Retail Assistant - Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)

The Company:

Patagonia is an outdoor apparel business like no other, "We're in business to save our home planet." As a certified B Corporation, the company is recognised internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism - and now our one and only shareholder is our home planet with 100% of profits going to fight the environmental crisis. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is based in Ventura, California with offices around the world including in Tāhuna Queenstown, New Zealand.

Our values stay true to a business that was started by a band of climbers and surfers, and the minimalist style they promoted. The approach we take demonstrates a bias for simplicity and utility - build the best product and provide the best service; examine our practices openly and honestly; protect our home planet; be just, equitable and antiracist; do it our way.  

 We look for candidates with proven experience who thrive in a team-based atmosphere, individuals who are passionate about their communities, the environment and caring for others. We seek core Patagonia product users, people who love to spend as much time as possible in the mountains, ocean, and wild nature. Folks who deal well with ambiguity, learn on the fly, demonstrate sound judgment, and solve problems creatively are most successful with us. We're looking for someone who builds and maintains relationships with ease and desires to put the customer at the centre of everything they do.  We don't want someone who can just do a job - we want the best person for the job. Yet we don't look for "stars"  seeking special treatment and perks. Our best efforts are collaborative, and Patagonia culture rewards the ensemble player, while it barely tolerates those who need the limelight.
 
The Role:

We are excited to share that we are opening our very first Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) store this November and we are calling for expressions of interest to join our new retail team.

Our retail stores are where Patagonia comes to life, and as a Retail Assistant, you’re the embodiment of the brand for our customers. Based in our Auckland CBD store and reporting to the Store Manager you welcome, assist and engage customers by providing a positive experience for everyone who comes in – ensuring that the customers’ needs are understood and met. You’ll focus on building relationships. You’ll share your knowledge of core sports and products, your passion for the community and your efforts to protect the local environment. You contribute to a team that is responsible for the store’s success through customer service, merchandising, operations, events and environmental activism. All employees are encouraged and empowered to creatively solve problems and put the customers’ needs at the centre of everything we do.

In establishing our presence in Aotearoa, we recognise the importance of the values that shape and strengthen communities across Aotearoa. We are inspired by the principles of Manaakitanga; creating an environment of care, generosity, and genuine hospitality for our customers and each other, and Kaitiakitanga; acting as guardians of the places we love through environmental stewardship and responsible action. These values align closely with Patagonia's mission and help guide how we show up for our people, our communities, and our home planet.

Please note: The anticipated start date for the Retail Assistant roles will early November.

About you:     

You are passionate about the environment.

• You engage customers and inspire them to get involved.
• You participate in the annual local granting process as we work to allocate 1% of our profits to grass rotes environmental groups.
• You use the company’s mission and core values as guides for decision making and act as a brand advocate inside and outside of the store.

You have a genuine interest and participate in our core sports.

• Your love and passion for the outdoors and wild places is on display through the stories you tell.
• You can relate to the quality of our gear through lived experiences. 
• You understand the benefits can talk to technical product.
• You are actively participating, or have a keen interest in one or more of our core sports.

Your customer service is not bound by convention.

• You determine and meet the specific needs of each customer with kindness and creativity.
• You extend invitations for future brand engagement.
• You handle product returns in the spirit of our Ironclad Guarantee. 
• You maintain a positive attitude at all times.

You are action-oriented and take initiative.

• You support and strive to achieve all store goals.
• You merchandise the store during downtimes: folding, hanging, steaming and stocking.

You value and demonstrate quality in all that you do.

• You ensure accuracy in all point-of-sale operations.
• You accurately fulfill online orders and inventory transfers and are careful to avoid error.
• You practice security measures that help prevent theft and understand how to safely handle shoplifters. 
• You practice safety consciousness at all times. 

You are a life-long learner and teacher.

• You participate in all required training. 
• You assist in the training of fellow employees. 
• You aim to teach and learn something every day.

Please note: You must hold current New Zealand work rights to be eligible for these roles.

Application:

We'd love to get to know you, so please include a cover letter in your application telling us about your passion for your communities, the environment, our core sports and how you spend your time in the outdoors!

Benefits:

Patagonia provides employees with competitive benefits packages (unique to each role) that may include environmental internships, employee discounts, generous clothing allowance, activism hours, a nine-day work fortnight, equal paternity leave, matching of charity donations, and much more.    

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Patagonia is an equal opportunity employer. Patagonia recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, colour, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, or individuals with a disability. Patagonia is proud of our diverse workforce and encourages applications from diverse cultural backgrounds. Like our planet, our company is an interconnected network of ecosystems dependent on each other. Patagonia is a global community with members that seek to respect, uplift, and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique - members that look to champion justice, equity, and inclusion across our company and beyond.

Accessibility Support:

Patagonia is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for talent of all abilities. If you require assistance and/ or accommodation in the search and/ or application process, please contact us at ••••@patagonia.com.au with your full name, best way to reach you, and the accommodation needed to assist you with the application process.