Retail Associate - Flex

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full-Time Hourly Staff
• Grade Level: 3

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Art Institute Retail department is an omni-channel operation that looks to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience. The team’s primary focus is to ensure a positive and engaging guest experience throughout the visit and beyond, helping to create lasting relationships between the museum and its visitors.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As a Retail Associate, you'll thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, who is cross-trained. This role is about ensuring a smooth operation that enhances the shopping experience for every guest. You'll be part of a dedicated team that values your unique skills that is responsible for end-to-end experience. The Retail Associate is an associate who can be placed in any area of the store they are needed.  If you love both sales and operations of retail, this is the perfect role for you.  

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Acts as an ambassador to the Museum by supporting the Art Institute of Chicago’s mission and upholds our company culture that shapes both the visitor and team member experience.
• Associate flexible and role varies daily.  They are placed in any area of the store they are needed for that day to support both sales and operations.
• This role is about ensuring a smooth operation that enhances the shopping experience for every client while thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced, flexible environment.
• Greet and engage guests in conversations for purposes of sharing and selling museum store merchandise related to the Art Institute’s collections and exhibitions.  
• Cross-selling products to increase customer satisfaction and business revenue
• Introducing promotions and opportunities to customers
• Work with guests to determine their needs and be able to recommend appropriate products
• Assist in ensuring that the merchandise is maintained throughout the day by keeping the display area clean, ensuring proper pricing is displayed and restocking of merchandise
• Participate and use available product knowledge training to stay up to date on product features and how it relates to the collection and exhibitions of The Art Institute of Chicago.
• Operates point–of-sale system with accuracy to ensure proper protocols, including correct software usage, accurate data capture, and consistent messaging in communication is made with guests
• Follows inventory control procedures and guidelines with cash and merchandise handling
• Effectively and accurately provides information to guests regarding museum policies, exhibits, collections, special events and programs
• Provides a warm, welcoming greeting, is friendly and approachable, and resolves conflict in a professional and courteous manner
• Ensuring Accurate Order Fulfillment: Ensure orders are accurately fulfilled and excellent service is provided during pickup
• Maintaining Inventory: Help maintain a well-stocked store for our guests
• Store Maintenance: Contribute to a clean, smoothly operating store
• Inventory Loss Prevention: Participate in efforts to maintain a safe and secure shopping environment
• Maintains appearance, organization and cleanliness of receiving area, stockrooms and sales floor. Loads and unloads stock to/from warehouse truck, using special care to prevent damage of merchandise. Operates manual lift, hydraulic skid lift, hand truck and dollies as required to move merchandise. 
• Receives all merchandise into Chain Drive Inventory system and assures all merchandise received from main warehouse and store rooms are priced correctly and match shipping manifests. 
• Reports discrepancies or damages to Operations Manager. 
• Routes all merchandise to the sales floor and stockrooms. Places stock in appropriate areas, breaks down boxes and removes trash from receiving and stockroom areas. 
• Performs daily morning sales floor recovery and maintains throughout the day, restocking product as needed. 
• Restocks store supplies (bags, gift boxes, tissue, etc.) daily before store opening and as needed throughout the day. 
• Responsible for re-ticketing merchandise to reflect price changes including all stock on-hand in stockrooms and sales floor on effective date. Ensures any merchandise received from the main warehouse arrives with current price tickets and informs Operations Manager of any ticketing discrepancies. 
• Maintains compliance with all fire code regulations. 
• Participates in all cycle counts and physical inventories as requested including preparation and physical counts of product. 
• Monitors incoming packages and routes as needed. 
• Provides support and assistance to sales and merchandising teams as needed. 
• Participate in and use available product knowledge training to stay up to date on product features and how it relates to the collection and exhibitions of The Art Institute of Chicago. 
• Assist with other departments’ needs, as needed, including working effectively with other museum staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires regular lifting of objects weighing up to 25 pounds
• Requires standing up to 5 hours at a time
• General mobility, including frequent movement throughout the museum, including kneeling, bending, and lifting up to fifty (25) pounds. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED 
• Minimum 1-year warehouse or stockroom experience preferred
• Must have a basic knowledge of customer service best practices and possess good communication skills 
• Ability to learn and use Chain Drive, the Museum Shop’s point of sales system as well as inventory management systems 
• Ability to operate manual lift, hydraulic skid lift, hand truck and dollies as required to move merchandise. 
• Effectively able to read, write and communicate with customers, peers and management 
• Be well organized and thorough with close attention to detail and follow-through 
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, and before or after hours as needed 

UNION INFO

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.