Job Information
Bridgestone Americas Retail Salesperson in Fairfield, Connecticut
Company Overview
Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $3 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career.
Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future.
We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you’re made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.
Job Category
Retail
Position Summary
Introduce tire products and automobile repair/maintenance services to customers in person and/or with other store associates to help maximize total sales, store profits, and customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities and duties of this role include, but are not limited to:
Selling and Sales Promotion (65% of time)
Personally handles customer needs in areas of sales, service, complaints, adjustments, etc.
Contacts customers, particularly in service department, to assess needs for tires and car service to close sales opportunities.
Checks tickets, making sure all tires on every vehicle are inspected and customers needing tires are asked to buy.
Solicits and promotes customer use of CFNA Credit Card as frequently as possible.
Introduces new products to achieve appropriate sales.
Keeps tire selling area and tire displays clean and properly set up at all times. Ensures that correct tires are on display, with correct display materials. Assures store environment exhibits a clean and professional image.
Follows and executes appropriate CSDS steps
Administers sales promotion programs.
Using display and advertising materials provided, sets up inside and outside displays, including special “as advertised” displays to create continuous emphasis on merchandise offered during promotions, and takes them down after promotion.
Assists store manager in attaining Store Team Budget objectives and contributes with personal attainment.
Makes tire adjustments and settles customer complaints or refers those not finalized to Store Manager.
Directly handles customers in areas of sales, service, complaints, adjustments, etc., including greeting and handling customers to conclusion in store and over telephone:
Handles customer complaints and tire adjustments.
Develops customer loyalty and retention through relationship selling.
Grows profit through service or tire recommendations as needed by the customer, including alignments, flushes, scheduled maintenance services, etc.
Recording (15% of the time)
Enter customer invoices, credit tickets, etc.
Operates P.O.S. terminal
Maintains monthly and perpetual inventory accuracy
On a limited basis, performs operating functions as necessary, accepts payments, furnishes information, takes orders, etc.
Information Coordination (10% of the time)
Assists manager during store meetings with all teammates to cover current advertising and promotion.
Shops competition and keeps other teammates informed on what competition is advertising.
Miscellaneous Functions (10% of the time)
Opens and/or closes the store as required and directed, which includes cash control and asset protection.
Attends all store, area, and special meetings as required by store or area management.
As needed, helps to unload merchandise shipments, changes and balances tires in the service department (after appropriate training), constructs store displays, and performs other duties that are necessary to meet customer relationship requirements.
Practices courtesy, honesty, and good judgment with all customers and store teammates.
Other duties and tasks as assigned by store or area manager.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
2-year degree or non-traditional education through training program completion, certification, or other exhibiting the growth mindset that is needed in this candidate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Customer Service
Sales floor counters are between (39in. & 44in.)
Paperwork and printers are between (18in. & 39in.)
Operate computer to look up parts and materials as well as invoice customers
Work directly with customers throughout the day
Retail locations can see between 15 and 55 customers per day depending on the location\
Store Displays
Setup and take down outside tire rack requiring (45 lbs.) of force to push down on jack to lift rack and (30 to 65 lbs.) to push/pull rack in and out of the store
Stack tires outside store for displays between (1in. & 72in.)
Tires on wall displays are between (1in. & 75in.)
Tires can weigh between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.) with the average at (27 to 35 lbs.)
Setup and take down signs outside the store as needed
Spray tires with black paint prior to putting on display to cover manufacturing lines
Store Upkeep
May setup and take down outside tire rack requiring (45 lbs.) of force to push down on jack to lift rack and (30 to 65 lbs.) to push/pull rack in and out of the store
May stack tires outside store for displays between (1in. & 72in.)
Store displays are between (1in. & 75in.)
Tires can weigh between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.) with the average at (27 to 35 lbs.)
Setup and take down signs outside the store as needed
Spray tires with black paint prior to putting on display to cover manufacturing lines
Use a dry mop or broom if needed to keep the floor clean
Stock paper products and soap in the restrooms
Use rags or paper towels and spray bottles to keep displays, counters, and other areas clean
All cleaning supplies and paper products weigh less then (5 lbs.)
Store Deliveries
Tire deliveries contain between 90 & 400 tires 1 time per week depending on the retail location
Storage racks are between (4in. & 106in.)
Depending on the retail location, tires can be stored in the following manner:
Stack tires on carts between (1in. & 72in.) to take to storage. Then place in storage racks.
Roll tires to storage and place in storage racks
Roll tires to storage and place on a conveyor between (18in. & 43in.) then into racks
Roll tires to storage and place into stacks
Tires weigh between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.)
Majority of tires weight between (27 lbs. & 35 lbs.)
Shop Floor
Opening doors requires (20 to 45 lbs.) of lifting force
Closing doors requires (20 to 80 lbs.) of pulling force without the use of body weight
Drive customer vehicles
Pull new tires for customers weighing between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.) with the majority between (27 & 35 lbs.)
Tire racks are between (4in. & 106in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store
Supplies are between (5in. & 112in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store
Supplies weigh between (1 & 42 lbs.)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Daily duties involve working within a 3 to 25-bay retail automotive service store. Stores are open 7 days per week, 75 – 91 hours and constant adjustments in service staffing levels are required to match the sales/work flow. The Retail Salesperson works with teammates in area of the store which have:
Cold work environment in the winter with cold cement floor.
Hot work environment in the summer.
Need for continual implementation/maintaining of all Safety & Health and environmental policies with knowledge, skill and good judgment.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent
2-years of consumer retail sales experience
Must be able to communicate with and assist customers in the areas of sales and complaints to ensure customer retention and loyalty
Problem solving as it relates to customer complaints
Must have a valid automobile driver’s license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles
Must complete and maintain all of the current and required BSRO store education courses & modules required for this position
Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Employment Eligibility
If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.