Retail Sales Associate - FT

Retail Sales Associate - FT

The Retail Sales Associate will play a vital role in delivering an exceptional in-store experience for customers shopping for aftermarket automotive accessories. This position will assist customers in identifying the right products for their vehicles, provide knowledgeable recommendations, and ensure the store is clean, organized, and visually appealing. This role supports daily retail operations and works closely with team members to achieve sales goals and enhance customer satisfaction.

Core functions include delivering an exceptional and engaging customer experience through product knowledge, active listening, and a customer-first mindset. Assist customers in selecting and purchasing aftermarket truck and automotive accessories, answering questions about fitment, function, and compatibility. Maintain a strong understanding of in-store products, promotions, and services, staying informed about new arrivals and industry trends. Maintain store cleanliness, organization, and visual merchandising standards to ensure a premium retail experience. Support inventory control procedures including restocking, tagging, and cycle counts. Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system efficiently for transactions, returns, and exchanges. Participate in daily team huddles and contribute to achieving store sales goals and performance metrics. Support product displays, promotional setups, and in-store events. Partner with other associates and store leadership to maintain a positive and collaborative team environment. Continuously build product knowledge through training resources and hands-on experience. Represent the brand at local events and assist with community engagement efforts to promote store traffic and awareness. Act as a liaison between customers and the installation team to ensure product readiness and clear understanding of installation requirements.

Qualifications and requirements include a high school diploma or GED required, minimum 1 year of retail sales experience required; automotive aftermarket or specialty retail experience is a strong plus. Passion for the automotive industry and strong knowledge of vehicle accessories, modifications, and product trends. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport quickly. Proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. Proficiency in POS systems and Microsoft Office Suite. Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Valid driver's license and a clean driving record.

Skills, abilities, and knowledge include being team-oriented, dependable, and willing to take initiative. Ability to assess customer needs and recommend appropriate automotive products and services. Consultative selling techniques and upselling/cross-selling expertise. Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed individual and team sales targets. Professional demeanor with a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences. Basic knowledge interpreting technical documents, vehicle schematics, and work orders. Excellent communication skills to interact positively with customers and address their concerns effectively. In-depth understanding of aftermarket automotive accessories, parts, and installation services. Knowledge of current automotive retail trends and consumer preferences. Familiarity with vehicle makes, models, and compatibility of products. Knowledge of promotional campaigns and ability to execute marketing initiatives at store level.

Travel is minimal – 20%. Competencies include adapting to changes in the work environment; managing competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments. Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals. Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.

Supervisor responsibilities are individual contributor: working team member with no oversight of others and no management responsibilities.

Physical requirements include heavy work: exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. This position is subject to the following physical activities: bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching to retrieve or stock products, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing. Visual acuity for reading product labels, POS screens, and technical information. Ability to distinguish colors, shapes, and product details for accurate sales and stocking. Visual acuity to assess vehicle accessory fitment or product compatibility. Awareness of surroundings for safety when working around vehicles, equipment, and moving parts.

Working conditions include a retail store setting with exposure to both customer-facing sales floor and stockroom/warehouse areas. Possible exposure to vehicle exhaust, dust, grease, and cleaning agents. Moderate to high noise levels from customer activity, tools, or installation services. Interaction with a wide variety of customers, team members, and service technicians. Work schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays depending on business needs. Fast-paced environment requiring multitasking and adaptability to shifting priorities.