Retail Assistant (Part-Time)

Location: Downtown Dundas, Ontario

Start Date: Late September 2026

Commitment: 1-2 days/week, primarily Wednesday through Sunday

Shifts: 5 to 8 hours per day (daytime hours only)

Minimum Commitment: 6-12 months

Compensation: Hourly wage $150 monthly skincare allowance

Overview

We are an independent, woman-owned botanical skincare company established in 2012, opening our new permanent retail space in downtown Dundas this autumn.

We are looking for a warm, thoughtful and highly dependable Retail & Studio Assistant to become a regular presence within our shop. This is a varied role combining personalized skincare retail, customer care, online order fulfillment and the everyday care of our space.

Our shop is both a retail environment and a working fulfillment studio for our online and wholesale business. Some days will be primarily customer-facing, while others may include preparing orders, labelling skincare and supporting the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the business running.

The Role A significant part of this position is learning our botanical skincare collection inside and out. You will be trained extensively on our formulas, ingredients and approach to skincare so that you can confidently guide patrons toward thoughtful, harmonious selections for their individual skin.

You will also become familiar with the independent artisan brands and objects we carry, helping visitors understand the stories, materials and makers represented throughout the shop.

Responsibilities will include:

- Welcoming patrons and providing warm, attentive and knowledgeable customer service
- Learning our complete skincare collection and confidently making personalized product recommendations
- Educating customers about ingredients, formulas, rituals and appropriate product pairings
- Becoming knowledgeable about the other independent artisan brands represented in the shop
- Building genuine, enduring relationships with local and returning patrons
- Operating the POS and completing retail transactions
- Opening and closing the shop independently
- Packing and preparing online and wholesale orders
- Labelling and preparing skincare products for sale and shipment
- Writing handwritten customer notes and thoughtfully preparing parcels
- Responding to customer emails and basic skincare/product inquiries




- Merchandising, restocking and maintaining displays
- Keeping the shop clean, organized and beautifully cared for
- Supporting general studio and retail tasks as they arise
- There will be shifts where you are responsible for running the shop independently, so reliability, confidence and good judgment are important.

Who We’re Looking For

You do not need to arrive knowing everything about botanical skincare. We are much more interested in finding someone who is genuinely curious, eager to learn and takes pride in becoming exceptionally knowledgeable about the products they represent.

Our ideal candidate:

- Has robust retail, hospitality or customer service experience
- Has an interest in botanical skincare, herbalism, holistic wellness or natural beauty
- Enjoys learning and is comfortable retaining detailed product information
- Is warm and personable without being pushy or overly sales-focused
- Is comfortable initiating conversations and making thoughtful recommendations
- Is highly dependable, punctual, organized and detail-oriented
- Can work independently and confidently manage a retail space alone
- Notices what needs doing and takes initiative
- Enjoys both customer-facing work and quieter behind-the-scenes tasks
- Understands that exceptional customer service often means remembering details, anticipating needs and going beyond the transaction
- Ideally lives in Dundas or Hamilton and has reliable transportation or can walk to work

Because skincare products are prepared, packed and handled within our space and we maintain a scent-sensitive working environment, applicants must be non-smokers and non-vapers.

Hours & Availability

This is a permanent, year-round part-time position beginning with training in late September 2026, alongside the opening of our new Dundas shop.

We are initially looking for approximately 1–2 shifts per week, with availability required between Wednesday and Sunday.



Shop hours will generally fall between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., although individual shifts may occasionally be shorter depending on the day.

Additional shifts will likely be available during the holiday season, with the potential for the role and hours to grow over time.

We are specifically looking for someone who can offer consistent, dependable weekly availability rather than occasional or highly variable availability.

Our Workplace

We are a small, independent business and care deeply about creating a workplace that is thoughtful, respectful and welcoming.

We are proudly woman-owned and committed to an inclusive environment where 2SLGBTQIA people, people of all racial and cultural backgrounds, and people of diverse identities and experiences are respected and welcomed. We are looking for someone who shares those values and will extend the same respect and care to every person who enters our shop.

Our new home is within a beautiful historic landmark building in downtown Dundas. The environment is calm and considered, and we want the person in this role to feel less like a conventional salesperson and more like a knowledgeable host: someone patrons come to recognize, trust and look forward to seeing.

To apply: Please submit your résumé along with a brief introduction telling us a little about yourself, your availability, and why this particular role interests you.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $19.50 per hour

Benefits

- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Store discount

Application question(s):
- How do you feel your presence, energy, or way of being can contribute to a calm and grounding environment—particularly within a quiet, historic space like ours?
- Do you have any experience or interest in holistic skincare, herbalism, or naturally guided wellness? If so, please share how this shows up in your life or work.
- Describe a time you helped someone feel cared for in a retail or service setting. What did you do to create a meaningful experience?
- Are you open to a weekly schedule that shifts slightly? For Instance:

Week 1: Tuesday 10-5, Thursday 10-5, Saturday 11-5

Week 2: Wednesday 10-5, Friday 10-5

Week 3: Tuesday 10-5, Wednesday 10-2, Friday 1-5

Language

- English (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Retail Assistant (Part-Time) (Dundas)
🏢 Artisan Skincare Atelier
📍 Dundas