About the Opportunity
LakeCity Works is looking for an organized, customer-focused Retail Associate to support the growth and day-to-day operations of our retail business, selling handmade, solid wood furniture made by our LakeCity Woodworkers.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working with customers, coordinating orders, and finding better ways to get things done. The Retail Associate will play an important role in strengthening our retail operations by supporting sales, customer service, inventory management and order coordination.
Working closely with our Retail, Production, Development, and Leadership teams, you will help ensure customers receive excellent service.
If you are detail-oriented, comfortable learning new technology, and enjoy turning challenges into practical solutions, we would love to hear from you.
What You'll Do
Customer Service & Sales
- Welcome customers, understand their needs, and help them find products and services that suit their preferences, intended use, and budget.
- Provide information about our furniture, products, materials, customization options, and product care.
- Assist with custom furniture consultations, estimates, quotes, and order documentation.
- Process sales transactions, respond to customer inquiries, and resolve concerns professionally.
- Support online sales, prepare orders for pickup or delivery, and help maintain an inviting, well-organized showroom.
- Assist with showroom opening and closing procedures as required.
Inventory & Showroom Operations
- Assist with inventory counts, stock tracking, reconciliation, and merchandise organization.
- Use point-of-sale and inventory systems and adapt to new technologies as they are introduced.
- Maintain product displays, signage, merchandising, and general showroom presentation.
- Support promotions, seasonal displays, and other retail initiatives.
Order & Production Coordination
- Work with our woodworking and finishing teams to support the accurate and timely completion of customer orders.
- Track orders from initial consultation through production, finishing, pickup, or delivery.
- Communicate order details, customer requirements, missing information, and potential delays to the appropriate teams.
- Help strengthen communication and coordination between retail and production to ensure a smooth customer experience.
Teamwork & Community Engagement
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to support daily operations and a positive customer experience.
- Help orient new team members to retail procedures, systems, and customer service expectations.
- Contribute to a safe, professional, and inclusive work environment.
- Participate in occasional off-site promotions, trade fairs, home shows, and community events, which may include evening or weekend work.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who combines strong customer service skills with organization, initiative, and an interest in improving operational processes.
We are seeking someone who has:
- Experience in a customer-facing role, such as retail, hospitality, food service, or a related environment.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and a professional, approachable manner.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Comfort using computerized systems for transactions, record-keeping, inventory, or administrative tasks.
- The ability to learn new software and adapt to changing systems and procedures.
- A practical, solutions-oriented approach to identifying problems and improving processes.
- The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with others.
- An interest in retail operations, inventory management, order coordination, or process improvement.
Experience with point-of-sale systems, inventory management, order tracking, or coordinating custom products is an asset.
Why Join LakeCity Works?
LakeCity Works is a social enterprise and employment services organization dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for people living with mental illness and other barriers to employment and community participation.
Our social enterprises, including LakeCity Woodworkers, combine quality products and services with a mission that makes a difference in our community. By joining our team, you will contribute to a business that values empowerment, teamwork, accountability, positivity, and impact.
This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to both the customer experience and the systems that support our retail business. You will work alongside a collaborative team and help build processes that support continued growth and long-term success.
Additional Requirements
- A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check is required due to the nature of our work and the people we serve.
- The role involves working in a retail showroom and associated operational areas, with possible exposure to typical woodworking environments, including noise, dust, and scents.
- The position requires a combination of sitting, standing, reaching, bending, and lifting, including the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. without assistance
Interested in joining our team?
If you enjoy helping customers, keeping things organized, and finding practical ways to improve how a business operates, we encourage you to apply.
