Sales Associate (Store 56, Wichita, KS, Seneca)
ACE Hardware
📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Sales Associate (Store 56, Wichita, KS, Seneca)
🔹 Company: ACE Hardware
🔹 Location: United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time/Part-time/Contract
🔹 Category: Retail
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📌 Essential Job Details
🚀 Job Overview
As a Sales Associate at ACE Hardware's Westlake Ace Hardware chain, you will play a vital role in providing exceptional customer service and maintaining store operations. You will assist customers in finding the right products, stock and organize merchandise, and contribute to creating a clean, safe, and welcoming retail environment.
ASSUMPTION: The Sales Associate role involves a mix of customer-facing responsibilities and operational tasks to support the overall store's functioning. This is a common structure for retail sales positions.
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📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide friendly, knowledgeable, and personalized assistance to customers to help them find the right products and solutions
✅ Stock, price, and organize merchandise across the store to maintain a neat and appealing presentation
✅ Participate in daily store maintenance, including cleaning, organizing, and resetting displays
✅ Communicate any store issues, merchandising ideas, or sales insights to the General Manager
✅ Operate equipment like forklifts to receive and transfer inventory as needed
✅ Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall store operations
ASSUMPTION: The Sales Associate role likely involves a combination of customer service, inventory management, and store upkeep responsibilities to ensure a positive shopping experience for customers.
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🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: High School diploma or GED equivalent
Experience: Formal retail experience preferred
Skills:
- Strong customer service orientation and communication skills
- Knowledge of hardware products and store layout
- Ability to stand, walk, lift up to 25lbs, and climb as needed
- Commitment to ACE Hardware's core values of Service, Passion, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence
ASSUMPTION: Relevant retail experience, product knowledge, and physical capabilities are likely essential for this front-line sales role. The emphasis on ACE Hardware's core values suggests a focus on cultural fit.
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💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $10.00 per hour
Benefits: Not specified
Industry Comparison: The provided hourly rate appears to be in line with or slightly above average for entry-level retail sales associate positions in the Wichita, KS area based on industry data.
ASSUMPTION: The compensation details provided are accurate. Additional benefits information was not included in the original listing.
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📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry Position: ACE Hardware is one of the largest hardware retail chains in the United States, operating over 220 stores nationwide.
Company Size: The Westlake Ace Hardware division, which this role is part of, operates over 150 stores.
Company Stage: As a well-established, century-old company, ACE Hardware is a mature, enterprise-level organization.
ASSUMPTION: The details provided about ACE Hardware's industry positioning, store count, and longevity indicate it is a sizable, reputable hardware retail company.
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📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This Sales Associate role appears to be an entry-level or early career position within the retail operations of ACE Hardware.
Reporting Structure: The Sales Associate will likely report to a Department Specialist or the General Manager of the store.
Team Size/Composition: Store-level teams likely consist of other Sales Associates, Department Specialists, and managerial staff.
Growth Opportunities: Successful Sales Associates may have opportunities to progress into Department Specialist, Supervisor, or managerial roles within the company.
ASSUMPTION: The responsibilities and qualifications suggest this is a foundational retail role with potential for career advancement within ACE Hardware's store operations.
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🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: This in-store Sales Associate role will be based at the Westlake Ace Hardware store location in Wichita, KS.
Geographic Context: Wichita is a major city in Kansas with a diverse economy, including manufacturing, aviation, and healthcare industries.
Work Schedule: Retail sales roles often involve a mix of day, evening, and weekend shifts to cover store operating hours.
Regional Considerations: Kansas has a relatively low cost of living compared to the national average, which may be an attractive factor for job seekers.
ASSUMPTION: As a physical retail location, this role will likely require on-site work during the store's operating hours. The Wichita, KS setting provides some context about the local market and economy.
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💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process: The interview process may involve an initial screening, one or more in-person interviews, and potentially a skills assessment or background check.
Key Assessment Areas: Employers will likely evaluate candidates' customer service skills, product knowledge, work ethic, and cultural fit with ACE Hardware's values.
Application Tips: Applicants should highlight any relevant retail, customer service, or hardware/DIY experience. Emphasize your passion for helping customers and maintaining an organized, clean store environment.
ATS Keywords: Retail associate, sales, customer service, inventory management, store operations, hardware, home improvement
ASSUMPTION: The interview process and assessment criteria are standard for entry-level retail sales roles. Applicants should tailor their application materials accordingly.
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🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Inventory management software
- Forklift and other material handling equipment
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with common retail technologies and equipment is likely expected, even if not explicitly stated.
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👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values: ACE Hardware's core values of Service, Passion, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence suggest a culture of customer-centricity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Work Style: The role requires a friendly, outgoing demeanor, the ability to work well with both customers and colleagues, and a commitment to maintaining a professional, safe, and organized work environment.
Self-Assessment: Consider whether you thrive in a fast-paced, customer-facing retail setting, enjoy hands-on work, and align with ACE Hardware's stated values.
ASSUMPTION: The company's core values and emphasis on customer service, teamwork, and excellence indicate a focused, purpose-driven culture.
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⚠️ Potential Challenges
The Sales Associate role may involve periods of high activity during peak shopping times, requiring the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively. Additionally, the physical nature of the work, including standing, walking, lifting, and operating equipment, may pose some challenges for candidates without relevant experience or physical capabilities.
ASSUMPTION: Retail sales roles often involve periods of high activity and physical demands, which can present challenges for some candidates. However, these are common considerations for this type of position.
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📈 Similar Roles Comparison
The Sales Associate role at ACE Hardware is similar to other entry-level retail sales positions, such as those at home improvement stores, hardware chains, or general merchandise retailers. These roles typically involve a mix of customer service, inventory management, and store operations responsibilities. However, the specific emphasis on hardware product knowledge and the use of equipment like forklifts may differentiate this role from more general retail sales positions.
ASSUMPTION: While the core responsibilities are common for retail sales roles, the hardware focus and use of specialized equipment make this position unique compared to more generic retail sales jobs.
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📝 Sample Projects
- Assist customers in finding the right tools, hardware, or home improvement products to complete their projects
- Restock and organize shelves, end caps, and outdoor merchandise displays to maintain a clean, visually appealing store layout
- Collaborate with the General Manager and Department Specialists to provide feedback on merchandising, pricing, or sales ideas
- Participate in regular store meetings to discuss operational improvements, customer feedback, and new product introductions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are representative of the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, including customer service, inventory management, and cross-functional communication.
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❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. Can you tell me more about the typical daily or weekly tasks involved in this Sales Associate role?
2. What type of training and ongoing support do you provide to help new hires succeed in this position?
3. How does the store team collaborate to deliver an exceptional customer experience?
4. What opportunities for growth and career advancement exist for high-performing Sales Associates?
5. What are the most important qualities or skills you look for in successful candidates for this role?
6. Can you share more about the company culture and work environment at this Westlake Ace Hardware location?
ASSUMPTION: These questions cover key areas of interest for applicants, including job responsibilities, training, teamwork, career progression, and cultural fit. They are designed to help candidates evaluate if this role and company are the right fit.
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📌 Disclaimer
⚠️ This enhanced job description was AI-generated based on the original job listing. Information has been organized and supplemented with industry-standard insights where details were not provided. All assumptions are explicitly labeled. Applicants should verify all details directly with the employer before making decisions based on this content.
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📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To effectively pursue this Sales Associate opportunity at Westlake Ace Hardware, applicants should:
1. Carefully review the job description and application requirements to ensure you meet the stated qualifications.
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant retail, customer service, and hardware/DIY experience.
3. Research the company, its values, and the Wichita, KS location to demonstrate your understanding of the role and culture fit.
4. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview that show your genuine interest and fit for the position.
5. Be ready to discuss your passion for providing exceptional customer service and maintaining an organized, clean retail environment.
6. Follow the provided application link to submit your materials and set up job alerts for similar openings.
By taking these steps, you can position yourself as a strong candidate and increase your chances of securing this rewarding Sales Associate role with Westlake Ace Hardware.
