Lead Gift Shop Associate

at  Magnolia Plantation Gardens

The Lead Gift Shop Associate plays a pivotal role in the daily operations of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens’ Gift Shop. This position is responsible for providing exceptional customer service, overseeing sales activities, maintaining inventory, and ensuring the shop reflects the company’s mission, vision, and values. As a team leader, the Lead Associate supports other associates, including scheduling, handles customer inquiries, manages point-of-sale systems, and drives retail performance. They act as a liaison between the Gift Shop Team and the Manager of Retail Services, contributing to the store’s overall success and guest satisfaction.

Essential functions:

• Delivers excellent customer service through engaging and connecting with Magnolia guests in a welcoming and friendly manner; shares information with the guest around MPC promotions and events; supports guests with purchases, offering assistance and suggestions throughout the buying process as needed; enters purchases into Magnolia’s point-of-sale system; takes payment and provides change as needed
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Gift Shop, including opening and closing and cash handling procedures
• Train and mentor Gift Shop Associates, offering guidance on sales techniques, store policies, and customer service standards
• Responsible for driving daily sales goals to meet/exceed budget; manages inventory accuracy; suggests and executes identified opportunities with store standards and merchandising
• Performs daily sales floor inspections from a guest’s viewpoint to ensure the highest level of service and safety for our guests; makes recommendations to the Retail Services Manager to improve the guest experience as needed
• Uses active listening techniques to address and resolve guest inquiries in a timely manner; communicates any operational or guest issues to the management team when applicable
• Stays abreast of company-wide events and general knowledge, promotional Gift Shop events and sales and maintains product knowledge
• Ensures all company policies and processes are executed at a high level

REQUIREMENTS

Competencies:

• Technical Skills: You are versed in point-of-sale (POS) systems and have basic computer and technical skills.
• Customer Service: You’ve got exceptional customer service skills and have 2+ years experience in a customer facing role. Public gardens or attractions experience a plus!
• Result-orientation & Communication: You understand that extraordinary guest experiences aren’t just about what products we have available, but how each interaction makes them feel. Knowing this, you make it a point to ensure that each guest has an immersive, positive experience from the moment they enter through the doors
• Problem solving with proficiency in English and basic math skills: You have experience using point-of-sale and inventory platforms to manage the guest sales and store merchandising management processes
• You have the ability to lift up to 50lbs, stand for extended periods of time, and have the ability to work holidays and weekends as needed
• You embody Magnolia’s core values, and are passionate about its mission

Work Environment:
Clean, well-lit, indoor Gift Shop with persistent interactions with customers on the sales floor with moderate noise levels.

Physical Demands:

• Standing and walking for long periods of time and for the duration of the scheduled shift
• Using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls
• Using stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired
• Lifting and moving merchandise that can weigh up to 35 pounds
• Climbing ladders to retrieve stock
• Balancing on ladders
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, squatting, stooping, or crouching
• Reaching above the shoulder frequently

• Delivers excellent customer service through engaging and connecting with Magnolia guests in a welcoming and friendly manner; shares information with the guest around MPC promotions and events; supports guests with purchases, offering assistance and suggestions throughout the buying process as needed; enters purchases into Magnolia’s point-of-sale system; takes payment and provides change as needed
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Gift Shop, including opening and closing and cash handling procedures
• Train and mentor Gift Shop Associates, offering guidance on sales techniques, store policies, and customer service standards
• Responsible for driving daily sales goals to meet/exceed budget; manages inventory accuracy; suggests and executes identified opportunities with store standards and merchandising
• Performs daily sales floor inspections from a guest’s viewpoint to ensure the highest level of service and safety for our guests; makes recommendations to the Retail Services Manager to improve the guest experience as needed
• Uses active listening techniques to address and resolve guest inquiries in a timely manner; communicates any operational or guest issues to the management team when applicable
• Stays abreast of company-wide events and general knowledge, promotional Gift Shop events and sales and maintains product knowledge
• Ensures all company policies and processes are executed at a high leve