Reuse Center Retail Volunteer

The Reuse Center (RC) at Boston Building Resources is a nonprofit building materials reuse program. We accept donations of good-quality new and used building materials and sell them at affordable prices to low- and moderate-income homeowners and nonprofits, and, at slightly higher prices, to the general public. Our inventory includes all types of building materials: complete kitchens, vanities, doors, windows, flooring, electrical, plumbing, sinks, and much more.

The Retail Salesperson position requires an outgoing person who enjoys interacting with people regularly and also has the ability to multitask and to maintain a high level of accuracy when recording transaction details. We generally get to know our customers/members by name, which makes for a unique shopping experience. Our customers are primarily motivated homeowners seeking not only affordable, good-quality materials, but also ideas and strategies for maintaining and improving their homes. A desire to share one’s knowledge related to home improvement is a trait we look for in hiring new staff.

Customer service and in-store sales

• Greet members and customers when they enter the store.
• Explain the RC’s income-based “Plus” membership to new customers.
• Answer customers’ questions and direct them to the materials they are looking for.
• Process sales via POS (point of sale) retail sales program.
• Clearly mark “sold” and “pick-up date” on materials for which someone has rendered a deposit and will pick-up later.
• Assist customers with loading materials in a vehicle, so long as the materials can be fastened securely. If in doubt, ask management for second opinion.
• Maintain a clean, neat, and professional appearance, and treat customers fairly and courteously at all times.
• Answer phones and respond to customer phone inquiries; retrieve messages and return calls.

Warehouse/Store Organization and Maintenance

• Contribute to maintaining an organized, clean, safe warehouse/store, both inside and out, including keeping aisles clean and free of materials.
• Assist with design and implementation of special displays to showcase certain materials in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Assist with the direction of volunteers around the warehouse, including instructing them on specific tasks, safety precautions, and checking on work completed.