Sales Associate Material Handler

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Website Talent Ali

Job Summary: Sales Associate / Material Handler

The Salvation Army (TSA) is hiring a Sales Associate / Material Handler for its Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) retail operations in Colorado Springs, CO. This hybrid role bridges the gap between customer service and warehouse logistics. You are responsible for the entire lifecycle of a donation: from courteously receiving items at a donor’s vehicle to sorting, pricing, and ultimately merchandising those items on the sales floor. By maintaining a clean, safe, and organized store, you directly fund the TSA’s no-fee rehabilitation programs for men and women in the community.

Key Responsibilities

  • Customer & Donor Engagement: Provide a “genuine greeting” and professional assistance to all shoppers and donors. You are the face of the organization’s mission to “Do The Most Good.”

  • Material Handling & Sorting: Assist donors with unloading items from vehicles, provide tax receipts, and efficiently sort donations into proper categories (apparel, housewares, etc.) as directed by management.

  • Merchandising: Stock the sales floor with priced inventory, ensuring displays are neat, attractive, and “shoppable.”

  • POS Operations: Accurately handle cash transactions and point-of-sale (POS) systems in accordance with strict TSA policies.

  • Quality Assurance: Inspect all incoming donations for defects or damages to ensure only high-quality items reach the sales floor.

  • Facility Maintenance: Perform daily cleaning duties, including sweeping, dusting, and organizing the donation drop-off zone.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Age & Education: Must be at least 18 years old with a High School Diploma or GED.

  • Cash Handling: Demonstrated ability to perform accurate math and cash register operations.

  • Compliance: Ability to pass a comprehensive background check (including Criminal History and Sex Offender Registry).

  • Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for interacting with a diverse group of management, donors, and customers.

  • Physical Stamina: * Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

    • Ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive motions for an 8-hour shift.

    • Comfort with pushing/pulling heavy carts, furniture dollies, and rolling racks.

Compensation & Benefits (2026)

  • Pay Rate: Based on current 2026 listings for the Colorado Springs area, the starting rate for this position is approximately $14.81 – $15.16 per hour.

  • Retirement: Eligibility for a Pension Plan (typically after one year of service) and a 403(b) voluntary tax-deferred annuity.

  • Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) is accrued from the date of hire; part-time associates are also eligible for certain paid absence time.

  • Employee Perks:

    • Significant Employee Discounts at Salvation Army Thrift Stores.

    • Employee Referral Bonuses.

    • Supplemental insurance options through AFLAC.

Mission Impact: The ARC “Circle of Grace”

In 2026, The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers remain the largest no-fee residential recovery network in the United States.

  • Self-Sustaining Model: 100% of the profits from your store’s sales stay local to fund the Colorado Springs ARC. Every $15-$20 in sales can provide a day of food and shelter for a program participant.

  • Recovery Statistics: Nationally, the ARC program assists over 150,000 people annually in overcoming substance abuse. The “Work Therapy” component of the program often involves participants working alongside retail staff, providing you an opportunity to mentor and support those in recovery.

  • Environmental Impact: By processing and selling used goods, your role helps divert millions of pounds of textiles and furniture from Colorado landfills each year.

Interview & Application Insights

  • The “Mission” Connection: Be prepared to explain why you want to work for a non-profit. TSA values employees who are “diligent and devoted” to the social cause, not just the retail task.

  • Safety Awareness: Since the role involves significant manual labor, highlight your commitment to safety. Mention your familiarity with “Team Lifting” for heavy furniture or your experience keeping work aisles clear of trip hazards.

  • Flexibility: The Colorado Springs stores operate 7 days a week (9 a.m. – 8 p.m.). Clearly state your availability for evening and weekend shifts, as “adequate store coverage” is a top priority for management.

    Category Details & Specifications
    Employer The Salvation Army (Adult Rehabilitation Center – ARC)
    Location Colorado Springs, CO, United States
    Role Type Retail / Logistics Support
    Mission Supporting the Women’s Rehabilitation Program
    Schedule 7 days/week (9am–8pm operations); requires weekend/holiday flexibility

    Retail Operations & Logistics

    This role is a hybrid of traditional retail sales and heavy-duty material handling. You are responsible for the entire lifecycle of a donation—from the moment it leaves a donor’s vehicle to the moment it is sold on the floor.

    Functional Area Actionable Tasks
    Donor Relations Assisting donors with unloading vehicles and providing tax receipts with a “genuine greeting.”
    Processing Sorting donated materials into proper containers; inspecting for defects (Quality Assurance).
    Merchandising Stocking priced items on the sales floor and maintaining a clean, organized “shop-able” environment.
    Point of Sale Accurately handling cash transactions and following all POS/Cash Register policies.
    Inventory Receiving, unloading, and stacking incoming inventory efficiently and safely.

    Mandatory Qualifications & Physical Standards

    • Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old with a High School diploma or GED.

    • Compliance: Must pass a comprehensive background check (Criminal History and Sex Offender Registry).

    • Technical: Ability to accurately handle cash and operate a POS system.

    • Physical Demands:

      • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs independently.

      • Capacity for repetitive motions: bending, squatting, kneeling, and twisting.

      • Proficiency with equipment: hand trucks, furniture dollies, platform trucks, and clothing racks.

    Total Rewards & Career Pathing

    Working for The Salvation Army offers a benefits package geared toward long-term stability within a non-profit structure:

    • Financial Security: Access to a Retirement Plan and AFLAC supplemental insurance.

    • Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) and employee discounts at retail locations.

    • Development: Opportunities for career growth within the ARC or broader Salvation Army network.

    • Referrals: Employee referral bonuses for helping build the team.

    Comparison: Colorado Springs Retail & Service Roles

    Metric Salvation Army Associate Home Depot Sales Ziggi’s Barista
    Primary Focus Non-Profit / Rehab Support DIY / Construction Specialty Coffee
    Physical Intensity High (Donation Handling) Moderate (Aisle Maint.) Moderate (Standing)
    Key Skill Sorting / Quality Control Product Knowledge Beverage Craft
    Salary Style Hourly + Benefits Hourly + Profit Sharing Hourly + Tips
    Work Pace Variable (Donation Surges) High (Seasonal) High (Morning Rushes)

To apply for this job please visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk.