Current Positions Available:
Interview Process:
Our interview process has been described as intense. We generally take several weeks to hire because we really like to get to know you, and have you get to know us, to see if we'll work together well. Once we look at your resume, if we're interested, we'll give you a call to set up a 10 minute phone interview. About a third of the phone interviewees are invited to come in for a 20-to 30 minute face-to-face interview. After the interview, if we think it might be a good fit, we'll call your references. Assuming everything checks out, we'll invite you back for a longer interview (1-2 hours) in which includes a full studio tour, real-life practice in the job, and introductions with other folks in the office. A couple of us will interview you, and you're encouraged to "interview" us, too. After all that is said and done, we'll decide to whom we want to offer the job.
Position:
Part-time Inventory Assistant/Quality Control (off-hours, primarily afternoons, late evenings or Saturdays)
Number of Positions available: 2
Start Date: March 12 or later; interviews begin in early March 2012
More about this position:
The Boutique continues to grow, and we're looking for an eager person who loves repetitive tasks to join the team. Seriously, you must LOVE repetitive tasks. This position involves many hours of weighing and bagging rings, and closely (but quickly!) scrutinizing rings to remove defective ones. This is an entry-level position, but we're especially interested in someone who has additional skills and motivation to help the company grow further. This position is part-time for 8-12 hours per week with an opportunity to take on more hours during busy periods. You have some flexibility in setting up your schedule, but your available hours MUST be anytime during the following time slots:
- Tuesday 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Thursday 4:00pm - 8:00 pm
- Friday 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
If you are not able to work within these time slots, you cannot apply for this job. (Sorry - our studio is too crowded to take on more people during "normal" business hours!)
Main responsibilities include:
- Create ring packets and assemble kits for general stock and volume orders.
- Do quality control on loose jump rings (sorting out off-color, mis-sized, malformed, etc, rings)
- Count and bag other jewelry components, such as clasps and earwires.
- Use industrial tumbler to clean and polish loose jump rings.
- Take an active role in various "action teams" designed to improve workflow, productivity and morale.
- Report directly to supervisor to help manage our products: use in-house systems to keep track of which items need to be cleaned, which items we're running low on, etc.
Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Prepare jewelry boxes, earring cards and price tags.
- Calculate weights for new ring sizes.
- Miscellaneous office tasks, including cleaning and data entry.
If you have any of the following skills, please let us know:
- Photography and
- HTML and/or website design
- Photoshop
- Sales or exceptional people skills (we would love to have extra hands to help at some of our weekend shows, or to help customers who stop by to pick up orders)
Wages:
The starting hourly rate is $9.00/hr, potentially more if you have some of the speciality skills listed above. If you are a good fit with our company, we are very happy to give raises and bonuses. You can expect at least two raises within your first year if your performance is up to par.
Hours:
This position requires 8-12 hours a week. During your first month of training, you will need to have daytime availability (during weekdays) for training purposes (a total of about 20-30 hours). Upon completion of training, we'll work with you to set your schedule. We are flexible, but you must work your hours in the time slots indicated in the job description above.
Perks:
As this is more of a warehouse/studio environment than retail, there is no dress code. In fact, we like artsy-types and those who express themselves in clothing/accessories that might be frowned upon at other jobs. We believe that if employees are happy and enthusiastic, the company will flourish by attracting happy customers and LOTS of them, to boot! We strive to provide an open atmosphere, where everyone can approach management with issues and ideas for improvement of systems and efficiency.
Though we are strict about not being tardy, we are somewhat flexible with hours—if occasionally you need to come in early and leave early, or if you have an appointment in the middle of the day, it is usually not a problem if you give us enough notice and make up your hours. (However regular changes to schedules are disruptive, especially for this position, and are discouraged.) Finally, all employees and interns receive a substantial discount on rings, and a lesser discount on tools and other supplies.
Experience/Qualifications/Skills:
- If you don't like doing the same thing over and over again, do not apply for this position, because you won't be happy. If, on the other hand, if you find repetitive work soothing, and have a tendency to be a bit obsessive compulsive, this job might just be the perfect fit!
- As just stated, your work will be tedious on certain days. You'll need to make sure that the 100th label is put on the baggie with as much neatness as the first one.
- You won't be doing rocket-science calculations, but you do need to be comfortable with basic multiplication/division equations, or be willing to do a little "homework" to get used to the calcuations we do on a regular basis.
- We need you to speak up and tell us if you don't understand something. If you think you have a better way to do something, we're interested to know what it is, so be willing to share your ideas and explain them thoroughly. This is especially important for your position, since you will often be working alone, and we want to keep you on the same page.
- At times, you'll be working with several others in a small space. Zen attitudes are appreciated.
- Whether you're filling a $500 order or a $5, show excellence every step of the way. Your role is crucial to the success of the business.
- Previous experience making or selling jewelry, especially chainmaille, would be great, however it is not necessary. What is necessary, though, is that you like the jewelry and supplies products we sell. Employees new to chainmaille may be asked to take a 5-week chainmaille class to learn more about this field (the class will be paid for by Blue Buddha Boutique).
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications, interest and availability to the address below. Be specific when letting us know what appeals to you about this position, and please describe additional skills and talents that you bring to the table. If we are interested, we will contact you. Thank you!
Attn: Part-time Inventory Position
Blue Buddha Boutique
4533 N Kedzie Ave.
Chicago IL 60625
or jobs@bluebuddhaboutique.com, Subject: Part-Time Inventory Position
Position:
Take-Home Job: Quality Controller
Number of Positions available: 2-4
Deadline to Apply: ongoing
Start Date: ASAP
More about this job:
We're looking for a meticulous person who loves repetitive tasks to join the team. Seriously, you must LOVE repetitive tasks. This position involves many hours of closely (but quickly!) scrutinizing anodized aluminum rings to remove defective ones. You must be able to commit to a minimum of 6 hours per week, but higher consideration will be given to those who can commit more time. You have some flexibility in setting up your schedule, but you MUST be able to come to the studio at least once a week to pick up new inventory and drop off completed inventory.
You'll do the actual work at your home (or wherever else you'd like). As such, you aren't an official B3 employee and you can choose to receive payment by check or in the form of store credit. This is a perfect job for a stay-at-home mom, a retiree, or anyone with a few hours free time each week.
You are required to attend two 2-hour training sessions to learn the Blue Buddha method for quality control and receive tips and tricks to increase your efficiency.
Responsibilities:
- Schedule a time to pick up and drop off inventory at B3 studios. You must be able to pick up and return the bags during a time when employees are present (typically between 8:30 and 8 pm weekdays and 10:00 - 6:00 weekends). You must set up your pickup/drop off times in advance!
- Fill out the sign-out checklist indicating which bags you are taking off-site.
- Do quality control on loose jump rings (sorting out off-color, mis-sized, malformed, etc, rings)
- Complete the sign-in checklist, being sure to indicate how you would like to be paid for your work (money or in store credit)
Rinse and Repeat!
Wages:
To start, you are paid $8.50 hourly or $12.25 in store credit hourly.
We will let you know the goal times for each bag you take, and will work with you to increase your efficiency and speed. In order to keep our retail prices steady, we need our quality controllers to work at a lightning pace.
If you choose to receive money, B3 will write a check for your work within 10 business days. We will either mail it to you at that time, or give it to you in person if you are coming to the studio to pick up/drop off items. If you choose to receive store credit, we create a spreadsheet that you can access online to see your current balance, and we'll print out updates when you pick up or drop off new supplies. Your store credit will be good for 1 year after we issue. If your balance gets to be more than $500, we will likely gently nudge you to purchase something, but so long as you use your credit within 1 year, technically you could let the balance get as high as you'd like.
Hours:
You set your own hours, but remember that you must commit to at least 6 hours per week.
Experience/Qualifications/Skills:
- Passion for repetitive tasks. If you don't like doing the same thing over and over again, do not apply for this position, because you won't be happy. If, on the other hand, if you find repetitive work soothing, and have a tendency to be a bit obsessive compulsive, this job might just be the perfect fit!
- Attention to detail. As just stated, your work will be tedious. You'll need to make sure that you don't start "glazing over" at ring 10,000.
- Clear communication skills. We need you to speak up and tell us if you don't understand something. If you think you have a better way to do something, we're interested to know what it is, so be willing to share your ideas and explain them thoroughly. This is especially important for your position, since you will often be working alone, and we want to keep you on the same page.
- Pride in what you do. Show excellence every step of the way. Your role is crucial to the success of the business, as Blue Buddha is known for our high-quality products.
- Access to transportation (or willingness to take CTA). You'll be responsible for picking up and dropping items off at our studio.
To Apply:
Send a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications, interest and availability to the address below. Be specific when letting us know what appeals to you about this position, and please let us know what your average weekly time commitment would be. If we are interested, we will contact you. Thank you!
Attn: QC Position
Blue Buddha Boutique
4533 N Kedzie Ave.
Chicago IL 60625
or jobs@bluebuddhaboutique.com, Subject: QC Position.
