Seasonal Supply Store Sales Associate

Make lives meaningful through making.

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a staff of 50+. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $8.4 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC. 

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Penland School of Craft, we believe that fostering a climate of equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our work. We are committed to creating a campus community free of discrimination, and we welcome everyone who supports this commitment. 

Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

Position Summary

The Penland Supply Store Sales Associate works closely with the supply store manager to operate the Penland Supply Store and meet customer needs by maintaining a clean, welcoming, and professional retail environment. This role is customer-facing and sales-focused, serving students, instructors, visitors, and staff.

The position has lead responsibility for coordinating and processing incoming and outgoing USPS and UPS shipping using the supply store’s accounts and equipment. This role is expected to work Saturdays and during peak program periods.

Primary Responsibilities

• Follow supply store opening, mid-day, and closing procedures


• Welcome customers and provide friendly, knowledgeable, and professional service


• Assist customers in locating items and provide information about art- and craft-based products, tools, and Penland-branded merchandise


• Share information about Penland School programs, campus opportunities, and the surrounding community


• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the sales floor and front sales desk


• Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system to process sales accurately, reconcile daily cash tills, and complete end-of-day reports


• Accurately process internal Penland School store accounts


• Manage the supply store’s USPS machine and UPS shipper account, including processing outgoing packages, maintaining records, and reconciling weekly billing


• Assist with inventory tracking, purchasing needs, pricing accuracy, POS product entry, and tagging


• Support merchandising, displays, restocking, incoming orders, annual inventory preparation, and sales goals


• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service and communication skills (written and verbal)


• Detail-oriented, reliable, punctual, and self-motivated


• Basic proficiency with computer applications, including POS systems, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases (preferred)


• High school diploma or GED required


• At least one year of retail sales experience preferred


• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations


• Commitment to upholding Penland’s mission, educational philosophy, and equity, diversity, and inclusion values


• First Aid and CPR certification required (training provided by Penland if needed)


• Reliable transportation required due to Penland’s rural location

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to,

• Stand and walk for extended periods while working on the sales floor and assisting customers


• Use hands and arms for repetitive tasks, including operating a POS system, handling cash and merchandise, and processing shipments


• Lift, carry, and move merchandise and packages, typically up to 25–40 pounds, with or without assistance


• Reach, bend, stoop, and access shelves and storage areas


• See, hear, and communicate effectively, along with maintaining the physical stamina and focus during multi-hour retail shifts

Compensation & Benefits
This is a seasonal part-time position from early April through mid-November. This position pays $16.40 per hour. The position will work 24 hours through the start of summer programming (5/24/26) and then flex up to 32 through the end of August (8/22/26). The position will then return to 24 hours through mid-November (11/21/26). This is a seasonal position and in 2027 may start in mid-February. Saturday work will be required for this position. 

Benefits include optional life insurance,  retirement, and paid leave. Additionally, this position is eligible for all seasonal staff discounts (meal, paid break, store, gallery, and coffeehouse discounts).