Job Description:

The Sales Associate II plays an important role in the Ten Thousand Villages Store. The primary role of the Sales Associate II is to provide customers with a unique shopping experience by utilizing excellent customer service, effective selling techniques, sharing the Villages mission, and providing in-depth product knowledge in a fast paced, fair trade, retail environment. This position is also a key holder responsible to assist store management with daily store operations and visual merchandising.

All duties should be carried out to contribute to company-wide growth in sales and profits, increased productivity, and increased purchases from artisans while keeping expenses within budget.
________________________________________
Duties:
Customer Service (75%)
• Greet, welcome customers and share the mission of the store according to Ten Thousand Villages Sales and Service Standards.
• Determine and understand customers’ needs by asking open-ended questions.
• Explain product features and benefits and artisan stories, while addressing customer desires.
• Suggest additional items while utilizing the Sales and Service Standards to build sales.
• Ring items on the Point-of-Sale system and either gift-wrap or package items to avoid damage.
• Provide customers with available artisan information and gift cards, and invite customers back to store.
• Anticipate and resolve customer service issues.
• Utilize the intranet and on -line catalog to follow through on special orders and customer requests.
• Maintain an awareness of store’s conversion rate goals and meet goals through excellent customer service and effective selling techniques.
• Work with store team to ensure consistent coverage of the sales floor.
• Maintain an awareness and control of loss prevention through attentive customer service.
Store Operations (25%)
• Open and Close the store according to Ten Thousand Villages policies and procedures.
• Maintain displays and back office through regular cleaning, straightening and dusting.
• Assist Store Manager and Assistant Manager with floor moves and maintenance according to Ten Thousand Villages Visual Merchandising Standards.
• Receive, price, and stock orders as they are delivered.
• Review invoices and utilize the Elder tools to update prices.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by Store Manager or Assistant Manager.
• Work as part of an effective team while respecting the roles and contributions of other team members.
• Contribute to overall sales growth of the store through excellent customer service according to Ten Thousand Villages Sales and Service Standards.

Qualifications:
1. 1-2 years customer service and retail sales experience preferred.
2. Self -motivated, outgoing, energetic and enjoy working with people.
3. Confident in arithmetic and data entry skills.
4. Ability to execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
5. Ability to communicate clearly and be a participant of a driven store team.
6. Ability to attractively display merchandise according to company guidelines.
7. Commitment to maintain compliance with Company dress codes and policies.
8. Enthusiastic support of and commitment to Ten Thousand Villages mission and its goals.
9. Physical Requirements:
10. Ability to be mobile on the sales floor for extended periods of time.
11. Must be able to lift and move up to 75lbs, while utilizing appropriate equipment and safety techniques.
Responsible To:

Store Manager
Working Hours:

Part-time, non-exempt position. Must be flexible in scheduling and able to work opening and closing shift at least three times per week, minimum of two Saturdays and two Sundays per month, during annual inventories and entire holiday season (October – December). Vacation is not allowed during the holiday season.

If you are interested in this the employment opportunity at Ten Thousand Villages please submit your resume and letter of interest to manager.clevelandheights@tenthousandvillages.com. Please put the job title in the subject line.

To register for the Ohio Fair Trade Expo click here!

To learn more and register for the Girl Scout fair trade education program click here!

To learn more about One Mango Tree visit: http://www.onemangotree.com/

The fair trade movement and growth of the fair trade market is growing each and every day in the state of Ohio, but it could grow more AND you could be part of it.  The Ohio Fair Trade Network has developed a simple way for you to share the news of your fair trade purchase with people across Ohio, the U.S., and the world!

LEARN HOW!
Each time you purchase a fair trade product take just ten seconds and fill out a super-easy online form at our website found at: http://goo.gl/EKQEF

Once you fill out this form we will TWEET (that means share on Twitter) the news of your fair trade purchase with more than 1,000 people following Ohio Fair Trade Network on Twitter.  It will give people throughout Ohio, our country, and our global community the opportunity to learn how important fair trade is to Ohioans!

So, the next time you make a fair trade purchase, make sure to complete the form at: http://goo.gl/EKQEF - it will only take 10 seconds but will have ripple effects for farmers and artisans for years to come!

You can be part of building the movement by “Connecting a fellow Buckeye” with the Ohio Fair Trade Network! Here is how you can help:

1. Tell a friend or family member about fair trade!
2. Share www.ohiofairtrade.com with those interested in learning more about fair trade!
3. Encourage them to join the Ohio Fair Trade Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn groups!

The Fair Trade movement in Ohio will significantly expand as more consumers and businesses insist that the Fair Trade principles of accountability, transparency, cooperation, and respect for human dignity be integrated into production, trade, and consumption activities. Be part of getting Ohioans more connected with the fair trade movement!

Learn more about the U.S. “World Fair Trade Day” campaign initiated by the Fair Trade Resource Network1

What events are happening in Ohio for World Fair Trade Day?
Midwest Fair Trade Fest – Columbus, Ohio

Send an e-mail to ohio.fair.trade.expo@gmail.com to have your event added to this list.

How else can you celebrate the day?

1. Start your morning with a cup of Fair Trade Certified coffee!
2. Attend a fair trade event – find a listing of events here: http://www.fairtraderesource.org/link-up/events-calendar/
3. Visit a store that focuses on fair trade products in your community – Check out a map of stores in Ohio here!  Or find online stores and stores in other states at: http://www.fairtraderesource.org/change-the-world/buy-fair-trade-products/
4. Learn more about Fair Trade and why we need it!
5. Enjoy a chocolate bar with Fair Trade Certified chocolate or if you are healthy try a Fair Trade Certified banana!
6. Bake with Fair Trade Certified products like sugar or vanilla extract!
7. Be part of Green America’s “Fair Trade Your Supermarket Campaign” by stopping by your local supermarket and ask them to offer more fair trade products
8. Pick-up a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream that has the Fair Trade Certified label on the front, letting you know that particular flavor includes Fair Trade Certified ingredients!
9. Support Ohio Fair Trade Network’s “Connect a Fellow Buckeye with Fair Trade” campaign and encourage someone to join Ohio Fair Trade on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or visit the Ohio Fair Trade Network Blog.
10. Finish your day with a cup of Fair Trade Certified Tea!

This day long festival and conference will embrace culture and educate our community on Fair Trade practices. The event will feature cultural performances from a wide range of international dance and musical groups, Fair Trade and Green vendors, renowned speakers on Fair Trade and sustainability issues, and ethnic foods from Global Gallery’s Global Kitchen.

Tickets available at any Global Gallery location.  ALL ticket just $5.00 each.  Children 12 and under are free.  The event will take place at the Ohio State 4-H Center (2201 Fred Taylor Drive).  Please call 614 621 1744 or 614 262 5535 for more information!  Or click here to visit the event Facebook page.

The Facts

Fair Trade Certified flowers make vibrant bouquets and help farming communities thrive. Fair trade flower workers receive fair wages and benefits that allow them to give back to those around them through health care, education and loans.  Flower industry workers earn poverty-level wages, making less than half of what is needed to meet basic needs and face these realities.

-55% of women workers in Ecuador’s flower plantations have been the victims of some form of sexual harassment in the workplace;
-66% of Colombian and Ecuadorian flower workers suffer from work-related health problems.
-pesticide abuse is rampant; flower workers experience higher-than-average rates of premature births, congenital malformations, and miscarriages
-70-80 hour work weeks are common in the high season. [SOURCE: U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project]

In an industry where women often face discrimination, Fair Trade farms encourage women workers to pursue leadership roles, and also receive paid maternity leave and a guarantee of their job upon their return. Fair Trade flowers are grown without harsh pesticides and growers use agricultural techniques that promote a healthy environment.  Although there are still reports of labor abuses on some plantations that produce Fair Trade Certified flowers (click here to learn more), higher consumer demand for Fair Trade Certified flowers can help empower workers to alleviate those problems.

Don’t be fooled by imitators

Certifications like Veriflora, Rainforest Alliance, and USDA Organic are great in moving toward environmental sustainability. But just because commodities are produced organically, that doesn’t mean that the workers aren’t exploited in the process.

Fair Trade certification is what you need to look for:

Transfair USA	Fair Trade International

What can you do?

BUY FAIR TRADE…

• Look for a Fair Trade Certified logo (see above) on flower sleeves and on individual stems.
• Order fair trade flowers from one of the following vendors:
  • One World Flowers (exclusively Fair Trade Certified): 1-505-489-1117 or online at: http://www.oneworldflowers.org/
  • FTD: 1-800-736-3383 or online at: http://flowers.ftd.com/flowers/Fair-Trade-Certified

   

  ADVOCATE FOR MORE FAIR TRADE FLOWERS…

  • Share information about Fair Trade Certified flowers with your local florist – invite them to learn more at: http://www.fairtradeusa.org/products-partners/flowers-plants

  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEED FOR FAIR TRADE IN OUR WORLD…

  • U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project – Flower Workers & Economic Justice
  • Green America – Fair Trade Certified Flower Facts

  
  

  ]]> http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/14/ask-your-florist-to-carry-fair-trade-certified-flowers/feed/ 0 http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/14/ask-your-florist-to-carry-fair-trade-certified-flowers/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OhioFairTradeNetwork/~3/AfEYLf_3sIY/ http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/11/free-cone-day-is-fair-fair-trade-certified-that-is/#comments Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:10:02 +0000 ckerr http://sites.jcu.edu/ohiofairtrade/?p=1679 April 12th has become a day steeped in tradition for many people around the world, Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day!  It almost seems to be too good to be true.  With a little patience you can be the proud owner of a delicious ice cream cone filled with some of the world’s finest ice cream made with socially and environmentally sustainable ingredients which often include Fair Trade Certified ingredients.  That’s right, you can support small farmers throughout the world by choosing Ben & Jerry flavors sporting the Fair Trade Certified label on the menu board of your local scoop shop.  Ingredients that are Fair Trade Certified include: sugar, coffee, chocolate, and vanilla extract.  In fact, if you think Ben & Jerry’s commitment to Fair Trade is cool now, wait until 2013 when Ben & Jerry’s will on be using Fair Trade Certified ingredients in their ice creams where available.  In other words, by choosing a flavor with Fair Trade Certified ingredients you are part of a growing movement to ensure that farmers are compensated fairly for the production of agriculture products and that the environment is treated with respect.

  You can read more about Ben & Jerry’s flavors with Fair Trade Certified ingredients here.

  Ben & Jerry’s Locations in Ohio that will be hosting “FREE CONE DAY” are:

  Ben & Jerry’s University Heights
  20650 North Park Blvd.,
  University Heights, OH 44118
  216-397-5700
  Get Driving Directions

  shop website

  Ben & Jerry’s Dayton
  1934 Brown Street,
  Dayton, OH 45409
  937-461-1888
  Get Driving Directions

  shop website
  ]]> http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/11/free-cone-day-is-fair-fair-trade-certified-that-is/feed/ 0 http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/11/free-cone-day-is-fair-fair-trade-certified-that-is/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OhioFairTradeNetwork/~3/S7yYFoN0uek/ http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/05/stay-connected-ohio-fair-trade-blog/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:40:23 +0000 admin http://sites.jcu.edu/ohiofairtrade/?p=1627 Want to be in the know?  Get connected to the Ohio Fair Trade BLOG!

  Blogging is something new for the Ohio Fair Trade movement.  You can already connect with us on Facebook and Twitter but the re-development of the new ohiofairtrade.com will include a blog with periodic guest bloggers from across Ohio and maybe even the world, who can offer unique insights on the Ohio fair trade movement.

  Blogging will not only provide website visitors with additional content but will connect us in greater ways with larger audiences.  Included in the blog feature will be the ability for readers to leave comments and initiate discussions around various topics (see below).

  Please let us know who what you would like to hear about or who you think would be a good guest blogger by leaving a comment or sending an e-mail to ohio.fair.trade.expo@gmail.com.

  Thanks!

  Ohio Fair Trade Network

  ]]> http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/05/stay-connected-ohio-fair-trade-blog/feed/ 0 http://ohiofairtrade.com/2011/04/05/stay-connected-ohio-fair-trade-blog/