Highly Skilled Lumber Sales Associate I at Ace Hardware

LBM Sales 1 Associate

Position Summary

The LBM Sales 1 Associate upholds the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of the company while delivering exceptional service to every customer.

This position primarily supports the Contracting and Building Materials area, with a focus on completing stock and special orders, maintaining accurate inventory, coordinating deliveries, and assisting contractors and homeowners with their building material needs.

The LBM Sales 1 Associate is expected to build strong customer relationships, support store sales, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and ensure we have the right product, in the right quantity, at the right time.

Additional duties may be assigned based on the needs of the business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Sales & Operations

• Accurately document customer requests, measurements, instructions, product details, and other important information.
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing lumberyard and contractor deliveries.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe Contracting area and office.
• Stock, organize, price, and label products within the Contracting area.
• Develop a strong working knowledge of stocked and special-order building materials, including their proper applications.
• Efficiently and accurately prepare special orders for contractors and homeowners.
• Maintain assigned stock items and product areas within the Contracting department.
• Answer incoming phone calls professionally and assist customers as needed.
• Accurately process Contracting and warehouse purchases through the cash register.
• Cross-train associates on basic Contracting services, products, and operations.
• Communicate effectively with other departments to ensure customer needs and orders are handled accurately and efficiently.

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service by helping customers select the appropriate products for their projects.
• Explain product features, applications, and proper use when appropriate.
• Acknowledge customers promptly and determine their needs.
• Resolve customer questions, concerns, and complaints professionally and efficiently.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, homeowners, and other customers.
• Follow through on customer orders and requests to ensure a positive experience from start to finish.

Inventory Operations

• Maintain accurate inventory information within the store's system to support appropriate stock levels.
• Complete inventory counts and shoot-outs, research variances, and make necessary corrections.
• Monitor inventory shrink and identify opportunities to reduce theft, damage, and product loss.
• Identify obsolete, discontinued, or slow-moving inventory and assist with appropriate markdown strategies.
• Maintain accurate product location codes.
• Work with receiving, cashiers, and other associates to identify and correct inventory errors.
• Monitor local competition for top-selling products, price-sensitive items, and potential niche opportunities.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to help ensure competitive pricing, product availability, and service.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering to maintain appropriate inventory for customer demand.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• High school diploma or GED.
• A minimum of two years of directly related retail experience is preferred.
• Valid in-state driver's license with an acceptable driving record that meets the standards of the company's insurance carrier.
• Previous sales and marketing experience in a retail environment preferred.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, coworkers, vendors, and all levels of the organization.
• Strong time-management, organizational, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to accurately manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Working knowledge of retail computer systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability and willingness to learn building materials, products, ordering systems, and store procedures.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to stand, sit, bend, reach, and perform repetitive movements for extended periods.
• Ability to safely move, lift, and handle materials weighing up to 40 pounds.

Continuing Education

A minimum of 30 hours of continuing education annually directly related to the responsibilities of this position is required.

Additional Responsibilities

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties or responsibilities.

Job duties, responsibilities, and assigned areas may change based on staffing, operational requirements, customer needs, and the overall needs of the business.

Work schedule

• Monday to Friday
• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Weekend availability

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Other