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Goodwill Retail Store Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Drives retail business operations at a Retail Store location for Goodwill of the San Francisco Bay, to help fund the Goodwill mission of ending unemployment. Responsible for entire store production ...

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Goodwill Retail Store information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11

$23

$36

How much do goodwill retail store jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for goodwill retail store in Chicago, IL is $23.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.84 and $27.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Goodwill Retail Store vs Retail Associate?

AspectGoodwill Retail StoreRetail Associate
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, basic customer service skillsHigh school diploma or equivalent, customer service experience
Work EnvironmentRetail store, donation processing, sales floorSales floor, customer interaction, inventory management
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofit thrift stores, retail industryFor-profit retail stores, retail industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Goodwill Retail Store employees focus on donation processing, sales, and customer service within a nonprofit environment, often involving community service aspects. Retail Associates work in for-profit retail settings, performing similar customer service and sales duties. While both roles require basic retail skills and involve working with customers, Goodwill Retail Store positions emphasize community impact and donation handling, whereas Retail Associates typically focus on sales and inventory in commercial retail stores.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Goodwill Retail Store associate, and why are they important?

To excel as a Goodwill Retail Store Associate, you need basic retail knowledge, customer service skills, and the ability to handle merchandising and cash register operations, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems and inventory management tools is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, reliability, and a positive attitude help associates engage with diverse customers and work effectively in team settings. These skills and qualities ensure smooth store operations, customer satisfaction, and contribute to the store's community-focused mission.

What is a Goodwill Retail Store?

A Goodwill Retail Store is a thrift store operated by Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit organization. These stores sell donated clothing, household items, electronics, and more at affordable prices to the public. The revenue generated from sales supports Goodwill’s mission, funding job training, employment placement services, and community programs for people facing barriers to employment. Shopping or donating at Goodwill Retail Stores helps promote environmental sustainability by reusing items and supports local communities.

What are some typical challenges faced by employees working at a Goodwill Retail Store, and how can they be addressed?

Employees at Goodwill Retail Stores often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of donated items, maintaining organization on the sales floor, and providing excellent customer service during busy periods. Adapting to a fast-paced environment and handling a diverse range of tasks—such as sorting donations, restocking shelves, and assisting customers—requires strong time management and teamwork skills. Open communication with supervisors and coworkers, along with ongoing training, can help employees overcome these challenges and contribute to a positive work environment.
What are popular job titles related to Goodwill Retail Store jobs in Chicago, IL? For Goodwill Retail Store jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Goodwill Retail Store jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Goodwill Retail Store jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Goodwill Retail Store job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $49,008 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Goodwill Industries Of Southeastern Wisconsin rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

487th of 770 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

Goodwill Retail Services, one of the fastest growing retailers in the area, is seeking energetic individuals who have a desire to grow with us. Join us today to get started on your own Goodwill career path.
Ask about our new Employee Referral Program for more details on how to earn $250 or more per referral. We are looking for more amazing talent to grow our teams, just like you!
The Retail Supervisor contributes to the Goodwill mission by leading our retail stores and donation sites to achieve their overall goals. As a supervisor you will be responsible for opening/closing the store, managing register efficiency, achieving daily production goals, providing excellent customer service, and developing associates. Within our retail stores we want you to use your experience and skills to train, motivate, and lead our associates to create a customer centric store and donation environment. You will work together with your team to achieve sales and production goals that make your store successful.
Our Retail Supervisors must exhibit the following competencies:
  • Customer Focus
  • Directing & Motivating Others
  • Drive for Results
  • Action Oriented
  • Timely Decision Making

Working at Goodwill is more than a job. You will be supporting our mission to provide training, employment, and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence.
RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:
Implements strategies to achieve the goals for the organization and retail store operations. Implements, revises, and sustains policies, procedures and programs. Typically works on projects and initiatives that span 3 - 12 months.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
1. Project and Change Management: Effectively plans and manages own work to reliably complete routine job responsibilities and special assignments. May serve as a team member or subject matter expert on formal projects or within the department. Effectively engages in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor. Follows through on learning, skill building, and practice necessary to adapt to change.
2. Problem Solving: Light supervision; works independently. Periodic review of work by manager or senior coworker. Solves problems of moderate to advanced complexity; able to identify root cause, interpret data and resolve issues.
3. Technical Skill: Understands and applies professional principles and skills within area of specialization to modify processes to resolve situations.
4. Community Engagement: Champions Goodwill's community engagement initiatives and serves as an ambassador for Goodwill in the wider community.
5. Maximize the value of all donated goods and maintain production and store environment standards.
6. Coordinate the proper rotation of goods in the store to ensure a continuous flow of new merchandise.
7. Support the training and coaching of all employees to reach their potential as a highly productive and collaborative members of the team. Oversee that there is adequate coverage at POS and in donations.
8. Assist with hiring process of associates; completing phone screens, interviews, new hire orientations and training as needed.
9. Function as a service experience leader (SEL); operate register, assign tills, maintain efficient customer flow, sales staff productivity and proper cash controls.
10. Maintain a safe and orderly work environment; ensure employees operate equipment safely and follow safe work practices.
11. Work with Store Management to conduct apprehensions following established loss prevention policies and procedures.
12. Accurately complete data entry of required reports on time. Share with leadership insight or concerns found in report data or other documentation.
13. Consistently communicate and implement policies and procedures, reporting concerns to leadership.
14. Plan and organize work assignments to increase customer service and protect assets.
15. Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Two years of supervisory experience preferred.
2. Able to complete and retain forklift certification, if required at site.
3. Work varied schedule and flexible hours; a minimum of two closing shifts per week and every other weekend as scheduled. Additional nights and weekend shifts may be required to meet business needs.
4. Must have working phone that allows for communication accessibility.
CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:
1. Customer Focus: Independently anticipate and meet customer needs, while searching for ways to improve customer service. Internalize customer feedback, and follow up with customer to ensure problems are solved by providing innovative ideas to meet their future needs.
2. Values Differences: Seeks out the diverse perspectives and talents of others, striving to work effectively with others who have different perspectives, backgrounds or styles. Behave with sensitivity towards differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating. Challenge stereotyping or offensive comments.
3. Communicates Effectively: Shares information and updates with others, while ensuring a clear, concise and professional communication through reports, documentation, written and other communications. Listens with interest to what others have to say.
4. Situational Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility of responses to different situations through adapting to the changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities. Monitors how well an approach is working to see if a change is needed, recognizing cues that suggest a change in approach or behavior is needed.
5. Drives Results: Demonstrates a strong drive to achieve meaningful results, through driving tasks to successful completion and closure. Sets high standards for own performance, showing determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
6. Ensures Accountability: Takes responsibility and ownership for successes and failures in own work. Monitors progress of performance and changes approach accordingly, following through on commitments.
PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:
Regularly lifts and/or moves up 10 pounds, frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds, occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Moves about to accomplish tasks. Lift: Raises objects from lower to higher position or moves objects horizontally. Stoop, kneel crouch or crawl: Positions self to retrieve objects. Reach: Extending upwards or downwards to retrieve objects. Worker is subject to weather conditions (hot, humid, dry, cold etc.). Worker is subject to human blood, body fluids or tissue. Worker is subject to hazards: proximity to dangerous machinery, moving vehicles, electrical currents, chemicals, or high places. Required to stand for long periods of time, Required to hear and respond to warning devices on equipment, vision Required for while using computer keyboard and work with written and electronic information and to assess store and donation center operations, travel required.
When determining placement within the salary range for this position Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the rage for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on facts and circumstances of each case.
Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation in this plan does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, which are subject to change.
In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefit program that may include medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off (PTO) and more. The specifics of each benefit package will vary depending on factors such as full or part time jobs, contracted, temporary, or other job categories.
Equal Opportunity Employer
(SEW)
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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About Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, based in Greendale, WI, US, is a non-profit organization within the industry of social and community services. The company's activities are centered on providing training, employment, and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence. Founded in 1919, Goodwill Industries has been committed to its mission of changing lives through the power of work, dedicating itself to eliminate barriers to opportunity and helping people reach their highest level of independence and success.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US

Year founded

1919