Lead Store Associate

Lead Store Associate Type of Work: Full-Time Shift Availability: The candidate must have open availability on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Starting Hourly Pay Rate: $17.50/hr Location: 2082 Gulf To Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33765 About the Role As a Lead Store Associate, you’ll be at the forefront of delivering exceptional experiences to our customers while guiding and inspiring your team. You’ll serve as a brand ambassador, drive performance, and help shape a welcoming, compliant, and high‑performing retail environment. What You’ll Do Customer Experience & People Lead by example to create a warm, welcoming environment where every guest feels valued, and coach your team to deliver exceptional service with every interaction. Empower associates to build meaningful customer relationships through personalized product recommendations and expert guidance. Drive consultative selling on the floor by encouraging open‑ended questions, active listening, and thoughtful product education. Foster a culture of loyalty by guiding the team to enroll guests in our rewards program and capture customer insights that enhance future experiences. Support your team in resolving customer concerns with empathy and professionalism, ensuring every challenge becomes an opportunity to build trust. Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace—where positivity and teamwork fuel great customer experiences and smooth operations at checkout. Operational Excellence & Processes Execute opening and closing duties, including daily huddles and cash reconciliation. Verify customer IDs and maintain accurate POS profiles. Ensure inventory integrity through precise transaction processing and order fulfillment. Lead inventory counts and participate in overnight audits. Maintain a clean, organized, and guest‑ready store environment. Uphold compliance with SOPs, safety protocols, and state regulations. Achieve daily KPI goals through consultative selling and upselling strategies. Reinforce customer purchase decisions and highlight complementary products. Stay informed on promotions and product updates to deliver a seamless shopping experience. Leadership & Team Development Guide and support store associates in daily operations. Lead by example in customer service and operational excellence. Train new hires and conduct ongoing training sessions. Provide real‑time coaching and feedback to drive team performance. Delegate tasks effectively and act as the go‑to leader in the absence of store management. Support conflict resolution and promote a positive workplace culture. Adapt quickly in a fast‑paced environment and take on additional duties as needed. What You’ll Bring Must be 21 years of age or older. High School Diploma or GED certificate. A minimum of 1 year of experience in a customer‑facing or sales environment. A minimum of 1 year of experience using POS systems and cash handling. A minimum of 6 months of leadership experience in a retail environment. Minimum of 6 months of hands‑on experience in retail store operations, including executing opening and closing procedures and reconciling cash drawers. Strong leadership and team‑building skills with the ability to coach and motivate others. Familiarity with retail SOPs, safety protocols, and loss prevention practices. High level of attention to detail, especially in cash handling and inventory management. Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a high‑volume, compliance‑driven setting. Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overnights. Multi‑tasking with the ability to quickly pivot to other tasks. Comfortable using technology and learning new tools to support operations and customer interactions. Strong time management and organizational skills. Strong de‑escalation skills and the ability to redirect upset customers to result in a positive guest experience. Basic proficiency in mathematics and computer applications. The ability to maintain a solution‑driven mindset when dealing with upset customers. Strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to handle high‑stress situations. Ability to support store leadership by taking initiative and a proactive approach. Ability to work across all stations within the store, based on business needs. Even Better If You Have Previous knowledge of inventory management, systematic restocking of merchandise, fulfillment of online and in‑store orders, and conducting daily inventory counts and comprehensive inventory audits. Background in a sales role with a focus on tracking KPIs and meeting sales targets. Previous experience within a regulated retail setting. Physical Requirements 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. Stand for extended periods, regularly walk, talk, or hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, use hands and fingers to feel and reach, and lift up to 25 pounds. Occasionally required to climb, balance, and lift up to 50 pounds. Requires clear vision at 20 inches or less. Includes potential exposure to dust, pollen, and plant pathogens, confined spaces, high stress tolerance, adaptability, and flexibility in a changing environment. What We Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits Generous PTO and Parental Leave Life / Disability Insurance Community Involvement Referral Bonuses and Product Discounts Benefits vary by state, role type, and eligibility. Curaleaf is an equal opportunity employer. Curaleaf recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. Individuals adversely impacted by the war on drugs are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr