📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Framer
Company: Michaels Stores
Location: East Gwillimbury-2-18126 Yonge St, Canada
Job Type: PART_TIME
Category: Custom Framing / Retail Design
Date Posted: 2025-06-14T00:00:00
Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)
Remote Status: On-site
🎨 Role Summary
- Engage customers to understand their creative vision and provide expert custom framing solutions.
- Operate framing equipment and utilize measuring skills to produce high-quality, on-time framing orders.
- Maintain the framing department and retail areas, ensuring a well-merchandised and organized environment.
- Contribute to a positive customer experience by assisting shoppers and maintaining store standards.
🖼️ Primary Responsibilities
- Build strong customer relationships through personalized interaction and understanding their framing needs.
- Design and execute custom framing solutions, leveraging design principles to enhance customer artwork.
- Precisely cut and assemble framing materials using specialized equipment and measuring tools.
- Ensure all custom framing orders are completed accurately and within the promised timeframe.
- Manage inventory within the ready-made frame department, including stocking and replenishment.
- Provide exceptional customer service, assisting with product location and offering creative solutions.
- Operate the cash register and handle transactions following standard procedures.
- Participate in store operational tasks, including truck unloading and stocking.
- Adhere to all company policies, safety programs, and standard operating procedures.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically sufficient. Training in art, design, or a related creative field is beneficial but not explicitly required.
Experience: Entry-level position (0-2 years). Previous retail experience, particularly in a creative or customer-facing environment, is preferred. Experience in a framing or art supply setting is a strong asset and should be highlighted in a portfolio or resume if applicable.
Required Skills:
- Basic Computer Proficiency: Ability to navigate point-of-sale systems and internal software.
- Measuring Skills: Accurate measurement is critical for custom framing.
- Framing Equipment Operation: Ability to safely and effectively use framing tools and machinery, including glass cutters.
- Customer Service: Ability to interact positively and helpfully with customers.
Preferred Skills:
- Retail Sales Experience: Experience in selling products and services, particularly in a consultative role.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to address customer needs and find creative framing solutions.
- Visual Merchandising: Understanding principles of product display and store presentation.
🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements
Portfolio Essentials: While a formal design portfolio may not be mandatory for this entry-level role, demonstrating creative aptitude and an eye for visual composition is highly recommended during the interview process. Consider preparing examples of:
- Personal art or design projects that showcase your aesthetic sense.
- Examples of framing projects you may have completed (personal or professional).
- Visual presentations of how you would approach framing different types of artwork.
- Any experience with color theory, composition, or material selection.
Process Documentation: Even without a formal portfolio, be prepared to discuss your creative process, such as:
- How you approach understanding a customer's vision for their artwork.
- Your method for selecting appropriate framing materials (mats, frames, glass).
- How you ensure the final framed piece complements the artwork and the customer's space.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: As a part-time, entry-level retail position in East Gwillimbury, Canada, the estimated hourly wage is likely to fall within the range of CAD $15.50 to $19.50 per hour. This estimate is based on typical retail wages in the Greater Toronto Area (which includes East Gwillimbury) for entry-level positions, considering minimum wage laws and average hourly rates for retail workers. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and specific store location.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision): Available for eligible part-time team members.
- Paid Time Off: Accrual of paid time off based on hours worked.
- Tuition Assistance: Support for continuing education may be available.
- Generous Employee Discounts: Discounts on Michaels merchandise, which is valuable for those interested in art and crafting.
Working Hours: This is a part-time position. Specific hours will vary based on business needs and may include nights, weekends, and early mornings, typical of a retail environment. Flexibility in scheduling is often required.
🎯Team & Company Context
🏢 Company & Design Culture
Industry: Retail / Arts & Crafts / Custom Framing. Michaels is a leader in providing materials and services for creative pursuits, with a significant focus on custom framing as a key offering.
Company Size: Large (10,001+ employees globally), with over 1,300 stores in North America.
Founded: 1973. Michaels has a long history as a destination for artists, crafters, and those seeking custom framing solutions.
Team Structure:
- Reports to a store manager or framing department lead.
- Works closely with other framers and retail associates.
- Collaborates to ensure efficient workflow and customer satisfaction in the framing area.
Methodology:
- Utilizes standardized procedures for framing assembly and customer service.
- Emphasizes a consultative sales approach ("personal designer") to help customers select appropriate framing.
- Focuses on efficiency and quality in the framing production process.
Company Website: https://www.michaels.com
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Design Career Level: This is an entry-level position within the retail framing discipline. It provides foundational experience in custom framing, customer interaction, and retail operations.
Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Framing Manager or Store Manager.
Design Impact: Directly impacts the customer's experience by helping them preserve and display their artwork, contributing to the aesthetic appeal and longevity of their pieces. The quality of framing directly reflects on the Michaels brand.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a Lead Framer or Framing Manager role within a store.
- Potential to move into other retail management positions within Michaels.
- Developing specialized skills in complex framing techniques or materials.
- Gaining valuable customer service and sales experience applicable to various retail or creative fields.
🌐 Work Environment
Studio Type: Retail Store with a dedicated Custom Framing department/workshop area. The framing area is typically located within the retail space but may have specialized tools and equipment.
Office Location(s): This specific position is located at the East Gwillimbury-2-18126 Yonge St store in East Gwillimbury, Canada. This is a single store location.
Design Workspace Context:
- A hands-on environment involving working with art, framing materials, and specialized tools.
- Includes a mix of customer interaction areas and a workshop space for framing production.
- Collaboration with other team members on framing projects and store tasks.
Work Schedule: Part-time hours, which will vary. The retail environment requires availability during store operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and potentially holidays. Schedule flexibility is important.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Design Interview Process: The process will likely focus on assessing your customer service skills, ability to follow procedures, basic math and measurement skills, and potential for learning framing techniques. Expect:
- Initial application screening focusing on basic qualifications and retail/customer service experience.
- Interview(s) with the Store Manager or Framing Manager, discussing your work ethic, reliability, and interest in the role.
- Questions about handling customer interactions and problem-solving.
- Potential assessment of basic measuring skills or aptitude for hands-on tasks.
Portfolio Review Tips: While a formal portfolio isn't typically required, be prepared to discuss any personal creative projects or experiences that demonstrate your artistic inclination, attention to detail, and ability to work with your hands. If you have framed items yourself, be ready to talk about your process.
Challenge Preparation: There may not be a formal "design challenge" in the traditional sense for this role. Preparation should focus on demonstrating your ability to learn new skills, follow instructions, and provide excellent customer service. Be ready to discuss how you would approach helping a customer choose framing for a piece of art.
ATS Keywords: Customer Service, Retail, Framing, Custom Framing, Art, Crafts, Sales, Cashier, Measuring, Problem Solving, Communication, Teamwork, Part-Time, Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Stocking, Inventory, SOPs, Safety, Michaels, Canada, East Gwillimbury.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Design Tools: In the context of framing, "tools" refer to the physical equipment used to cut and assemble frames and mats. Proficiency or the ability to learn to use:
- Mat Cutter: Used for precisely cutting mats to size and creating bevels.
- Glass Cutter: Essential for safely cutting glass or acrylic for framing.
- Frame Joiner/Underpinner: Used to assemble the corners of picture frames.
- Measuring Tapes and Rulers: Critical for accurate measurements of artwork, mats, and frames.
Collaboration & Handoff:
- Internal Ordering System: Software used to process custom framing orders, track progress, and manage materials.
- Communication Tools: In-person communication with customers and team members; potentially internal messaging systems.
Research & Testing:
- Customer Consultation: The primary method for understanding customer needs and testing design ideas by presenting options.
- Material Samples: Utilizing samples of frames, mats, and glass to help customers visualize the final product.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Design Values: Within the framing department, key values likely include:
- Craftsmanship: Commitment to producing high-quality, well-assembled framed pieces.
- Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer satisfaction and helping them achieve their desired outcome.
- Attention to Detail: Precision in measurements and assembly is paramount.
- Creativity: Assisting customers in selecting aesthetically pleasing and appropriate framing solutions.
Collaboration Style:
- Team-oriented environment focused on supporting each other in completing framing orders and assisting customers.
- Direct communication and coordination within the framing department and with other store staff.
- Sharing knowledge and best practices for framing techniques and customer interactions.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Design Challenges:
- Balancing creative recommendations with customer preferences and budget constraints.
- Handling delicate or valuable artwork requiring specialized framing techniques.
- Managing workload and ensuring timely completion of multiple framing orders.
- Staying updated on framing trends, materials, and techniques.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- On-the-job training in custom framing techniques and equipment operation.
- Developing expertise in different types of framing materials and their applications.
- Enhancing customer service and sales skills through interaction and training.
- Potential for cross-training in other areas of the store or leadership development programs.
💡 Interview Preparation
Design Process Questions: While not a traditional design role, be prepared to discuss your approach to the "design" aspects of framing:
- Describe how you would help a customer choose the right mat and frame for a photograph.
- How would you handle a situation where a customer's vision for framing doesn't align with best practices for preserving the artwork?
- Explain a time you had to pay close attention to detail to ensure a successful outcome.
Company Culture Questions: Research Michaels' focus on creativity and customer service. Be ready to discuss:
- Why you are interested in working at Michaels and specifically in the framing department.
- How you provide excellent customer service.
- Your ability to work as part of a team.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy: Focus on showcasing your enthusiasm for art and creativity. If you have any examples of personal projects or framing you've done, be ready to share and explain your process and choices. Emphasize your willingness to learn and your attention to detail.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this design position:
- Submit your application through this link.
- Tailor your resume to highlight any retail experience, customer service roles, experience with tools or hands-on work, and any involvement in art or creative activities.
- Prepare to discuss your interest in art, crafting, or custom framing during the interview.
- Research Michaels as a company, understanding their focus on creativity and customer experience.