Resources
Post a Job
 Special Offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $75 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored jobs are 4.5X more likely to result in a hire.**
  • Invite top candidates to apply with Instant Match
  • Get more visibility in search results
  • Appear to more candidates longer
*The $75 Sponsored Job credit offer is only available for new accounts in the US that post a job and expires one year after account creation. Upon expiration of the credit, users are charged based on Sponsored Job budget. Terms, conditions, and quality standards apply **Indeed data, worldwide

Sales Associate Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Last updated: April 15, 2023

A Sales Associate, or Retail Sales Associate, is responsible for assisting customers throughout the buying process. Their duties include greeting customers when they enter the store, helping customers find specific products or showing them how to use them and ringing up customer purchases on the POS register.

Build a Job Description
Are you a Job Seeker? Find Jobs

Sales Associate duties and responsibilities

Sales associate greeting customers in the store. Perhaps a rack of clothing in the background as a silhouette to illustrate the environment.Text reads: "Sample sales associate duties:Welcome customers into the store,Recommend related products to customers,Explain the benefits of various products,Promote special sales & offers"

The primary duty of a Sales Associate is to promote a company’s products or services through excellent customer service. They welcome customers, guide them through the products, answer questions and make sure guests have a pleasant experience. Some common responsibilities of a Sales Associate include the following: 

  • Welcoming customers into the store
  • Staying knowledgeable about our range of beauty and skin products
  • Explaining to customers the best products for their needs
  • Recommending related products to increase customers’ options and enrich the shopping experience
  • Explaining the benefits and functions of products, method of preparation and how to use them to achieve the best results
  • Accepting and processing orders, operate the POS register and resolve returns issues
  • Promoting special sales, offers and awareness of store loyalty program
Build a Job Description
Are you a Job Seeker? Find Jobs

Sales Associate Job Description Examples

Example 1

At Target Optical, we help people see and look great – and have a blast doing it! We make caring for people’s vision fun.

We offer flexible work schedules and a competitive compensation package including benefits, and because we are part of the eyewear industry leader, Luxottica, there is plenty of opportunities to grow your career. Love fashion? We’ve got you covered. Want a flexible work environment? Done. Want to be the boss of your day? We love your thinking.

There’s always more to see at Target Optical – more style, more fun, and more opportunities to find a career that fits your already-full life. Put your career in focus with us!

General Function

The Sales Associate ensures the delivery of the Target Optical Way and the Guest Experience. The Sales Associate lives out the Target Optical Way by embracing the Mindsets: People Focused, Collaborative, Accountable to Results, Think Differently and Simple, Fun and In Style.

MAJOR Duties AND Responsibilities

  • Delivers the daily sales goal by flawless execution of the Guest Experience behaviors.
  • Ensures the delivery of a simple, fun and in-style fashion experience through the Playground Rules.
  • Builds Brand awareness by daily attracting new Guests from the Host to Optical.
  • Develops and maintains a professional business partnership with the Target Optical doctor and Target Host.
  • Models the Target Optical Personal Style Dress Code.
  • Creates an amazing Guest experience on every visit by accurately fitting and dispensing fashionable product to Guests.
  • Follows all operating policies and procedures at the highest level to include training, timely and accurate implementation of approved marketing/ merchandising programs and promotions, the accurate completion of all sales transactions, and utilization of all sales strategies and resources.
  • Ensures accuracy in all transactions/interactions with the Guest.

    BASIC Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • 1+ years experience in retail or customer service
  • Basic Computer Skills
  • Selling Skills
  • Driver for Results
  • Self-Motivated
  • Critical Thinking
  • Accountability
  • Accuracy in measurements

    Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

    Pay: $18.50 - $22.00 per hour

    Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Shift:
  • 4 hour shift
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Evening shift
  • Morning shift
  • Night shift
    Weekly day range:
  • Monday to Friday
  • Rotating weekends



    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Chicago, IL 60618: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

    Education:
  • High school or equivalent (Required)

    Language:
  • Spanish (Required)

    Shift availability:
  • Night Shift (Required)
  • Day Shift Location: In person

    • Example 2

    Job description

    Everybody (well almost) loves beef jerky and they love working at our store on The Island. As sales associates head back to college, we need some immediate help. Our store is very "first responder and military orientented", and we love our customers. The owner, manager and several associates are retired police officers, and if you have ever been in the store, you know it's a fun and interesting place to visit.Just imagine working here helping the thousands of visitors to our area from all over the United States and the world. We have a huge employee discount and monthly bonuses for our folks. The schedule is made up a month in advance and the manager will work with you. You will start at $14/hour, with your first raise at 3 months. The Island has free parking with a free shuttle, so you won't have to pay like in Gatlinburg. We would love to have responsible, dependable people on our team and would love to hear from you. Only if you are serious and will actually show up for an interview,call the store's owner, Bruce Parker @ 865 456-3535. You won't be disappointed.

    Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

    Salary: From $14.00 per hour

    Benefits:

  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule

    Shift:

  • 8 hour shift

    Ability to commute/relocate:

  • Pigeon Forge, TN 37863: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

    Education:

  • High school or equivalent (Preferred)

    Shift availability:

  • Day Shift (Preferred)
  • Night Shift (Preferred)

    Work Location: One location

    Closed

    View public job page

    Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

    Salary: From $14.00 per hour

    Benefits:

  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule

    Shift:

  • 8 hour shift

    Weekly day range:

  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekend availability

    Ability to commute/relocate:

  • Pigeon Forge, TN 37863: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

    Work Location: One location

    Edit job

    Paused

    View public job page

    Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

    Pay: From $14.00 per hour

    Benefits:
  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule
    Shift:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Night shift
    Weekly day range:
  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekend availability



    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Pigeon Forge, TN 37863: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work Location: One location

    • Example 3

    Come work for us!

    We are looking for dedicated employees to join our team to help our customers have the best experience possible every time they enter a Finish Line Macy's store.

    Our employees are key to our success.

    Position Title: Store Associate

    Summary:Performs sales and customer service tasks by performing the following duties.

    Sample Responsibilities:
  • Performs sales and customer service responsibilities.
  • Performs cashiering, stockroom upkeep and store upkeep as needed.
  • Maintains company standards regarding personal sales metrics.

    This is a summary of some of the key duties, responsibilities, and physical demands expected of this position. It is not intended to be a complete job description.
  • Requires standing approximately 5 “ 8 hours per day usually 3 “ 5 days per week.
  • During peak sale periods (e.g. Holiday, Back-to-School), will work for long periods throughout a 1 “ 12 hour day.
  • Requires stooping and kneeling to place merchandise on customer's feet as well as reaching and pulling to obtain or stock merchandise on storage racks.
  • May be required to climb ladder or ascend/descend stairs in order to stock and/or acquire merchandise for sale.
  • Required to lift items weighing 5 “ 25 lbs regularly. In certain circumstances, weights may be higher.

    Physical Demands “ The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    EEOC Statement: **

    The Finish Line, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local EEO laws. The Finish Line, Inc. prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on the individual's race or color, religion or creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, sex, pregnancy status, age, military status, disability, or any other protected characteristic or class protected by law. The Finish Line, Inc. provides reasonable accommodation for disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

    Job Type: Part-time

    Pay: From $15.00 per hour

    Schedule:
  • 10 hour shift
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekend availability

    Application Question(s):
  • You must be at least 18 years old to work for FinishLine @ Macys. Are you at least 18 years Location: One location

    • Example 4

    Our Sales Associate will be an expert in our products and services and be creative in offering solutions to each customer's needs. Strong sales and tech equipment / computers skills are great backgrounds for this role but are not required.

    This is a full-time or near-full-time position. Our Sales Associate will work a flexible schedule of at least 30 hours per week including rotating some weekends. She or he can earn incremental sales commission pay tied to our business's revenue growth.

    The UPS Store® Fieldstone Farms in Franklin has been in business for 25 years and is a franchised, independently owned company. We offer businesses and consumers fast, efficient, high-quality tech-enabled solutions for printing, packing, shipping, mail and package management, and more.

    Responsibilities and requirements

  • Be an expert in our products and services and guide customers to solutions that meet their needs.

  • Offer additional services / cross-sell to customers. Generate new sales from our wide range of business services.

  • Contribute ideas to improve sales, products, and operations, and work with management to implement improvements.

  • Support colleagues and contribute to a positive and enjoyable work environment.

    Qualifications and other information

    The ideal candidate has sales and service experience, excellent tech equipment / computer skills, and the physical ability to perform this role. Physical requirements may include standing for long periods of time, packing and lifting boxes for shipment, sorting mail, storing inventory, and using tech equipment and computers. Overtime work occasionally may be required and will be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay for any hours exceeding 40 hours in one work week. Employees of The UPS Store® franchises are not employees of UPS / United Parcel Service, Inc.

    Job Type: Part-time

    Pay: From $16.00 per hour

    Supplemental pay

    Work Location: One location

    • Example 5

    Career Description

    Job Description

    We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

    What is a Salesperson?

    Entry level sales position capable of supporting the DIY business and achieve our sales and service objectives. The role has good knowledge of store systems, basic automotive system knowledge and basic part knowledge. The role has the basic ability to source from stores, hubs, pdq, and external suppliers. The role has in-depth knowledge of the store inventory and maintenance processes. Position can be part time or full time. Fleet safety certification preferred.

    Primary Responsibilities**
  • Provide excellent selling experience for DIY customer visits and phone calls
  • Achieve personal sales goal and help store achieve its sales goals
  • Provide DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
  • Maintain store product and operational standards
  • Responsible for inventory processes including truck put away, shoot outs, cycle counts, Back stock, etc.

    Secondary Responsibilities**
  • Store Cleanliness including floors, bathrooms, facing, dusting, parking lot
  • General stocking including truck stocking and back stock
  • Safely deliver parts to customers as needed

    Success Factors**
  • Basic driving and navigation ability
  • Ability to use delivery board system
  • Friendly communication
  • Ability to locate and stock parts
  • Safety knowledge and skills
  • Operating inventory systems and store equipment
  • Parts and automotive system knowledge skills
  • Operating POS and Parts lookup systems
  • Expert at testing and diagnostic equipment for DIY service

    Essential Job Skills Necessary for Success as a Salesperson**
  • Speak and write English (Spanish a plus); communicate effectively and build strong relationships with customers, peers and management
  • Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, parts catalogs, and procedure manuals
  • Use basic math accurately: add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
  • Ability to work an assortment of days, evenings, and weekends as needed

    Prior Experience that Sets a Salesperson up for Success **
  • 2-3 years of successful sales experience in a diverse retail environment, providing superior customer experiences

    Physical Demands

    The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will predominantly be walking or standing. The employee is required to be able to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

    Work Environment    *

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is usually working inside; however, they will occasionally be outside and exposed to various weather conditions while performing such tasks as installing batteries and wiper blades. The employee is also occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; explosives; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

    We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

    Aaprtl

    Job Type: Full-time

    Pay: From $16.50 per hour

    Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Evening shift
  • Holidays
  • Overtime
  • Weekend availability

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • San Jose, CA 95117: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work Location: One location

    • What does a Sales Associate do?

    Sales Associates typically work for retail stores across a range of specialties, including clothing and accessories, technology, beauty, home decor or media and entertainment. They work closely with other Sales Associates to ensure that customers have a positive experience with their business. Their job is to assist customers in finding gifts and other items within their price range while also maintaining the sales goals of their employer. They may also be responsible for purchasing or wearing items sold in their store to be able to describe them to customers in an effective manner.

    Sales Associate skills and qualifications

    A successful Sales Associate candidate should have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed for their duties in the store. They have to be strong in their customer service, sales and knowledge of the store’s products and services. Depending on the business, the ideal applicant may need a college degree, but most Sales Associate positions only require a high school diploma. Some common Sales Associate qualifications include the following:

    • High school diploma or GED
    • In-depth knowledge of beauty and skin products
    • Excellent sales and communication skills
    • Working knowledge of POS payment systems
    • Valid Class-A driver’s license

    Sales Associate Salary Expectations

    A Sales Associate makes an average of $11.30 per hour. Pay rate may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.

    Sales Associate education and training requirements

    Most Sales Associates need a GED certificate or high school diploma to get hired, but some positions may require a college degree. Candidates with work experience are ideal, but expect to provide extensive on-the-job training. This will allow them to have an in-depth understanding of your products or services, company policies and operational procedures. If the role requires special handling, be sure to provide proper training or list it as a requirement in the job description.

    Sales Associates require no certifications or licenses except in a few specialized roles. A great candidate will be an excellent communicator and have exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills. They will also have outstanding sales knowledge, manage their time well and deal with customers professionally.

    Sales Associate experience requirements

    An experienced Sales Associate should be comfortable interacting with customers and spending long periods walking around the store to answer questions about products or services. They will also understand how to operate point of sale systems and have a working knowledge of bookkeeping to balance registers after their shift. A good candidate is knowledgeable about inventory management and has enough experience to promote your business with confidence.

    Sales Associate Job Description Template

    We are looking for a result-driven retail Sales Associate to be responsible for all sales job duties, from generating leads to closing sales. Sales Associate duties and responsibilities include working closely with customers to determine their needs, answer their questions about our products and recommend the right solutions. You should be able to promptly resolve customer complaints and ensure maximum client satisfaction. To be successful as a Sales associate, you should stay up-to-date with product features and maintain our store’s visual appearance in high standards. Ultimately, the duties of a sales associate are to achieve excellent customer service, while consistently meeting the store’s sales goals.

    Responsibilities

    • Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through excellent sales service
    • Assess customer’s needs and provide assistance and information on product features
    • Welcome customers to the store and answer their queries
    • Follow and achieve department’s sales goals on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis
    • “Go the extra mile” to drive sales
    • Maintain in-stock and presentable condition assigned areas
    • Actively seek out customers in store
    • Remain knowledgeable on products offered and discuss available options
    • Process POS (point of sale) purchases
    • Cross-sell products
    • Handle returns of merchandise
    • Team up with co-workers to ensure proper customer service
    • Build productive trust relationships with customers
    • Comply with inventory control procedures
    • Suggest ways to improve sales (e.g. planning marketing activities, changing the store’s design)

    Requirements

    • Proven work experience as a Retail Sales associate, Sales representative or similar role
    • Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices
    • Proficiency in English
    • Basic Math skills
    • Working knowledge of customer and market dynamics and requirements
    • Track record of over-achieving sales quota
    • Hands-on experience with POS transactions
    • Familiarity with inventory procedures
    • Solid communication and interpersonal skills
    • A friendly and energetic personality with customer service focus
    • Ability to perform under pressure and address complaints in a timely manner
    • Availability to work flexible shifts
    • High school degree; BS degree in Marketing or related field would be a plus

    Job description samples for similar positions

    If you’re looking for candidates for similar roles to the Sales Associate, see our job description templates for related positions:

    Ready to Hire a Sales Associate?Build a Sales Associate Job Description

    Frequently asked questions about Sales Associates

    What is the difference between a Sales Associate and a Cashier?

    Both Sales Associates and Cashiers work at retail stores to provide assistance to customers, but they do so in different ways. For example, Sales Associates have a less stationary role than Cashiers because they have the responsibility to engage with customers, redesign displays and show customers how to use or style their products. Sales Associates may also help ring up customers in the absence of a Cashier role.

    In contrast, Cashiers situate themselves behind the counter in a retail store. Their job is solely to help customers check out and process customer payments. They also count the drawer at the beginning and end of their shifts and process returns. Further, Sales Associates may receive commissions for the sales they make, whereas Cashiers typically receive hourly pay.

    What are the daily duties of a Sales Associate?

    On a typical day, a Sales Associate starts by restocking displays and ensuring the store’s cleanliness. Throughout their shift, they greet customers, answer their questions and provide demonstrations about how to use a particular product. During downtime, they clean surfaces, restock shelves, take inventory and rework displays. Those working in small shops receive product shipments and work with other staff to unpack and store new products. After closing, Sales Associates walk around the store restocking items and performing cleaning tasks.

    What qualities make a good Sales Associate?

    A good Sales Associate is someone who has a personable nature. This quality allows them to connect with customers and make them feel comfortable. They enjoy working as part of a team and assist their team members in miscellaneous tasks. Further, a good Sales Associate has a commitment to learning about the products they sell so they can provide customers with accurate, persuasive information. A good Sales Associate also has good social queues and adjusts their communication techniques to enhance their customers’ experiences in their store.

    Job Description Examples

    Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

    No search results found

      *Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.