Thrift Shop Associate

Canada, British Columbia, Abbotsford

Applications due: 30 Jan, 2026

Job Synopsis

Please note: This is a 3-month term position, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and organizational needs.

JOB MISSION STATEMENT

MCC BC is a non-profit organization with Thrift Shops that generate revenue to support MCC's world-changing relief, development, and peace work by offering affordable treasures to thrifty British Columbians. Thrift Shops are also an important way that MCC BC invites our communities, as customers, volunteers, and employees, into our work. As a Thrift Shop Associate, your retail experience helps you efficiently receive, drive and deliver, process and merchandise donated products and serve customers with speed and friendliness.

JOB SUMMARY

Working in MCC BC's Centre Thrift Shop, located in Abbotsford, BC, reporting to the Manager, Thrift Shop and under the day-to-day supervision of the Shop's leadership team, the Thrift Shop Associate assists in all aspects of the shop's "back-of-house" and "front-of-house" operations, with a particular focus on back-of-house. Back-of-house responsibilities may include driving and delivery, receiving, warehousing, processing/sorting, preparing, pricing, staging and organizing and tidying the retail floor.

Working in the receiving area, warehouse, from a delivery truck, and on the retail floor, the Thrift Shop Associate collaborates with volunteers, colleague employees and shop leaders to create a compelling MCC BC Thrift experience. You'll work directly with customers, volunteers, employees, donors and members of the community in a manner that reflects Christian integrity, exemplifying the beliefs, values, and mission of Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia in the workplace.

As an integral member of the team, this position requires a personal alignment with MCC BC's Christian identity and values, which are rooted in Jesus, the broader community of faith, and the work of reconciliation. The role includes participation in devotionals and prayer within MCC BC, as well as at churches or faith gatherings, and calls for representing MCC and its work with integrity in all settings.

Job Details

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active participation in a Christian church or Christian community, and nonviolent peacemaking.
• Be positive, adaptable, honest, communicate well, work hard and be willing to learn
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant thrift, customer service and/or retail experience
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• Valid driver's license, including a satisfactory driver's abstract
• Satisfactory criminal record check (upon hire)

PREFFERED

• Experience driving a one-ton truck is an asset
• Knowledge of the second-hand merchandise market & basic ability to assess quality of clothing, housewares, and furniture is an asset

Key Responsibilities

Include, but are not limited to:

BACK OF HOUSE OPERATIONS

• Receiving: welcome inventory donors, assisting them with unloading donations, assessing the suitability of donations, pre-sorting for efficient storage or disposal, and maintaining a tidy, safe and welcoming receiving area.
• Warehousing: ensure inventory is stored efficiently, safely and within the systems, processes and places established by shop leaders.
• Inventory processing, sorting and pricing: sort, classify, assess and price all types of inventory using the systems, processes and procedures established by shop leaders.
• Inventory preparing and repairing: in collaboration with volunteers and colleagues, clean, fix and maintain inventory in preparation for storing or merchandising.
• Inventory staging: prepare and place merchandise for movement onto the retail floor.
• Tidying and organizing: ensure that back-of-house areas, including receiving areas, warehouse, staging areas and common areas are organized, clean, well-maintained to achieve MCC BC standards of tidiness, organization and optimal efficiency.

FRONT OF HOUSE OPERATIONS

• Customer assistance: provide service and assistance directly to customers and donors on the retail floor, at the Customer Service desk, change rooms, at check-out and on the phone.
• Cash handling and check out: assist with check out services and processes, including customer service and assistance, cash handling, till systems, balancing, and error handing.
• Inventory stocking and merchandising: ensure displays, fixtures and shelves have adequate, attractive, appropriate and well-organized inventory for purchase, moving from back-of-house staging areas as appropriate.
• Tidying & organizing: ensure that front-of-house areas, including the merchandise floor, till areas, vestibules, change rooms, and customer washrooms are organized, clean, well-maintained to achieve MCC BC standards of tidiness, organization and optimal customer experience.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

• Store presentation: assist with maintaining, including tidying and minor repairs, of the shop's interior and exterior spaces to achieve MCC BC standards of tidiness, organization and optimal customer experience.
• Store safety: assist in resolving any conflicts arising with customers or volunteers in a manner that reflects MCC BC's values for peaceful and respectful conflict resolution.
• Driving and delivery: pick up and deliver large inventory, including furniture and appliances, from homes and businesses using a MCC BC delivery vehicle, including: scheduling pick ups and deliveries by phone, email or in person; courteously communicating inventory acceptability to donors; carefully moving large inventory by hand or with dollies through private and public spaces and in and out of the MCC BC delivery vehicle; safely and efficiently driving a one-ton delivery truck; and ensuring that the MCC BC delivery vehicle is kept in optimal operating condition.

TEAM PARTICIPATION

• Demonstrate MCC BC's commitment to Christian mission, values, behaviours and approaches as defined in the qualifications, in all formal and informal interactions with any stakeholder.
• Support volunteers and colleague employees, proactively providing assistance as required in back-of-house and front-of-house areas.
• Participate in team meetings, including devotions and prayers with personnel and assist with team events, when required.
• Adhere to MCC BC's Code of Conduct, policies, practices, and procedures, including Workplace Health and Safety
• Work collaboratively to create and maintain an organizational culture that prevents and responds to situations of abuse of power (sexual harassment, child abuse, racism, exploitation, and fraud, among other situations)
• Perform other duties as requested

Challenges

Diverse group of stakeholders;Physically demanding work;Occasional evening and weekend work

Start Date

17 Feb, may be adjusted, or until suitable candidate is identified.

Term Length

6 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and organizational needs.

Salary Details

. $46,360-$50,070 annually. Placement within this range will be based on qualifications.

Benefits

With this salaried short-term position, benefits include mandatory employer contributions towards CPP, EI, WCB. Generous vacation and sick day allowance, and Employee Assistance Program supports staff wellness.

Additional Information

This position is temporary full-time working 40 hours per week.

Business operating hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Work shifts may begin prior to or extend later than operating hours. Supporting special organizational initiatives may require working extended, after or holiday hours, as necessary.

Work environment and physical demands: Work is performed in a retail thrift shop / shipping & receiving environment, with exposure to varying temperatures, dust, and moderate noise. Role requires spending significant time seated while driving, and frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting and moving heavy objects. Use of carts, ladders, and other equipment may be necessary. Duties may include working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Appropriate footwear is required; some duties may require wearing personal protective equipment. Job may be met with multiple demands at once from customers, volunteers and employees; responding positively and capably throughout. Job may require contact with vulnerable individuals, including people in crisis who may be distressed or hostile.

Location Description

This position is located at MCC BC's Centre Thrift Shop in Abbotsford, British Columbia. On occasion, training and meetings may require travel to other MCC BC locations within British Columbia.