Neighborly Retail Assistant

Retail Assistant

PT 16-20 hrs/wk

Neighborly is an ethically sourced, design-driven shop offering home goods, artwork, and gifts for urban Midwesterners. Neighborly sources many of its products from small, independent craftspeople and takes care to find products that fit our particular aesthetic style, are affordable and functional. It began in 2012 and currently operates two brick and mortar locations in Wicker Park and Lincoln Square, as well as a seasonal mini-shop on the Chicago Riverwalk. It is local and woman owned. Please visit our "About" and "Mission" pages to learn more about Neighborly.

Neighborly is looking to hire a part-time Retail Assistant to work 2-3 shifts per week between our Wicker Park and Lincoln Square locations, as well as to assist with a few offsite summer events. Opportunity for additional hours at our Riverwalk location in the summer and in store during the holidays, if desired. Weekend availability is required.

Retail duties include greeting customers in the shop and creating a welcoming customer experience, answering customer questions, offering suggestions, checking customers out, restocking shelves, cleaning, and maintaining shop appearance. They have the important task of representing Neighborly and sharing the shop's story with as many customers as possible throughout the day, as well as acting as an ambassador for the independent artists and makers whose products we carry.

Schedule:
2-3 shifts per week. Weekend availability is required. Availability July 10-12, Sept 12-13, and Oct 2-4 is also preferred. 

Requirements:
> able to confidently approach people and naturally spark conversation; overall must possess a genuinely friendly and outgoing personality. Talking to new people all day fills your cup.

> excellent communication and customer service skills, focusing on building relationships with customers

> be excited to learn and share knowledge about our products with customers, as well as the mission of the shop

> prior experience in retail, hospitality, or a customer service role

> demonstrated interest in independently made products and/or the arts

> ambition to help out in any way, as is necessary in any small business environment

> are a quick learner and thrive in a fast paced, busy work environment

> physical requirements include ability to be on your feet the majority of the work day, lift boxes up to  25 lbs, and carry boxes up and down stairs. This is an interactive retail position, not solely a cashier. Applicants should expect to be moving their entire work day, talking with customers and keeping the shop stocked and organized.

Responsibilities:
> Staff the shop, offering exceptional customer service - greet customers, assist them with product information and recommendations, provide an easy and pleasant shopping experience. Confidence to staff the shop independently as needed. 

> Be a team player and recognize how you can contribute to the bigger picture on a daily basis. You'll be making our customer's days, upholding the look and feel of our store, and significantly contributing to the success of our small business and thereby the success of all the small businesses whose products we carry. This is much more than a "cashier" role, you will not be sitting behind the counter, but on the floor interacting with customers as much as possible.

> Learn in detail about our products, where and how they’re made and who they’re made by.

> Learn and become a wizard at using our POS system, Shopify, to checkout customers, perform returns, and look up product information and inventory.

> Basic merchandising tasks like folding Tshirts, towels, and blankets, rearranging out of place products, etc. Restock shelves when items sell, similarly, replace artwork on wall/display as needed. 

> Assist with keeping the shops clean, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, disposing of trash and recycling. Restock supplies for checkout.

Compensation:
> Starting at $17.50/hr commensurate with experience
> Annual bonus based on company performance
> PTO and sick pay each earned at 1 hr per 35 hours worked
> Employee discount

To apply:
Please no calls or drop-ins. Email your résumé and a short note about why you want to work at Neighborly and if known, include your general schedule availability to getajob [at] neighborlyshop [dot] com and use subject “Retail Assistant”. 

Neighborly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, age, citizenship status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.