Retail Sales Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Retail Sales Associate – Full Time

The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Gatlinburg
Starting at $14.75/hour (higher starting pay may be considered based on relevant sales or retail experience)
Approximately 36–38 hours per week

Benefits & Perks

• Free employee parking pass, if needed
• One free 1 oz. product each week
• Employee discount
• Flexible scheduling
• Schedule posted approximately four weeks in advance
• Occasional performance bonuses
• Some daily cash tips

Attention Foodies!

Do you love experimenting with flavors, cooking, tea, or trying new recipes? Do you enjoy helping people and learning about unique products?

The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Gatlinburg is looking for an enthusiastic, dependable Retail Sales Associate to join our team.

This isn't your typical retail shop. Our shelves are filled with gourmet spice blends, loose-leaf teas, salts, sugars, herbs, and other specialty ingredients. Our team helps guests smell, taste, explore, and discover new ways to make food and drinks more flavorful.

You don't need to be a chef or already know everything about spices and tea—we'll teach you! We're looking for someone who is friendly, dependable, comfortable talking with customers, and willing to learn.

What You'll Do

As a Retail Sales Associate, you'll help keep the store running smoothly while creating a welcoming experience for our guests. Responsibilities include:

• Greeting customers and providing friendly, knowledgeable service
• Helping guests select spices, teas, salts, sugars, and other products
• Learning our products and making recommendations based on customer needs
• Operating a cash register and accurately handling cash and card transactions
• Packaging spices, seasonings, salts, sugars, and loose-leaf teas
• Restocking shelves and maintaining inventory
• Checking product labels, pricing, and displays
• Keeping the sales floor, work areas, and equipment clean and organized
• Opening and/or closing the store
• Performing keyholder responsibilities after training
• Completing other normal retail duties as needed

Schedule

We are primarily looking for a full-time employee working approximately 36–38 hours per week .

We commonly schedule four approximately 9-hour shifts per week, but a five-day schedule may also be available. We try to be flexible and can often work with employees who have a second job or other regular commitments.

Our schedule is normally posted four weeks in advance , making it easier to plan ahead.

Weekend and holiday availability is important , as Gatlinburg is a tourism-driven destination and these are often some of our busiest days.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Be dependable and arrive to scheduled shifts on time
• Have reliable transportation to and from work
• Be able to communicate clearly in English with customers and coworkers
• Be comfortable interacting with customers throughout the workday
• Be able to accurately count money and make change
• Be comfortable using a point-of-sale/register system and performing basic math
• Be able to follow written recipes, measurements, procedures, and instructions
• Be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Be able to stand and walk for extended periods during a shift
• Be able to bend, reach, squat, and perform normal stocking and retail tasks
• Be comfortable working around and smelling strong aromas from spices, herbs, teas, and other food products
• Be willing to learn about our products and make recommendations to customers
• Be willing and able to perform opening and closing responsibilities, including working independently when scheduled
• Maintain a clean, professional appearance appropriate for a customer-facing retail environment
• Be willing to come to the Gatlinburg store for an in-person interview as part of the hiring process

Previous retail, sales, food-service, or customer-service experience is preferred, but not required . We are happy to train the right person.

J-1 Students Welcome

J-1 students are welcome to apply provided they are legally authorized to work for us and already have a Social Security Number (SSN) required for payroll.

Applicants must also be able to meet the position's scheduling requirements for the period they are available to work.

About The Spice & Tea Exchange®

We create and share the experience every day! Life is better lived with a little spice.

The Spice & Tea Exchange® was founded in 2008 by people with a passion for food, flavor, and creating memorable experiences. What began as a small shop in St. Augustine, Florida, has grown into a nationwide franchise of independently owned shops.

Our mission—“Creating & sharing the experience of a more flavorful life”—is at the heart of what we do.

Our shops offer a diverse assortment of high-quality spices, handcrafted seasonings, loose-leaf teas, salts, sugars, and other flavorful ingredients in a unique sensory shopping environment. Guests are encouraged to open jars, experience the aromas, discover recipes, and talk with knowledgeable team members about food and flavor.

At The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Gatlinburg, we're committed to creating that experience every day. If you enjoy helping people, learning new things, and working in a unique retail environment, we'd love to meet you.

Ready to join our team? Apply today!

The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Gatlinburg is independently owned and operated. All hiring and employment decisions are made by the local franchisee.