East Brunswick - Thrift Store Associate

Goodwill Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (GWNYNJ) believes that the power of work and sustainable fashion is how we unlock the good in our communities. For over 100 years, we have helped people get jobs, stay employed, and progress in careers across New York and Northern New Jersey. We believe that diversity drives innovation and strengthens our workplace. We are committed to fostering our inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and abilities.

The Role / General Purpose

This 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.

Job Responsibilities

• 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 Requirements

Flexibility in your availability is essential to meet the needs of the business which operates Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 9:00pm.

Health & 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.

Benefits

Goodwill NYNJ offers a variety of benefits to Full-Time employees and Part-Time employees working over 30 hours per week:

• Incentives: Eligible to earn incentives for achieving performance targets.
• Discounts: Retail Store Discounts - 50% All year long. Additional discounts for travel, entertainment, etc. through Plum Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement Assistance
• Medical, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Insurance Offerings
• Generous Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation, sick, parental leave, and personal days with increased accrual over time. Additional generous paid prenatal and parental leave.
• Headspace: Free access to hundreds of guided exercises for meditation, sleep, focus, and movement for employees and their loved ones.
• $500 employee referral bonus.
• Retirement Plans: 403(b) with up to 4% employer match after 1 year of service.
  
  

We believe in creating space for everyone to do their best work and have individual and collective impact. We believe in challenging the status quo and setting ambitious goals in the name of doing more good. We believe that being your best self and helping others do the same is how we bring our mission alive. Even if you don’t think you meet all the qualifications listed for the job, we would love to hear from you!

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, or if you are unable to apply through our recruitment portal, please contact us at humanresources@goodwillny.org. We are happy to assist and ensure you have an equal opportunity to apply.