Thrift Store Clerk

About The Organization

The Salvation Army has been supporting communities in Canada and Bermuda for over 130 years. Rooted in a Christian faith tradition, the organization helps more than 2 million people each year by providing essentials like food, clothing, and shelter, while also responding to challenges such as unemployment, addiction, and family hardship. Its work is guided by values of hope, service, dignity, and stewardship, and it welcomes people from all backgrounds.

Mission

The Salvation Army’s mission is to express the love of Jesus Christ, respond to human need, and positively impact communities around the world.

Role Overview

This position supports customers, handles incoming donations and merchandise, and contributes to day-to-day thrift store operations. The role blends customer service, stock handling, store presentation, and safe work practices.

Key Duties

• Welcome customers and donors in a courteous, approachable, and professional way.
• Deliver efficient service and help support store sales goals while handling challenging interactions tactfully.
• Understand pricing, promotional items, and how to protect donated goods from damage or misuse.
• Follow opening and closing routines for the store.
• Complete cash and debit transactions accurately, keeping voids, overages, and shortages to a minimum.
• Follow store rules for cheques, credit cards, refunds, voids, and holds.
• Receive donations and process raw materials by unloading, sorting, packing, hanging, pricing, and storing items.
• Answer customer questions in person or by phone using knowledge of current stock.
• Monitor store activity to help maintain security.
• Support store layout, window features, and merchandise displays, while keeping the store tidy and visually appealing.
• Help manage inventory by retrieving, sorting, hanging, pricing, and restocking goods as directed.
• Move products to and from the sales floor, including turnover of donated goods and removal of excess inventory.
• Handle merchandise carefully and in an orderly way, including rotating stock and preparing textiles and metal for recycling.
• Assist donors with drop-offs and place received goods in the correct locations.
• Ensure items are sorted properly, processed to quality standards, and priced according to store policy.
• Carry out additional duties as needed.
• Support a safe environment by helping with snow removal, keeping fire exits clear, and addressing spills or obstacles inside and outside the store.
• Keep the store clean, organized, and safe through sweeping, dusting, mopping, restocking, and rotating cleaning tasks for shared areas such as the lunchroom and washroom.
• Work in line with occupational health and safety requirements and The Salvation Army’s internal safety procedures.
• Perform other assigned work-related tasks.

Reporting And Responsibility

The role reports to the Thrift Store Manager, or to a designate. It carries moderate responsibility for materials and organization assets, but no budgeting or financial management responsibility.

Working Conditions

• This is a permanent full-time role.
• Scheduled hours are 37.5 per week.
• Workdays may change from week to week and will include weekdays and/or Saturdays.
• The job requires standing for long periods and frequent twisting, bending, crouching, and reaching.
• You must be able to lift and move up to 30 pounds.
• Safety precautions such as universal precautions and wearing gloves when handling unknown contents are required.

Education And Experience

• A commitment to understanding and supporting the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada is required.
• Completion of some high school coursework is expected.
• An equivalent mix of education and experience may be accepted.
• Applicants should have a few months of experience in goods processing, distribution, or customer service.
• Cash handling experience is required.
• Experience with cash registers and related tasks such as bank deposits and summary reports is needed.
• Previous work in a computerized environment is expected.
• Knowledge of lifting guidelines is required.
• Product brand awareness would be considered an advantage.

Skills And Capabilities

• Strong attention to detail
• Self-driven and able to stay disciplined
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• Good oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Physically able to handle repeated lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, and twisting

Compensation

The target hiring range is $16.82 to $21.03 per hour, with a maximum rate of $25.23 per hour. Pay placement depends on market conditions, internal equity, and the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations are available on request. Candidates who need an accommodation can contact [email protected] to discuss their needs.