Merchandiser - Furniture Consignment / Donations (10 to 20 hours)

Join our Team!

In 1991, a group of close friends, whose lives had been affected by cancer, collaborated with Wellness House to found The Courtyard, a consignment shop owned by Wellness House. The dedicated volunteers combined their love of interior design with a desire to help others to create an environment that relies solely on high-quality donations and consignments. 100% of the proceeds from the Courtyard benefit Wellness House programming.

At The Courtyard, we are always looking for friendly, adaptable, and dedicated team members. The Courtyard’s merchandise is always changing and unique. With a career at The Courtyard, your work will directly support Wellness House.

A Meaningful Mission

Wellness House is a nonprofit based in Hinsdale that envisions a community where all people affected by cancer thrive. Offered at no cost, and as a complement to medical treatment, our programs educate, support, and empower participants in order to help them improve their physical and emotional well-being.

Summary Job Description:

Department: Finance and Operations

Supervised by: Courtyard Store Manager

Supervises: Courtyard Contractors\Volunteers

Status: Part time, Non-exempt

Schedule: 10-20 hours per week

Location: Hybrid: able to work remotely and on-site at The Courtyard located in Hinsdale

The Courtyard Merchandiser is responsible for merchandise selection, scheduling, pricing, intake, inventory management and marketing for The Courtyard, a volunteer driven donation/consignment shop supporting Wellness House.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Merchandising (75%)

• Maintain knowledge of secondary market for home furnishings
• Monitor pricing in the resale market for home furnishings
• Monitor local market for competitors in resale consignment for home furnishings
• Estimate consumer demand and determine the types and amounts of goods to be sold.
• Set prices for items based on forecasts of customer demand.
• Review and respond to incoming merchandise emails in a timely and professional manner
• Monitor sales and plan utilization of retail floor space to maximize merchandise displays and product sales
• Select merchandise for The Courtyard and schedule appointments for consignors
• Examine merchandise to ensure that it is correctly priced and displayed and that it functions as advertised.
• Maintain excellent incoming and outgoing records utilizing spreadsheets and other technology tools
• Manage positive ongoing relationships with consignors
• Manage the merchandise intake process including greeting consignors, pricing merchandise and writing up items in accordance with procedures
• Continuously improve merchandise intake policies and procedures to maximize sales and operational effectiveness
• Sticker items to maintain intake integrity
• Supervise merchandise intake volunteers to enter merchandise into the system, tag and place merchandise
• Oversee moving contractor(s) for merchandise pickup, move-in and move-out

Marketing (20%)

• Develop and execute a marketing plan for the Courtyard in collaboration with qualified volunteers and\or contractors
• Plan and execute social media sites/postings/interactions in collaboration with qualified volunteers and\or contractors
• Send/Post regularly scheduled customer emails or Instagram posts – including bargains and other information
• Strengthen the connection between Wellness House and the Courtyard with customers, consignors, and volunteers

Other (5%)

• Protect organization's value by keeping information confidential
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations
• Perform general tasks and other duties as assigned

Performance Measures:

To be filled in each year during annual evaluation by employee and supervisor

Education: Bachelor's degree is generally required or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Experience: Minimum of three years of professional experience in retail management with direct reports. Minimum of three years of merchandising experience. Experience with marketing via social media and other modalities.

Special Knowledge & Skills: Advanced knowledge of the retail and consignment sectors, specifically related to regional geographic area, as well as working knowledge of the primary aspects/objectives of the position such as retail management. Merchandising knowledge specifically related to the home furnishings secondary market and trends in resale pricing. Knowledge and aptitude working with Microsoft Office. Demonstrated analytical, creative, and motivational skills in previous work and/or volunteer settings.

Demonstrated Competencies: Solid organization and planning skills; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written; ability to collaborate with peers and provide constructive feedback to others; results orientation; ability to handle multiple priorities and solve complex problems; demontstrate sound judgement and decision making; innovative thinker; initiative; highly ethical; ability to work within a team and motivate others; commitment to the mission of Wellness House.

Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Wellness House is an EOE.

Benefits:

Employees who work 20 hours or more are eligible to participate in our 403(b) plan with employer match