Retail Associate

WeTheHobby is a leading collectibles and sport media company with global reach, partnering closely with companies such as: Topps, Wizards of The Coast/Hasbro, Upper Deck, The Pokémon Company and MORE - delivering premium in-person and digital experiences for collectors from all walks of life. We value creativity, diversity, innovation, dedication, and our communities. Now, WeTheHobby is coming to YOUR community to build our roster! Our work environment includes strong upward mobility opportunities, a team that cares about one another, and a welcoming and inclusive culture. WeTheHobby has partnered with a big-box retailer to be part of a industry-chang­ing "shop-in-a-shop" concept at the Torrance, CA location. Our team will operate within our retail partner's stores focused solely on curating an unmatched educational and entertaining experience for all who visit our shop. The model you will execute is successful today at our flagship sportscard lounge in Rochester, NY. As a benefit to the position, you will spend a company-sponsored "training camp" week at our thoughtfully designed space where collectors shop, learn, and connect (not just buy). You’ll learn about who we are, what we do and why we do it with a relentless focus on the customer experience. More importantly, our training camp will prepare you to be a part of our championship-level team. Since our inception in 2021, WeTheHobby has grown dramatically (and profitably) with over 250 full-time staff and 750,000+ followers across our social and marketplace channels. We operate at the intersection of entertainment, sports, and eCommerce, revolutionizing the way fans engage with sports cards. If you thrive in sales-driven environments and understand the power of entertainment to drive commerce, this is the role for you! See us in action on Whatnot: See us in action on Fanatics Live: Find us on social: @wethehobby (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook) About the role We are a team of energetic, motivated and engaging sales professionals that are focused on raising the bar in sports, collectibles, and entertainment. This new team will directly influence revenue expansion, customer trust, and brand reputation. The opportunities for growth with WeTheHobby beyond this initial draft position are endless! The ideal candidate has a passion for, and knowledge of "The Hobby" (collectibles/trading cards) that they enjoy sharing with others. The best candidates will possess a customer-curiosity and a genuine desire to speak with visitors from a place of concierge level orientation and looking to help. This knowledge and care for the customer experience is only matched by our authenticity and community-first attitude! All team members will drive revenue via on-site POS sales; while aiming to enhance the fan experience through the power of collecting and act as a brand ambassador for WeTheHobby. This role is on-site in Torrance, CA , with strong upward mobility opportunities for short-term growth for successful performance. Come join a forward-thinking team, raising the standards of sports collectibles and playing a major role in an explosive and exciting industry What you'll do Employees are responsible for maintaining a welcoming environment, protecting inventory, and delivering professional customer service. Be authentically you! Act as a positive, professional representative of the WeTheHobby brand. Greet customers with enthusiasm and engage in conversation about the hobby. Become a brand and product expert to expand trust and build relationships. Share your expertise of the product on the shelves, including new product releases. Understand the products customers are likely to ask about but not in our inventory. Show your customer curiosity by asking questions and demonstrating active listening. Make recommendations on products that match their needs and preferences, taking care to mention current sales, promotions, and/or loyalty programs. Create awareness of WeTheHobby live-stream breaks and social content. Understand customer types and preferences, shopper experience levels, sales trends, and market demand to curate experience and offerings. Uphold the highest standards of presentation, atmosphere, and appeal for your shop. Manage inventory, including receiving, and maintaining stock levels of product. Execute sales and referral strategies, while maintaining top-shelf service. Employ proven sales methods to enhance the shopping experience and drive revenue. Craft a premium customer experience tailored to hobbyists and collectible clientele, ensuring their unique needs and preferences are met. Provide personalized service, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and offering tailored recommendations to high-value clients, including referrals to our VIP Program. Help build and sustain a loyal, engaged collector community. Qualifications Thrives in an entrepreneurial, hyper-growth environment where priorities evolve regularly, and decisions are made quickly. Knowledge of sports, collectibles, and/or live-selling platforms is strongly preferred (or a clear willingness to learn). Excellent verbal communication skills with coworkers, customers, and partners. Exceptional attention to detail when dealing with product and store appearance. Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on building and cultivating relationships. Strong problem-solving skills with sound judgement and the ability to de-escalate customer concerns. Basic computer proficiency and comfort learning new platforms and tools quickly. Passion for customer experience and a mindset focused on service excellence A team player that fosters trust and integrity through communication. Willing and able to work non-traditional business hours (nighttime/weekends). Growth-oriented mindset and ability to accept coaching and constructive feedback. Hospitality experience a plus. Knowledge of POS (point of sale) systems a plus. Experience with product listings, e-commerce, or social commerce a plus. Experience with buying/selling cards or collectibles a plus. Physical Requirements Ability to stand for extended periods. Walking within retail or warehouse setting as needed. Lift and carry items such as product cases, shipping and receiving equipment, and small office equipment weighing up to 50 pounds Regularly bend, stoop, reach above head or ascend stairs in an office environment Compensation The pay / salary for this position is $20.00 per hour, based on location in Torrance, CA Team members should expect to be scheduled for35 hours each week across five days. Hours of operation are 10:00am – 9:00pm (Mon-Sat), and 10:00am – 8:00pm on Sundays. Shifts will start as early as 9:30am, and closing shifts end 30 minutes after store closing. Exceptions to this are expected during the busy weeks leading up to the holiday season. Reports directly to our onsite WeTheHobby leadership. Tocomply with Federal law, WeTheHobby participates in E-Verify. All newly hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Background Check Requirement: All offers for Retail Associate positions will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check following acceptance of the offer. #J-18808-Ljbffr WeTheHobby