Classification: Non-Exempt Type: Part Time (10-20 hours/week)

Reports to: Retail Store Lead Date: June 2024

Location: Bend, OR (On-Site) Duration: Jun 2024 - Sep 2024

Summary/Objective

This position is responsible for engaging with customers in a retail setting to assist with product selection, provide product education, and represent the Ruffwear brand to create exceptional customer experiences. This position supports ongoing store merchandising and inventory management, as well as testing of new retail concepts for the Ruffwear brand.

Position Requirements

• Interact with customers to provide exceptional service that enhances their experience and relationship with the Ruffwear brand.
• Contribute to achieving sales revenue targets through customer outfitting and sales of Ruffwear products.
• Be an ambassador to the Ruffwear brand and share the company’s mission and values.
• Educate customers on products, usage, fitting, and care, and guide customers toward product recommendations based on their needs.
• Manage the point-of-sale system and process customer transactions accurately.
• Support the execution and maintenance of inventory, merchandising, and store cleanliness standards.
• Open the retail store for business and/or close the store at the end of the day without supervision.
• Confidently interact with dogs (and their humans) in a retail environment.
• Availability to work a variety of store hours, including weekdays and weekends.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a retail store setting. The position requires the ability to lift heavy objects, such as boxes of product (up to 50 lbs), stand for extended periods, bend, and/or kneel on the floor.

Business Unusual

At Ruffwear, we believe success goes beyond making great gear. Started as a one-person endeavor in 1994, Ruffwear has gained the support of dogs and humans around the world and is one of Outside Magazine's 100 Best Places to Work. Known for innovative products that help people and dogs of all abilities enjoy outdoor spaces together, our “pack” values diverse thinking and voices from different backgrounds. We appreciate a willingness to take intentional risks that promote creativity, strengthen customer relationships, and reduce our impact on the planet. Our privately held company reinvests profits back into our business to keep it sustainable and nimble, and we partner with organizations like The Conservation Alliance to help protect the lands and waterways where canines and humans connect and thrive. Based in Bend, Oregon, we test our products and explore with our own dogs among our nearby forests, rivers, and mountains. Our headquarters recently underwent an innovative renovation to provide a workspace that enhances the wellbeing and creativity of our pack. Our warm and collaborative atmosphere fosters the sharing of ideas through respectful and stimulating dialogue and helps us implement new initiatives with gusto.

Travel

No travel is required for this role.

Required Education and Experience

• 1 - 3 years of retail or customer service experience.
• 18 years or older.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• A knack for connecting with people and helping them feel valued.
• Ability to handle customer service issues in a calm, effective, and professional manner.
• Passion for dogs and first-hand understanding of the interactive bond between canines and humans.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in cash handling and working with Point-Of-Sale (POS) systems.
• Experience in the outdoor, pet, and/or consumer products industry.
• Passion for the outdoors.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Perks (Job Benefits):

We believe that our employees and their achievements drive our success and that rewards must be mutual. We always keep employee experience in mind as we work to create a quality work-life balance for everyone in the Pack.

Pay Rate: $18.00-$19.00 hourly

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base pay rate for this position. The actual base pay rate will depend on several factors such as experience, knowledge, and skills.

Here is a snapshot of the benefits we provide for Temporary Seasonal Employees:

• 50% off Ruffwear products
  
• Sick Leave
• Annual company-wide outings and regular virtual/in-person events.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

As a mission-driven brand, Ruffwear is deeply committed to putting people first and creating a space where we can be our authentic self. We welcome, embrace, and celebrate all people regardless of gender, age, race, disability, nationality, ethnicity, faith, or sexual orientation.

We encourage you to apply regardless of your experience within the outdoor industry. At Ruffwear we believe that experience comes from a variety of places. We look for individuals who are curious, collaborative, and treat others with respect and gratitude. Show us how your experiences have shaped you and how you can contribute to Ruffwear in our mission to foster canine and human connections outdoors. We can’t wait for you to share with us your personal story!