Retail Associate

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Retail Associate is responsible for ensuring customers have a positive shopping experience. The Associate makes eye contact, smiles, greets all customers in a courteous and friendly manner, treats fellow associates with respect, follows all company best practice standards as outlined in work centers, maintains a clean work area, and ensures proper merchandise presentation. The Retail Associate is expected to be engaged in these tasks throughout all working hours and may be requested to perform additional tasks as required by business needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understands that safety is the number one priority and practices safe behaviors in everything they do.
• Maintains a high level of awareness on the sales floor to create a safe and secure shopping environment for everyone.
• Maintains clutter‑free, clear egress to emergency exits and immediately corrects or reports any unsafe conditions or practices to Store Leadership.
• Treats all customers and associates with respect and courtesy; is friendly and professional at all times.
• Recognizes fellow associates using company recognition programs.
• Assists customers in any way necessary – is register trained, assists customers with merchandise, and answers customer questions in a polite and knowledgeable manner.
• Greets all customers by making eye contact, smiling and saying "hello" throughout the store and saying "thank you" with every register transaction.
• Provides prompt and efficient responses to customers at all times.
• Responds to customer service calls immediately.
• Handles all customer issues in a courteous and helpful way, calling a member of the store leadership when needed.
• Represents and supports the company brand at all times.
• Performs cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, wiping counters and mirrors, replenishing restroom supplies, and disinfecting high‑touch areas including the front‑end, sales floor and restrooms to help maintain merchandise, customer and team areas.
• Maintains a professional appearance and adheres to the company's dress code at all times.
• Performs daily assigned sizing and recovery per company best practice to ensure a neat, clean and organized store that is well‑maintained and efficiently merchandised to standards.
• Expedites newly received merchandise receipts to the sales floor with a sense of urgency and merchandises all items per company best practice to the monthly presentation guidelines.
• Understands the loss prevention awareness program, the shortage highway, the store protection specialist (SPS) position (where applicable), and merchandise protection standards.
• Demonstrates integrity and honesty in all interactions with associates and customers; safeguards confidential information, cash and credit card information, and merchandise.
• Follows all mark‑out‑of‑stock (MOS) policies, including the identification of MOS merchandise, proper processing of each piece and notification of store leadership to review and approve disposals.
• Follows all policies and procedures concerning cash, check, charge card and refund transactions, voids and offline procedures; maintains a high level of awareness and accuracy when handling bankable tenders.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency to efficiently perform their role and maximizes productivity by executing all store best practices and minimizing steps and touches in their workflow.

COMPETENCIES

• Manages work processes.
• Business acumen.
• Plans, aligns & prioritizes.
• Builds talent.
• Collaborates.
• Leads by example.
• Communicates effectively.
• Ensures accountability & execution.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED

• Effectively communicate with customers, associates and store leadership in a friendly, respectful, cooperative and pleasant manner.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations commonly used in retail environments.

PHYSICAL REQURIEMENTS / ADA

• Ability to use all store equipment, including PDTs, registers and PC as required.
• Ability to spend 100% of working time standing, walking and moving around the store.
• Ability to regularly bend at the waist, squat, kneel, climb, carry, reach and stoop.
• Ability to occasionally push, pull and lift more than 25 pounds.
• Ability to use janitorial equipment, rolling racks, ladders and other assigned supplies.
• Associates who work stockroom shifts must be able to push, pull and lift more than 20 pounds.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $16.90 – $17.40 per hour. The base pay is dependent on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, relevant education, certifications, seniority and location. The range listed is one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards vary by position and location. No degree or specific years of experience required. No certifications required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Ross is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of the Company’s overall commitment to attract, hire and develop a strong, talented and diverse workforce. Ross is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), veteran status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.