The posting
The Specialty Sales & E-Commerce Specialist identifies, researches, prices, markets, and sells donated merchandise that can generate greater value through specialty merchandising or online sales than through standard sales-floor placement. The position combines resale knowledge, product research, photography, digital listing, customer service, inventory control, order fulfillment, and mission stewardship to maximize the value of donated goods in support of VNATC. This is a hands-on individual-contributor role that works closely with the Retail Experience Manager and Hidden Treasures operational Leads to ensure potentially valuable merchandise is recognized early, routed appropriately, and converted to revenue efficiently. Responsibilities: Specialty Merchandise Identification & Valuation • Identify donated items with potential specialty, collectible, vintage, designer, luxury, art, jewelry, media, electronics, or other enhanced resale value. • Research comparable market values using approved, credible resale and marketplace sources and document pricing rationale when appropriate. • Recommend whether specialty merchandise should be sold online, featured in-store, held for a special sale, bundled, or otherwise marketed to maximize value and reasonable sell-through. • Partner with the Donation & Processing Lead and Furniture, Electronics & Logistics Lead to establish a consistent escalation process so potentially valuable merchandise is not inadvertently underpriced or placed into general inventory. • Escalate items requiring specialized authentication, appraisal, regulatory review, or expertise beyond the position’s knowledge or authority. E-Commerce Operations • Create accurate, compelling online listings using approved selling platforms and VNATC standards. • Photograph merchandise clearly and professionally and prepare concise, accurate titles, descriptions, measurements, condition disclosures, and other listing information. • Set or recommend pricing based on market research, condition, fees, shipping/handling considerations, inventory age, and approved pricing practices. • Monitor active listings, inquiries, offers, aging, sell-through, and marketplace performance and recommend timely price or merchandising adjustments. • Maintain accurate online inventory records and promptly remove or update listings when merchandise is sold, transferred, damaged, or otherwise unavailable. • Follow approved processes for customer communication, payment, fraud awareness, platform rules, returns, disputes, and service recovery. Order Fulfillment & Inventory Control • Maintain secure, organized, clearly identified storage for specialty and e-commerce inventory. • Pick, verify, package, label, and prepare sold merchandise for shipment or customer pickup accurately and on time. • Use packaging materials responsibly while protecting merchandise from preventable damage. • Coordinate large, fragile, unusual, or local-pickup items with the Furniture, Electronics & Logistics Lead as appropriate. • Maintain transaction and inventory documentation needed for reconciliation, platform administration, and internal controls. • Immediately report inventory discrepancies, suspected fraud, loss, damage, or unusual transactions. In-Store Specialty Sales & Mission Stewardship • Create or support curated in-store specialty displays and featured merchandise areas when an in-store sale is the best channel. • Assist customers with specialty merchandise questions while avoiding unsupported representations regarding authenticity, provenance, value, or condition. • Treat donated goods as community assets and balance revenue optimization with reasonable inventory velocity, customer value, and the nonprofit resale mission. • Share product knowledge and practical identification tips with associates and volunteers to improve recognition of potentially valuable donations. • Support broader Hidden Treasures retail, processing, customer service, and merchandising activities when business needs require. Digital & Operational Controls • Use only VNATC-approved accounts, devices, platforms, payment processes, shipping methods, and communication channels for organizational sales. • Protect customer, donor, account, payment, and organizational information in accordance with VNATC policies. • Maintain accurate records of listing price, sale price, fees, shipping/handling costs, returns, and other information needed to evaluate net contribution. • Partner with the Retail Experience Manager to establish practical controls for access to online marketplaces, inventory custody, refunds, discounts, and disposition of aged specialty merchandise. Qualifications: • High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education or training in retail, merchandising, ecommerce, marketing, collectibles, design, or a related area preferred. • Two or more years of retail, resale, e-commerce, online marketplace, specialty merchandise, merchandising, or comparable experience preferred. • Demonstrated ability to research merchandise and make sound pricing recommendations using multiple sources rather than relying solely on asking prices. • Comfort with digital selling platforms, web-based research, photography, basic image preparation, data entry, and order/shipping workflows. • Strong written communication, attention to detail, organization, customer service, judgment, and followthrough. • Ability to learn multiple merchandise categories and recognize when expert review is needed. • Ability to work independently while remaining highly collaborative with store operations.
