Retail and Hub Assistant

The Retail and Hub Assistant (RHA) works closely with the AKOMA Market Coordinator to facilitate sales, fulfill orders, and source products for the Best of AKOMA Market Hub(s) and Retail counter(s), Box virtual and group orders and related pop-up retail events (collectively, the “Best of Akoma Spaces”).   In addition, the RHA will serve as the on-site presence for the organization at the 1955 Best of Oakland Incubator Hub  (“1955 Hub”) to provide high-quality support and services to operators of retail, food, and beverage counters and their customers, partners, and vendors.  The RHA is responsible for collaborating with shared services, and strategic and program teams throughout the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation with a goal to increase Best of Akoma Spaces sales and increase the1955 Hub’s growth and revenue. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Customer Service

  • Welcome and greet customers to our counter, pop-up, and/or the Hub

  • Identify customers' needs and wants

  • Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the products for sale at the Best of Akoma Spaces and  1955 Hub to provide advice and recommendations as needed.

    • Keep up to date with product information

    • Accurately describe product features and benefits

  • Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent sales service.  

  • Inform customers of shop promotions to encourage purchases.

  • Address and resolve customers' complaints in a professional manner.

  • Monitor customer activities to prevent incidents of shoplifting

  • Issue and document complaints, safety, or other incidents in a daily report. 

• Visual Merchandising

  • In collaboration with the ED and SDAG Teams, create the Visual Merchandising Plan (the “VMP”) for the Best of Akoma Spaces and 1955 Hub.

  • Arrange Best of Akoma Spaces  window, shelf, table, virtual  and counter displays, in compliance with the VMP and to promote sales

  • Coordinate with Retail, Food, and Beverage Counter operators at the 1955 Hub on a collective Visual Merchandising Plan

  • Maintain outstanding store condition and ensure that the store is presentable throughout the shift and ready for the upcoming shift.

  • Maintain outstanding visual merchandising standard

  • Ensure the sales floor is organized according to the established guidelines

• Inventory Management

  • Organize and restock shelves and reserves for the: 

    • Best of AKOMA Counter @ 1955

    • Best of AKOMA Pop Up Tent @ AKOMA On The Road

    • Best of AKOMA Subscription Boxes (subscription, bulk orders, and brick-and-mortar)

  • Receive, process, and organize shipments, deliveries, and bulk purchases accordingly.

    • Inspect

    • Update Inventory Reports

  • Maintain proper inventory controls, facilitate inventory transactions and bulk count 

• Point of Sale

  • Manage Point of Sale (POS) processes including, but not limited to, returns, refunds, voided transactions,  and discounts.

  • Make sure that the cash registers are balanced throughout the shift. 

  • Perform regular price audits to identify and correct price discrepancies.

• Operations

  • Daily Operations

    • Ensure the store is opened on time and according to opening procedures

    • Ensure the store operates according to daily procedures

    • Ensure the store is secured at closing by checking if the doors are locked, alarms are set and all safes are locked and follow all closing procedures

    • Keep daily records of key activities including, but not limited to, store sales, damages, deposit log, scheduling, discounts, and on/off-boarding paperwork

    • Track clock-in times for retail, food, and beverage counter operators and team members and address problems with late arrivals. 

    • Make and adjust Counter and Sales Floor staffing schedules

  • Marketing

    • Assist the ED Team/Group in realizing or exceeding determined sales plans and target metric objectives

    • Ensure consistent execution of the company’s marketing and visual presentation

  • Oversee Counter Sales Associates (non-anticipated at this time)

    • Work together to complete operations tasks as necessary to increase sales. 

    • Delegate operational tasks to Associates, as backup or in addition to RHA needed. to make sure all shifts are properly supervised, regardless of whether the Retail Assistant Manager is present.

    • Work alongside Associates to check out customers, restock the shelves and keep the Counter and Hub visually appealing. 

    • Instruct Associates on how to store and display merchandise to attract the most customers.

    • Support Counter Sales Associates to drive sales through consistent development of product knowledge and customer service standards

• Demonstrate effective communication skills and achieve exceptional customer service at all times.

• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures and report concerns to Team Steward

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED

• 4 years of recent experience in retail sales.

• Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices

• Proficiency in English

• Must be organized with attention to detail and accuracy

• Basic administration skills

• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing

• Independent and innovative self-starter who can display an ability to learn rapidly and adapt to quickly changing situations

• Belief and commitment to BCZ’s mission and C.R.E.A.T.E. values

Minimum Requirements

• The ability to stand for extended periods.

• The ability to use labeling and pricing equipment as well as Point of Sale (POS) software.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills.

• Effective communication skills.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills

• Solid communication and interpersonal skills

• Friendly, helpful, confident, and engaging personality

• Exceptional ability to work collaboratively and to provide excellent customer service to internal staff and external partners

• Excellent people skills to manage and resolve conflicts with customers and communicate with Team stewards.