Status

• Reports To: General Manager
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Supervises: Retail Departments: Wellness, General Mercantile, Center Store, Refrigerated/Frozen, Beer/Wine, Bread, and Promotions Liaison
• Benefits: medical/dental/vision insurance options, life insurance, short term disability insurance, 401k with company match, 20% store discount, paid time off accrual, Employee Assistance Program (free anonymous counseling), two paid holidays

Purpose

To lead the Retail departments including: Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, Bulk, Spices, Coffee/Tea, Beer and Wine, Vitamins and Supplements, Health and Beauty Aids, and General Mercantile, and support the Co-op's overall growth and development. Serves as a Manager On Duty for the store. Coordinates the efficient use of people and resources to best serve the customers, Supervises team to meet objectives for product selection, sales, margin, labor and customer service. Coordinates an excellently merchandised, sensibly organized, and accurately priced retail department with a product mix that meets customers’ needs, meets purchasing guidelines, and contributes to the financial best interest of the Co-op. Works on systems and procedures for all retail operations. Works cooperatively with members of the public, vendors, and staff and strives to keep a positive, solution oriented work and shopping environment.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Role models outstanding and advanced internal and external service.
• Maintains cleanliness standards in the department.
• Ensures timely processing of special orders for the department.
• Works to improve customer service and owner relationships.
• Upholds and models Customer Service Pledge.
• Maintains familiarity with all areas of the store to best assist customers.
• Responds to requests from customers to research products or communicates requests to the appropriate Co-op Team member.

PURCHASING & PRICING

• Oversees strategic and replenishment purchasing for Retail departments.
• Tracks the reception of orders and processing of credits.
• Uses market research to ensure optimal product mix and pricing.
• Serves as the contact for retail product recalls.
• Negotiates with suppliers and brokers for favorable pricing, terms, quality and delivery.
• Oversees vendor relationships with local businesses.
• Ensures accurate costs, margins and data in Point of Sale (POS) system.
• Fulfills Co+op Deals and NCG Purchasing Agreement obligations.
• Coordinates periodic inventory counts.

PROMOTIONS LIAISON

• Understands and coordinates all store-level tasks critical to execution of Co+op Deal’s promotions program
• Serves as co-op’s primary contact for Co+op Deals and category management programs, including NCG New Item Program
• Understands all components of Co+op Deals program and coordinates related tasks with co-op staff
• Ensures that co-op is in compliance with terms of Co+op Deals Participation Agreement
• Communicates important Co+op Deals program information and updates to all impacted staff
• Shares critical program feedback with NCG purchasing staff

MERCHANDISING & PROMOTIONS

• Participates in development of marketing strategy for the department.
• Oversees promotions planning on the sales floor, including end caps, shipper placement, and all sale marketing collateral.
• Guides team to conduct periodic category resets.
• Coaches Retail team on maintenance of attractive displays and accurate shelf/bin tags and signs; ensures ordering of sufficient merchandise to stock sets for duration of display.
• Oversees schedule for regular product demos and sampling.
• Attends meetings to coordinate store wide promotions and merchandising; fulfills commitments as assigned.
• Provides outreach to the community regarding vendor relations.
• Attends trade shows as assigned; reads industry and trade journals.
• Visits other stores for price comparison, product and merchandising ideas.
• Provides product information to customers, staff, and submits department-related articles or information to the Co-op’s newsletter, e-news, website, etc.

DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

• Accountable for Retail department financial performance.
• Leads departmental meetings or delegates leadership to departmental Coordinators.
• Takes training as designed for the position; suggests and oversees training plans for staff.
• Keeps accurate records as directed.
• Ensures that the department is clean, orderly, and meets Health Department and customer service standards.
• Maintains department equipment in working order.

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Attends management meetings and fulfills duties for the organization as a whole.
• Maintains correspondence with staff, vendors, customers, and Owners.
• Maintains use of team and departmental information, calendars, schedules on shared drives and other technologies.
• Assists with the growth of the Co-op, and quality improvement processes.
• Coordinates departmental changes with the General Manager and other managers.
• Works as a peer in coordination with the Fresh Manager.
• Adheres to Management Team Agreement.
• Participates in budget development with the General Manager for the Retail department.
• Tracks and reviews financial reports of department performance (sales, margin, turns) with the General Manager. Sets goals and takes corrective action as needed.
• Serves on-call as necessary.

SUPERVISION & LEADERSHIP

• Accountable for department personnel and works with human resources.
• Executes training plans for Retail department
• Manages/supervises Cooperators, Specialists, Coordinators:
  • Coordinates staff on the floor, assigns work according to needs of the store.

  • Coaches Coordinators on supervision and management techniques.
• Serves as the Manager on Duty (MOD) for the store; Facilitates conflict resolution among staff.
• Oversees safety among staff.
• Models supportive and participative leadership; promotes empowerment.
• Manages compliance of established policies.
• Performs annual reviews

Performs other duties as assigned by the General Manager.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequently performs work in a retail grocery store.
• Works in temperature extremes (walk-in freezer, frozen or hot parking lot, hot kitchen, etc.).
• Utilizes hand trucks, u-boats, pallet jacks, grocery carts, box cutters, electronic ordering devices.
• Utilizes office machines, cash registers, tablets, computers, fax machines, scanners, photocopiers, telephone and intercom systems.
• Utilizes multiple systems of communication and data storage.
• Nature of work: 50% administrative; 50% on the retail floor; time allocation will vary depending on the time of year and activities required.
• May come into contact with hazardous materials in relation to cleanliness of the store.
• High-sensory environment

COMPETENCIES

Leadership

• Exhibits confidence in self and others
• Inspires and motivates others to perform well
• Effectively influences actions and opinions of others
• Accepts feedback from others
• Gives appropriate recognition to others
• Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement
• Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities
• Makes self available to staff
• Provides regular performance feedback
• Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth
• Fosters quality focus in others
• Improves processes, products and services
• Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Prioritizes and plans work activities
• Uses time efficiently
• Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks
• Delegates work assignments
• Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities
• Provides recognition for results.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities
• Contributes to building positive team spirit
• Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed
• Follows policies and procedures
• Supports Co-op’s goals and values

Safety and Security

• Adheres to co-op security procedures and safety guidelines that include, but are not limited to OSHA, MIOSHA, and Food Safety.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• At least two year's experience in grocery management, particularly in a retail, natural foods, or cooperative environment.
• Experience with natural products purchasing and merchandising.
• Firm grasp of margin, pricing and inventory control.
• Willingness and ability to learn to meet the changing requirements of the job.
• Able to work at least two weekends/month, early morning, late evening, or overnight shifts as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Training or leadership experience related to grocery or retail environments or cooperatives.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to use computer keyboard, mouse, telephone, and office equipment continuously.
• Ability to lift and carry between 20 and 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, reach above shoulder height, and climb stairs/ladders occasionally.
• Ability to use fine motor skills for typing, grasping, manipulating objects with fingers.
• Ability to write or type reports, and complete checklists in written or digital format.
• Ability to read and interpret small print and alphanumeric product codes.
• Ability to work overnight, weekend and non-business hour shifts as required.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a representative, but not exhaustive list of job functions that an employee may be required to perform. It is not intended as an employee contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances of its business or work environment change, regardless of job title or routine job functions.

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