Thrift Processing Associate

Position Summary:

The Thrift Processing Associate is responsible for supporting the day-to-day back-end operations of the St. Vincent Center, including donation intake, sorting, processing, pricing, and preparing merchandise for the retail sales floor. This role supports efficient and organized production processes that contribute to revenue generation, volunteer engagement, and the mission of Catholic Charities to bring hope to life. The Thrift Processing Associate works collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community workers to maintain a safe, productive, and organized work environment while supporting daily production goals and maintaining a consistent flow of quality merchandise to the sales floor.

Responsibilities:

Donation intake and processing

• Greet and assist donors in a friendly, respectful, and professional manner
• Assist with donation receiving, unloading, and donor support as needed
• Sort, inspect, process, and prepare donated merchandise for the sales floor
• Assist with pricing merchandise according to store guidelines and quality standards
• Maintain efficient product flow from donation intake to the retail floor
• Support daily production and processing goals to ensure operational efficiency
• Identify damaged, unsafe, or unsellable items and follow proper disposal procedures

Organization and production support

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe workstations and processing areas
• Assist with moving merchandise, racks, bins, and materials throughout the production area
• Work collaboratively with supervisors and team members to minimize processing backlog and maintain workflow efficiency
• Assist with maintaining organized storage and processing areas
• Follow safety procedures and proper lifting techniques

Teamwork and communication

• Work collaboratively with supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, and community workers
• Communicate respectfully and effectively using clear verbal communication
• Follow directions from supervisors and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Contribute to a healthy and respectful team environment
• Demonstrate accountability, professionalism, and reliability in daily responsibilities

Perform other duties as assigned

• Represent Catholic Charities in a professional and mission-centered manner
• Participate in trainings and staff meetings as assigned
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of St. Vincent Center

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for the performance for this position. Any disabled applicant who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations, shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, moving, lifting or assisting with lifting 50 pounds on a regular basis and up to 100 pounds on an occasional basis, and performing other work requiring physical exertion, talking, and hearing on a regular basis. These physical demands are required up to 90% of the time. Work is performed in a fast-paced processing, warehouse, retail, and food bank environment with moderate noise levels and may include evening, weekend, and outdoor work.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred; or one year of relevant experience in production, warehouse, thrift, recycling, or related field accepted in lieu of education

Experience

• Experience in production, warehouse, retail, or thrift store environment preferred
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment preferred

Special Skills

• Ability to maintain organization and efficiency in a fast-paced production environment
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community workers
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to follow direction and complete assigned tasks efficiently
• Ability to meet daily production and processing goals
• Basic proficiency with workplace technology preferred

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid driver's license and minimum liability insurance for WA State preferred
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities liability insurance provider
• Forklift experience preferred

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Wage : $17.13-$17.50 per hour

Schedule: 28 hrs per week; availability required during stores hours: Mon-Sat, 9:00am-7:00pm

Benefits:

• WA State Sick Leave- 1 hour for every hour 40 hours worked
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment