Store Associate

About the Organization

The Salvation Army has supported people in need across Canada and Bermuda for over 130 years. Rooted in a global Christian church, it serves more than 2 million people each year by providing essentials like food, clothing, and shelter. Its work also extends to individuals facing unemployment, addiction, and family difficulties. Guided by values of hope, service, dignity, and stewardship, the organization welcomes people from all backgrounds.

Mission

The Salvation Army’s purpose is to express the love of Jesus Christ, respond to human needs, and make a positive difference in communities around the world.

Role Overview

This position is based at 87 Lansdowne Ave., Saint John, New Brunswick. It is a permanent full-time role scheduled for 40 hours per week, with starting pay at $15.90 and potential annual increases. The store associate supports donor service, merchandise handling, and day-to-day store operations while helping create a safe, organized, and welcoming shopping environment.

Key Duties

The role involves greeting donors and visitors warmly, helping with carrying donations, and supporting efficient sorting, baling, shipping, and related material-handling tasks. The associate helps maintain store standards, contributes to sales and inventory control, and ensures donated goods are processed carefully and in line with established categories and quality expectations.

Operations

• Welcome customers and donors in a courteous, friendly, and professional way.
• Support store sales goals by delivering efficient service and handling difficult interactions with tact.
• Stay informed about product pricing and featured offers while protecting the quality and integrity of donated goods.
• Carry out opening and closing procedures as required.
• Load, unload, sort, pack, hang, price, and store incoming donations and raw materials.
• Understand store inventory well enough to answer questions by phone or in person.
• Monitor activity in the store to help support security.
• Assist with merchandising, window presentation, and overall store tidiness to keep the space appealing.
• Help control inventory by retrieving, sorting, hanging, and pricing merchandise as directed.
• Replenish sales-floor stock, remove excess items from the floor, and support donation turnover.
• Handle merchandise safely and orderly, including stock rotation, textile recycling, and metal recycling placement.
• Help donors unload contributions and place goods in the proper location.
• Ensure items are sorted and processed correctly and priced according to store policy.
• Complete other duties as needed.

Health and Safety

• Help maintain a safe environment for staff and shoppers, including tasks such as snow removal and keeping fire exits clear.
• Keep the store neat, organized, and hazard-free by cleaning, sweeping, dusting, mopping, and restocking as needed.
• On a rotating basis, clean shared areas such as the lunchroom, washroom, and other common spaces.
• Follow the Occupational Health & Safety Act, related regulations, and The Salvation Army’s safety policies and procedures.

Working Conditions

This position includes weekday, evening, and weekend shifts, with schedules that may change from week to week. The work is physically demanding and requires standing for long periods, frequent bending, twisting, crouching, and reaching, as well as lifting or moving up to 30 pounds. Universal precautions must be followed, including wearing gloves when handling unknown contents. All NRO employees must wear safety shoes at all times in store and DRC locations.

Reporting and Relationships

The role reports to the Store Manager and does not include direct reports. Regular interaction is expected with store staff, volunteers, guests, and vendors.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

Candidates should be willing to support and understand the mission of The Salvation Army as it relates to the job. Some high school coursework is required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

Experience and Knowledge

A few months of experience in goods processing, distribution, or customer service is preferred. Familiarity with lifting guidelines is important. Brand awareness is considered an advantage, and prior work in a computerized environment is desirable.

Skills and Capabilities

The role calls for strong attention to detail, self-discipline, the ability to work independently, and the ability to contribute positively in a team setting. Good oral communication and interpersonal skills are essential. The candidate must also be physically capable of frequent lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, including bending, twisting, pushing, and pulling products. Successful completion of applicable screening and background checks is required, subject to the organization’s discretion.

Compensation

The pay range for this position is $15.90 to $18.80, with a maximum rate of $21.69. Placement within the range depends on market conditions, internal equity, and the candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. The organization also provides reasonable accommodation upon request.

Accommodation

If accommodation is required, candidates may contact Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca to discuss their needs.