promote.        

Prepare sales floor, departments and personnel for increase in sales and customer traffic as a result of advertising and promotional activities.      

Make or request various departmental signs, promotional banners, etc., as needed.

Receive incoming merchandise and supervise the placement on sales floor in an acceptable amount of time.      

Make periodic reports on sales, stock levels, etc.      

Shop competitors when asked.        

Keep abreast of current sales and promotions.  

Assist in the completion of store maintenance and upkeep.

All additional responsibilities as assigned by management.

This job includes on-going supervisory job responsibilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, detailed correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write complex correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other associates of the organization.  Ability to effectively express himself or herself. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percents and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.  Ability to handle multiple situations and/or actions simultaneously, meeting all requirements appropriately. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description reflects expectations of the employer and does not constitute conditions of employment. 

You have the right to terminate your employment at any time for any reason, and Ace Hardware has the right to terminate your employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause. 

Ace Hardware reserves the right to modify this job description at any time and for any reason.

Company Introduction

We are your local hardware store and we are a part of your community. Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of your community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal...just like it ought to be. While others have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.