Sales Associate

Job Description Gordon’s Ace Hardware is a locally owned, family run business and has been part of the community for three generations.

Gordon’s Ace Hardware was founded in 1950 as a single store at the corner of State Street and Oak Street in downtown Chicago.

In the 1980’s, the company began its expansion and is currently an eight store chain located throughout the Chicagoland area.

As your local Ace Hardware, our store is a member of the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry.

Ace Hardware began as a small chain of stores in 1924 and has grown to include more than 5,000 stores in 50 states and more than 70 countries.

Each Ace Hardware is unique and tailored to meet the needs of its local community.

We are all committed to being “the Helpful Place” by offering our customers knowledgeable advice, helpful service and quality products.

As the helpful hardware folks in your community, we promise that, “helping you is the most important thing we have to do today.”General SummaryUpholds the Core Values as determined by the management team.

Primary responsibility for all positions with Company is to Amaze Every Customer Every Time.

Sales associates are responsible for engaging the customer, determining their needs and projecting requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Help unload incoming trucks and put away merchandise (as arranged by management).

Maintain your assigned department: Keep clean, organized and fully stocked.
• Execute the daily operational, day-to-day goals and priorities assigned by store management displaying a “Speed is Life” attitude.

Move with a sense of urgency while paying attention to the details.
• Cooperate with others and work well as part of a retail team, for example actively participate in daily huddle meetings, share ideas for improvement with management.
• Remove promotional bin tags from displays, and price tags as required following sales events, flyers, etc.
• Restock merchandise displays as needed, watch end caps and side wings.
• Handle special orders for all non-stock items.

It always takes two associates to say “No.” Never tell a customer no without checking with a floor manager, assistant manager or store manager.
• Watch for shoplifters and take action, in line with company policy, that will discourage shoplifting.

Excellent customer service and interaction prevents shoplifting.

• Provide the best possible experience for Every Customer, Every Time by being helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.

• When you are not with a customer or cleaning, stand in a main aisle to get the best view of customers coming into your department.

Walk up and down the main aisles to be sure customers are being assisted in all departments.

Avoid personal conversations with co-workers on the floor.
• Serve Customers in assigned departments, or storewide, and provide needed advice or information, greet customers as soon as you encounter them.
• Demonstrate the S.A.L.E.S.

process
• Actively participate in store communication and initiatives (e.g., Communication Board, Daily Huddle, store contests, etc.)
• Assist Customers with simple complaints/concerns; get a manager involved with problems as needed.
• Use the Five Foot Rule
– greet and/or acknowledge all customers within five feet of you all the time.
• Always be polite and attentive to customers.

Make eye contact and smile.

Do not avoid customers.
• Promote the Ace Rewards program to all customers, describe the Ace Helpful Promise(s) and use the Magic Question.

• Maintain awareness of all promotions and advertisement so you can tell customers about special sales.
• Always wear your radio and headset in order to effectively communicate with other associates or management.

• Respond to Customer Coordinator questions as needed.

• Assist customers with large or heavy items as needed.
• Offer customers a red basket for their shopping use.
• Assist in the training and development of peersRequirements Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Able to communicate professionally with customers and team members
• Skilled at providing prompt, friendly and attentive customer service
• Strong organizational skills with a passion for details
• Willing to learn all areas of the store and help train others
• Proven track record of being a team player
• Knowledge and experience of various departments is strongly desired.
• A continuous pattern of regular and prompt attendance is required.

• Availability must be flexible including evenings, weekends and holidays.

• Bilingual (Spanish) verbal and written communication skills strongly preferredPhysical RequirementsThe minimum physical requirements for this position include:
• Ability to stand for an extended period of time, walk, reach, and bend to perform job duties
• Move and handle merchandise up to 50 pounds, and fixtures throughout the store, which entails lifting and perform all functions as set forthJob responsibilities may change based on the needs of the business.