Thrifty Lil Bou Thang Assistant Store Manager
Organization: Micah 6:8 Initiative
Location: Rogers, Arkansas
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Thrift Store Manager
Supervises: Store employees, trainees, and volunteers as assigned
Position Summary
The Assistant Store Manager supports the daily operation, growth, and community impact of Thrifty Lil Bou Thang, a nonprofit thrift and vintage resale store operated by Micah 6:8 Initiative. Proceeds from the store support programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Northwest Arkansas.
This position has primary responsibility for online sales and organic social media marketing. The Assistant Manager will research, photograph, describe, price, list, store, package, and prepare merchandise for shipment through approved online sales platforms. The position will also create consistent, engaging social media content that promotes merchandise, increases store traffic, strengthens the Thrifty Lil Bou Thang brand, and communicates the store’s connection to Micah 6:8 Initiative’s mission.
The Assistant Manager also supports in-store operations and assumes responsibility for the store in the Manager’s absence. This is a hands-on position requiring creativity, strong organization, retail judgment, attention to detail, and comfort working in both physical and online resale environments.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesOnline Sales and Inventory
- Serve as the primary staff member responsible for listing merchandise on approved online sales platforms.
- Research merchandise using AI to identify maker, age, condition, comparable sales, market demand, optimal pricing and platforms, as well as titles, tags, descriptions and other required information for listing on platforms designated by the organization.
- Select merchandise that is likely to generate a stronger return through online or specialty resale than through in-store sale.
- Photograph merchandise clearly and attractively, including relevant details, labels, measurements, condition issues, and identifying marks.
- Measure, price, categorize, and list merchandise according to the requirements and best practices of each sales platform, disclosing damage, wear, repairs, missing parts, or other condition concerns accurately.
- Maintain organized storage of listed merchandise so items can be located promptly when sold.
- Assign or maintain inventory numbers and ensure online merchandise is not accidentally sold through another channel.
- Monitor listings and update pricing, offers, promotions, and other information as authorized.
- Respond promptly and professionally to customer questions, offers, and other online communications.
- Remove sold, transferred, or unavailable merchandise from all applicable platforms.
- Monitor online sales performance and recommend changes to platforms, product selection, pricing, or listing practices.
Packaging and Shipping Preparation
- Retrieve sold merchandise promptly and verify that the correct item is being fulfilled.
- Select packaging materials appropriate to the item’s size, weight, value, and fragility.
- Package merchandise carefully to reduce the risk of damage during shipment.
- Calculate or verify package dimensions and weight.
- Prepare shipping labels, packing slips, and other required documentation.
- Ensure orders are prepared for shipment within the applicable platform’s handling period.
- Maintain organized supplies of boxes, packing materials, labels, tape, and shipping equipment.
- Reuse donated packaging materials when practical, clean, and suitable for safe shipment.
- Track outgoing orders and assist with lost packages, damage claims, returns, refunds, and other customer-service issues.
- Maintain accurate records of shipping costs, platform fees, refunds, and related expenses.
Organic Social Media Marketing
- Serve as the primary creator and coordinator of regular organic social media content for Thrifty Lil Bou Thang.
- Photograph and feature new arrivals, vintage finds, collectibles, seasonal merchandise, store displays, sales, special events, and behind-the-scenes activities.
- Write engaging captions consistent with the store’s distinctive, friendly, creative, and mission-centered voice.
- Create and maintain a consistent posting schedule across approved social media platforms.
- Use appropriate hashtags, location tags, product tags, short-form video, stories, reels, and other platform features to expand organic reach.
- Promote in-store and online merchandise without overstating its age, origin, maker, rarity, or value.
- Tell the story of how purchases support Micah 6:8 Initiative’s programs while protecting the dignity and privacy of program participants.
- Encourage customer interaction through questions, polls, previews, product features, and other appropriate content.
- Respond professionally and promptly to public comments and direct messages.
- Monitor organic engagement, reach, follower growth, clicks, and other available performance information.
- Identify the types of content that produce the strongest engagement and sales response.
- Recommend content themes, posting schedules, collaborations, and other practical strategies to improve organic visibility.
- Coordinate content with the Store Manager and obtain approval for sensitive, unusual, or organization-wide communications.
- Follow Micah 6:8 Initiative policies regarding confidentiality, photography, branding, social media, and use of organizational accounts.
- This position focuses primarily on organic content and posting and is not expected to manage paid advertising campaigns unless specifically assigned.
Store Operations
- Assist with opening and closing procedures, cash handling, point-of-sale transactions, customer service, and store security.
- Serve as the person in charge when the Store Manager is absent or delegates responsibility.
- Help maintain a clean, organized, safe, and visually appealing store.
- Assist with receiving, sorting, cleaning, researching, pricing, displaying, storing, and rotating donated merchandise.
- Help ensure that new donations are processed promptly and that valuable or unusual items receive appropriate research.
- Support attractive merchandising and regularly refreshed displays.
- Monitor online orders, customer messages, and store needs while balancing competing priorities.
- Identify and promptly report operational, maintenance, inventory, technology, or safety concerns.
- Help implement procedures that improve sales, efficiency, organization, and profitability.
Staff, Volunteer, and Trainee Support
- Help orient, train, direct, and support employees, volunteers, and job-training participants as assigned.
- Provide clear work instructions and model professional customer service, workplace communication, organization, and reliability.
- Train designated team members in photography, measurements, inventory organization, packaging, shipping, and other online-sales processes.
- Create a respectful and supportive workplace that values people from varied backgrounds and life experiences.
- Recognize that trainees may require additional coaching while maintaining reasonable workplace expectations.
- Communicate performance, conduct, attendance, safety, or boundary concerns promptly to the Store Manager.
- Maintain professional boundaries with employees, volunteers, donors, customers, and program participants.
Mission and Community Engagement
- Represent Thrifty Lil Bou Thang and Micah 6:8 Initiative positively in person and online.
- Help customers understand that purchases support services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Use storytelling that promotes dignity, opportunity, job training, community integration, and responsible stewardship.
- Protect confidential information and never post information or images identifying program participants without proper authorization and documented consent.
- Support volunteer involvement, job training, skill development, and microenterprise opportunities consistent with store operations.
- Treat all people with dignity, respect, fairness, and compassion.
Financial and Administrative Responsibilities
- Safeguard merchandise, cash, equipment, shipping supplies, keys, passwords, customer information, and organizational accounts.
- Maintain accurate records of online inventory, sales, platform fees, shipping expenses, returns, refunds, and related transactions.
- Protect login credentials and use only approved devices, accounts, platforms, and payment methods.
- Reconcile online sales information with store records and provide reports to the Store Manager as requested.
- Obtain authorization before issuing unusual refunds, significantly reducing prices, purchasing supplies, or making unapproved commitments.
- Participate in staff meetings, planning, fundraising activities, and special events as requested.
- Perform other duties reasonably related to the position or the needs of the organization.
Qualifications
- Experience with online resale platforms such as eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or similar platforms strongly preferred.
- Experience creating organic content for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or comparable social media platforms preferred.
- Strong photography, writing, spelling, research, and basic editing skills.
- Ability to create accurate, appealing, search-friendly product listings.
- Knowledge of vintage, antique, collectible, designer, fashion, home décor, or secondhand merchandise preferred.
- Ability to recognize potentially valuable merchandise and determine when additional research is needed.
- Experience with packaging, shipping, inventory management, retail, thrift, resale, or consignment preferred.
- Supervisory or key-holder experience preferred.
- Strong organizational, customer-service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable learning and using point-of-sale systems, online selling platforms, social media tools, shipping software, email, spreadsheets, and basic office technology.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet shipping deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
- Sound judgment regarding pricing, public communications, customer concerns, and confidential information.
- Dependable, honest, resourceful, creative, and attentive to detail.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Micah 6:8 Initiative.
- Ability to work respectfully with people experiencing homelessness, poverty, disability, recovery, or other significant life challenges.
- Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record preferred.
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, reach, climb step stools, and regularly lift or move merchandise and shipping packages weighing up to approximately 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to use a computer, smartphone, camera, printer, shipping scale, and related equipment for extended periods.
- Ability to work in a retail and donation-processing environment that may include dust, used merchandise, and changing temperatures.
- Availability to work scheduled store hours, which may include some Saturdays, evenings, holidays, donation pickups, or special events.
- Ability to monitor time-sensitive online orders and customer communications within established work schedules.
- Reliable transportation and dependable attendance are required.
Additional Requirements
Employment may be contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference checks, a criminal-background check, and any other screening required by Micah 6:8 Initiative. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant and will be considered in relation to the responsibilities of the position.
Micah 6:8 Initiative is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities as required by law.
Pay: From $15.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
