Job Description

This job description is a summary of essential job functions necessary for the satisfactory performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable those with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Job functions may vary by location.

General Summary

Provides customers with friendly and efficient customer service while processing check-out, exchange and return transactions. Utilizes point of sale equipment effectively and ensures accuracy of transactions. Proactively provides information to customers on products and store events. Monitors and maintains front end according to facility procedures to ensure a welcoming and secure environment.

Essential Job Functions

• Efficiently process checkout, exchange and return transactions utilizing point of sale equipment, including: cash registers, hand held scanners and credit/debit card terminals. Accurately handle cash and make change. Process sale items, coupons and other discounts as necessary and according to terms. Follow facility checkout guidelines and standard operating procedures at all times to ensure fast, accurate and safe service.
• Greet customers in a welcoming and professional manner. Utilize customer-focused interpersonal skills, including: smiling, making eye contact, meeting them in the check-out aisle when possible, helping lift products from carts as appropriate, providing undivided attention, acknowledging they will be assisted soon if waiting during another transaction, and thanking each one for their business.
• Proactively identify opportunities to assist customers and facilitate efficient service. Assess the need for loading assistance, recognize the formation of lines, resolve pricing and merchandise inquiries, utilize product knowledge to make genuinely helpful recommendations and identify selling opportunities. Escalate complex issues to store leadership for assistance.
• Answer incoming telephone calls from customers in a professional and courteous manner. Provide information regarding order status, product availability, current sales, promotions and store events.
• Monitor entrances and exits in an effort to promote store safety, security and minimize merchandise loss. Request receipt or proof of payment in keeping with facility procedures. Escalate potential security concerns to store leadership.
• Provide product merchandising support. Replenish merchandise, face products on shelving, update signage and shelf labeling to ensure a neat and professional presentation according to facility procedures.
• Perform daily housekeeping duties according to facility procedures to ensure a neat, clean and welcoming shopping environment.
• May provide assistance with a variety of other functions to support the team, including daily recovery of aisles, storefront and/or warehouse inventory, loading customer vehicles, facility housekeeping and maintenance, and customer support. Functions and frequency will vary by location.
• Work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, customers, co-workers, equipment, or inventory. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Operate all equipment according to SSC policy and government regulations. Comply with OSHA regulations, Southern States Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, work rules and policies.
• Perform all other job functions as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Requires a High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED). Prefer additional coursework in agriculture, plant science, animal science, or a related field.

Experience: Prefer 6 months of experience in a retail environment providing excellent customer service and operating point of sale equipment. Prefer experience in agribusiness or a related field. Previous Southern States work experience a plus.

Requirements

• Able to learn and consistently demonstrate knowledge of facility guidelines and standard operating procedures for handling cash and utilizing point of sale equipment
• Able to learn and effectively apply knowledge of a variety of store merchandise in order to correctly answer general customer questions and make recommendations
• Able to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
• Attention to detail to perform check-out, exchange and return transactions, handle cash accurately and maintain awareness of merchandise to reduce incidences of loss
• Able to consistently demonstrate customer-focused interpersonal skills, communicate in a positive and professional manner and resolve complaints effectively
• Able to speak, read, write the English language in a proficient manner
• Able to work extended hours to meet business demands

Work Environment

Primarily performs essential job functions indoors in a climate controlled environment. Occasionally works outdoors when assisting customers or accessing merchandise. May not be protected from weather conditions.

May be exposed to hazards including:

• Drafts, temperature changes and wet floors due to facility doors opening during adverse weather and the merchandising and care of plant material
• Merchandise, supplies and tools with sharp edges or containing hazardous materials
• Dust, odors, fumes and hazardous chemicals associated with sales and storage of dry and liquid fertilizers, crop protectants and other agricultural, residential, animal care and home care products
• Moving mechanical parts and vehicles, vibrations and electric current
• Noise levels where hearing protection is optional per PPE Plan

Schedule requirements will vary based on location. Extended hours and/or alternate work schedules may be required. Ability to report to work on time and in adverse weather conditions is required.

Physical Activities & Requirements

• Continuously bend and stoop; manual dexterity (fingers and hands), handle and utilize repetitive hand motion with point of sale terminal equipment, merchandise, and tools; reach with arms and hands for extended periods; stand and walk for extended periods, at times may be on concrete or uneven surfaces; utilize eye/hand coordination; twist back and neck. Pull, push, lift, carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently climb, crouch, stack, and sweep. Pull, push, lift, carry 50-80 pounds.
• Occasionally balance, kneel and shovel. Pull, push, lift, carry 80-100 pounds.

Must be able to speak to co-workers and customers regarding operations and safety. Must be able to hear customer service phone calls, hand held radio, equipment and vehicle sounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Tools & Equipment

Point of sale equipment including cash register, hand held scanner, credit/debit card terminal, telephone, hand held radio, computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax machine, writing instrument, reports, logs, spreadsheets, merchandising diagrams and other tools and equipment as determined by specific location.

Southern States Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws or regulations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, functions and skills required for this job. Functions and requirements may change at any time with or without notice.