Service Associate (Part-Time)

Description

This is a role for someone who likes being on their feet, solving problems, and helping people — and does it well.

Mackey's has been a family-owned pet, farm, and garden supply business since 1968, with four locations across eastern Connecticut and online at mackeysgrows.com.

Our mission is to be the most TRUSTED and RELIABLE retail service — and our Service Associates are where that promise is kept or broken. Every customer who walks in, calls, or picks up an online order is counting on the person in this job.

We'll be direct: friendly is the minimum. What separates great Service Associates at Mackey's is ownership — finding the answer instead of guessing, loading the customer's car right the first time, noticing the empty shelf before anyone asks, and helping a teammate without being told. Those qualities are rarer than retail experience, and they're what we hire for.

If you get real satisfaction from helping people, take pride in doing things right, and want a job where your effort is noticed every day — we want to meet you.

What You'll Do

• Greet and help customers in-store, by phone, and for online orders
• Learn our products — pet food and supplies, livestock feed, lawn and garden, wild bird, and seasonal goods — so customers can shop with confidence
• Ring sales, process returns, and handle payments accurately
• Load feed, soil, mulch, and other products into customer vehicles safely and carefully
• Receive, stock, price, and face merchandise so the store is full, clean, and easy to shop
• Prepare online and call-in orders for pickup and delivery
• Help care for live plants and seasonal displays during garden season
• Operate hand trucks, pallet jacks and, once trained and certified, forklifts — safely, every time, no exceptions
• Speak up immediately about inventory issues, damaged product, safety concerns, or a better way to do something

Why Work at Mackey's

• Work that matters — customers depend on you for their animals, their gardens, and their homes
• A united team on a mission to be the most TRUSTED and RELIABLE retail service
• Room to grow — we promote people who take ownership, and we'll teach you the product knowledge
• Forklift certification training provided for the right candidate
• A stable, year-round business with strong spring and holiday seasons

Pay, Schedule & Benefits

• Pay: $17.50 – $19.00 per hour, based on experience
• Part-time, up to 30 hours per week based on availability and performance
• One regular weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) is required — so you also get one regularly scheduled weekend day off. Saturday and Sunday are our busiest days. We aim for a regular, predictable schedule, with occasional changes during peak seasons or to cover for teammates.
• Paid sick leave, 401(k), employee discount

Requirements

Who Thrives Here

Before applying, be honest with yourself about whether this describes you:

• Value People — you treat every customer, teammate, and vendor with respect, including the difficult ones on a busy day
• Do Things Right — you take as much pride in how you work as in what gets done: right product, right price, loaded the right way
• Do the Right Thing — when something goes wrong, you say so; you don't cover it up or pass the blame
• Embrace Change — seasons, products, and systems change constantly — that's how Mackey's grows
• Dare to be Great — you look for ways to do the job better, not just get it done

Who Won't Be a Fit

We'd rather be clear now than waste your time:

• If you're looking for a job where you can stand behind a register and wait, this isn't it
• If physical work sounds fine now but has worn you down before, reconsider — loading 50 lb bags is part of every shift
• If working on a small, visible team where your attitude is noticed every day isn't for you, that's okay — but this probably isn't your place

Required

• Physical ability to regularly lift and carry 50 lbs, and to stand, walk, bend, and reach throughout a full shift
• Comfort working outdoors in all seasons and weather
• Dependable attendance and punctuality
• Clear, respectful communication with customers and teammates
• Attention to detail with pricing, payments, and orders
• Safety-first mindset — you follow procedures and look out for your teammates
• Availability for one regular weekend day every week

Pre-Employment

All candidates are subject to pre-employment screening as a standard part of the hiring process, which may include drug testing, reference verification, and a background check.

Mackey's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.