Rock Yard Associate

Job Title: Yard Associate – Rock Yard (full or part time)

Location: San Jose, CA (on-site)

Company: Payless Hardware, Rockery & Nursery

Compensation: $18.45 - $25.00 hourly, based on experience and qualifications; non-exempt position

About Us:

Payless Hardware, Rockery & Nursery is a locally owned and operated business serving the San Jose community for over 50 years. We specialize in hardware, landscaping materials, plants, and garden supplies. We pride ourselves on offering excellent customer service and knowledgeable support for all home improvement and landscaping needs.

Position Overview:

We are looking for a hardworking and dependable Yard Associate to join our outdoor rock yard team. In this role, you’ll provide exceptional customer service while assisting customers with their landscaping and hardscaping material needs. You’ll help maintain the yard’s appearance, manage inventory, and ensure accurate and efficient loading and unloading of materials. This is a physically active, extensive labor, outdoor position that requires teamwork, attention to detail, and a positive attitude.  

Key Responsibilities: 

The responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Greet and assist customers with product selection, loading, and inquiries about rock, soil, and landscaping materials.  
• Safely load and unload trucks and customer vehicles with bulk and bagged materials.  
• Keep the rock yard clean, organized, and safe, ensuring products are well-stocked and displayed properly.  
• Operate forklifts, loaders, cement mixer and other equipment (training provided).  
• Monitor stock levels and report shortages or damaged goods.  
• Ensure accurate scooping levels of materials.
• Help company drivers load and unload materials for deliveries.
• Work closely with other yard associates and store team members to ensure smooth daily operations.  
• Follow safety protocols and maintain a safe working environment at all times.  
• Unpacking and organizing yard material
• Clean, maintain and organize rental equipment, including lubricating, power washing and basic maintenance
• Check in and out rentals, performing basic maintenance checks and demonstrating proper, safe usage for customers
• Execute the daily operational goals and priorities assigned by store management
• Work continually on increasing their knowledge of our inventory and its uses
• Keep up a clean and orderly store appearance
• Move with a sense of urgency while paying attention to the details.
• Adhere to loss prevention, inventory control, and compliance procedures
• Reads work order, invoice, verify proof of purchase and/or follow oral instructions to determine materials needing moved and/or loaded
• Help customers and team members in other departments and areas
• Handle other duties as assigned in our ever-changing retail environment

Requirements:  

• Valid driver’s license
• Clean driving record
• Ability to report to all scheduled shifts on time and ready to work each workday.
• Positive attitude and ability to work well with a team.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Previous experience in landscaping, construction, or a similar outdoor/physical role is a plus.  
• Strong customer service skills and a positive, team-oriented attitude.  
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly and daily and work in various weather conditions.  
• Ability to stand for an extended period, walk, climb, kneel, reach and stoop
• Ability to work outdoors in a fast-paced environment.  
• Basic knowledge of building, landscaping and aggregate materials (rock, soil, mulch, etc.) preferred but not required — training provided.  
• Forklift experience or willingness to learn and get certified.  
• Reliable transportation and punctuality.  
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays as needed.  
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus but not required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Hourly range: $18.45 - $25.00 hourly
• Health and dental insurance (for eligible employees) 
• 401(K) option (for eligible employees) 
• Paid time off (for eligible employees)
• Employee discounts on products
• Opportunities for growth within a locally owned, community-focused business
• Supportive and team-oriented work environment
• Paid training

Employment Type: Full or part time, hourly

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

At-Will Employment Notice:

Employment with Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery is at-will. This means if hired your employment is not for a fixed term and may be terminated by you or the company at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, subject to applicable laws.

We are your local hardware store and we are a part of your community. Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of your community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal...just like it ought to be. While others have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.

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