Business-to-Business

Business-to-Business (B2B)

The General Store and Outpost locations. Home store is The General Store

General Summary

The business-to-business associate works to build up the sales with business shopping our stores by working with current B2B customers, obtaining new B2B customers, and working with those B2B customers that have slowed down or quit purchasing from us. Research has shown that the B2B customer shops 12 times more often each year than the regular customer. The B2B customer also spends almost twice per transaction than the average customer. This person will interpret and utilize the various B2B reports to help grow the business. In addition, working on the sales floor assisting customers and looking for new potential B2B prospects. In between B2B tasks, this person will assist with merchandising and other tasks, as requested by management. This person will report to the Operations Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Customer Service
  • Provide positive representation of store.
  • Proactively assist customers in solving problems.
  • Greet customers throughout the store. Thank customers when finished and when they are leaving.
  • Provide a friendly, outgoing demeanor; work well with customers as well as associates.
  • Ensure all calls and pages are answered promptly, courteously and effectively.
  • Handle customer complaints. Work to resolve problems with the customer and have store’s best interest taken into consideration.
  • Possess excellent product knowledge and knowledge of store layout and location of products.
  • Utilize the B2B reports to make calls to business to obtain and grow purchases with them.
  • Work on special orders for their customers.
  • Must be highly organized and keep track of all calls and interactions of businesses. Follow-up and communication are essential.
  • Assist Office Manager with obtaining contact information for businesses and keeping the information accurate and current.
  • Visit and / or call local businesses and teach them about our B2B program and how it can help them.
  • Store Operations
  • Ensure a positive, professional and safe work environment for all associates.
  • Assist the Manager in general operations of their department.
  • Provide feedback to the Manager with ordering and maintaining desirable product inventory levels to ensure department profitability in compliance with corporate objectives, and to assist with in-stocks their customers are looking for.
  • Follow all practices, policies and procedures necessary to manage inventory shrink.
  • Assist with the daily maintenance, orderliness and cleanliness of the sales floor, stock room and outdoor merchandise areas.
  • Assist the Manager to ensure completion of tasks in a timely manner.
  • Store Support Operations
  • Assist the Manager to ensure the implementation of Store Support programs.
  • Assist the Manager for successful Loss Prevention, Safety and Internal Audits that relate to their department.
  • Assist with special projects within the district as set forth by their Manager, the General Manager / Owner.
  • Training of Associates
  • Communicate and train all store associates on B2B and how to grow the business.
  • Leadership
  • Stay current on B2B reports and take action as needed.
  • Communicate daily to the leadership team on all B2B updates on getting new customers and wins with the B2B program.
  • Proactively work with the Operations manager on other merchandising tasks as directed.

Qualifications

  • Education/Training
  • High School or GED equivalent required; degree preferred.
  • Experience
  • Must have previous retail or sales background.
  • Physical Demands
  • Standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs.) and climbing.

Locally Owned Since 1946

The General Store has been around since 1946. What was once a small surplus store is now the best department store in Spokane, WA, and it is still locally owned by the same family. In addition to being an ACE Hardware store, The General Store has an amazing Clothing department with top brands, an Automotive department that has a full line of custom and replacement parts for imports and domestics vehicles, a Sporting Goods department with a huge section of products for fishing, hunting, and all outdoor activities, and the largest Toy department in Eastern Washington.

In 2012, our 2nd store on N. Argonne Rd. was added which consists of a full-size Ace Hardware store, sporting goods, marine and RV, and one of the best fishing departments in the area.

October, 2022, our new Liberty Lake opened which consists of a full-size Ace Hardware store, marine and RV supplies, fishing tackle, and a small sporting goods department to compliment the activities of the local community.

Job Type

Full-time

Full-time hourly provides the following benefits

  • (40 hours min. / week) with open availability to work all shifts any day of the week. Aflac is offered on the 1st of the month after completing 60 days. Medical, Dental, and Vision are offered after 90 days of employment effective the following month. 401k after one year of employment and has a company match of 100% up to 3% contribution rate, and a 50% match up to 5%. Employee discount at 25% above cost after 1st PTO – 1 weeks earned incrementally each pay period and will equal 1 week after 1 year. More weeks can be earned as described in the employee handbook.