East Brunswick NJ - Thrift Store Associate

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. 

Position Title: Thrift Store Associate

Location: Troy, New York 

Benefit Classification: Hourly

Position Type:  Full-Time

About Goodwill NYNJ: 

At Goodwill NYNJ, we empower individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to gain independence through the power of work. Founded more than 109 years ago, Goodwill believes in never leaving talent behind and that a positive world is where all talents are recognized.  Operating over 30 retail locations, Goodwill is known for its retail stores and is a destination for donating goods – our retail operations make a material, sustainable impact on textile reuse. 

Join our team and be part of something meaningful. Here, your work creates opportunities for yourself and for others in the community. 

The Thrift Store Associate is a fast-paced production role responsible for receiving donations and preparing them for sale. The role includes sorting, tagging, pricing, and preparing merchandise for the sales floor. The position requires the ability to stand for extended periods and to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds while working with a high volume of inventory. Maintaining stockroom organization, ensuring quality control, and following safety standards are essential to success in this role.

The Awesome Things You’ll Do

• Sort, grade, and inspect donations (textiles, housewares, electronics, shoes, and accessories) for quality and condition.
• Tag and price merchandise according to company standards, meeting production goals per hour).
• Prepare items on rolling racks and carts for transport to the sales floor, meeting company standards for full fixtures. 
• Organize and separate items for e-commerce and clearance departments, accurately labeling all goods
• Follow safety procedures and operational guidelines to maintain a clean and secure work environment.
• Provide excellent customer and donor service, including accepting donations, issuing receipts, and ensuring the donation area remains neat and organized when needed.
• Support Goodwill’s mission by maximizing efficiency and productivity in daily tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the store team and broader organizational goals.                         

 Schedule

• This is a full-time role, requiring Weekdays and some weekends, both Saturday and Sunday flexibility.
• Flexibility in your availability is essential to meet the needs of the business which operates Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 9:00pm.  

Safety Guidelines

This role involves handling pre-owned merchandise, which may contain allergens, dust, or other substances. Goodwill provides training, protective equipment, and follows safety protocols to ensure a clean and secure work environment. Employees must follow all safety guidelines and report concerns to management. 

Our Must Haves

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior experience in customer service, donation processing, retail, or warehouse environments is a plus.
• Ability to provide friendly, respectful service to a diverse donor and customer population.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and operational guidelines.
• Comfortable performing physical tasks, including lifting, sorting, and standing for extended periods.
• Basic communication and teamwork skills.

What We Offer

• Generous time off policy to use when you need it
• Health, wellness, and financial resources to help you achieve your personal goals
• Robust health benefits including medical, dental, vision, parental leaves, and company-sponsored life insurance
• Retirement matching programs and contributions
• Transit and commuter benefits