At Common Ground Food Cooperative, we support local farmers & producers. We are here to serve the local CU area by providing nutritious groceries, house-made delights, and natural products for body & home. We strive to create a place for all our neighbors to gather & learn. We believe that good people and good food combined with hard work and care for community can bring great things to us all.

Common Ground isn't your average employer: we provide competitive wages and benefits, a great work environment, and plenty of opportunity for growth. You can make a difference here.

Common Ground offers:

• 3+ weeks paid time off for all employees (4+ weeks after 2 years service)
• Sick pay for all employees
• Staff discount for you and 2 others
• Employee charge account
• Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits
• Life Insurance (Voluntary additional coverage also available)
• Illness and Accident insurance
• Sustainable transportation incentive program
• Retirement Simple IRA & company matching
• Relaxed dress code
• Opportunity for advancement
• Employee referral program
• Employee assistance programs
• Employees included in Policy and Decisions

Common Ground's first and most important End is "The Co-op is the center of an inclusive and vibrant community." Everyone is welcome here. What this looks like for us regarding hiring: we do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Offers consistent, fair, and respectful customer interactions to ensure satisfied shoppers and encourage repeat customer traffic.
• Projects a helpful, approachable manner – smiling, eye contact, open posture, greeting nearby shoppers. Stops tasks to help a customer with full attention.
• Uses knowledge of body language and cues, along with talking to customers to understand and provide the desired level of personal service.
• Answers all phone calls within 3 rings.
• Understands and communicates the particulars of ownership to shoppers and staff alike.
• Looks at the sales floor from the perspective of the customer to ensure shelves are full and inviting.

COOPERATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively helps create an environment that is inclusive, safe, and respectful for everyone who works and shops at the co-op.
• Knows and promotes the cooperative principles and our Ends.
• Speaks positively and respectfully to and about coworkers, customers, local businesses, farms, and vendors.
• Operates with a sense of teamwork in daily tasks; approaches all things with solution-oriented thinking. Exhibits calmness under pressure.
• Supports customers, department, and store by being on time and ready to work at the start of all scheduled shifts. Demonstrates regular, predictable attendance.
• Works with a sense of energy and completes tasks in a timely manner.
• Understands the importance of excellent communication and demonstrates clear verbal and written communication, using knowledge of store organization to determine what information to share with whom, both within and across departments.
• Assumes the best in people. When facing an issue, goes direct to the person involved to work together toward a solution. Doesn’t engage in gossip.
• Promotes sustainability and reduces waste.
• Reads department and store communications.
• Attends all department and store meetings as required.
• Receives feedback and evaluations willingly and works to improve performance.
• Acts in a manner consistent with Common Ground’s principles, mission, and vision.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meets with Operations Manager weekly for planning and review of department projects and results. Identifies needs and issues and brings proposed solutions.
• Understands and works to achieve all department and personal performance goals.
• Understands and follows store policies; trains and holds staff accountable to policies.
• Checks in with Grocery staff about the day’s responsibilities, training, delegating, and coaching as needed.
• Ensures Center Store operations are effective and efficient; regularly evaluates processes and operations for improvement.
• Performs other tasks assigned by Operations Manager or General Manager.
• Attends all mandatory Manager and store meetings.

PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

• Ensures the Grocery department operates within established metrics: Sales growth, Labor, Margin, Shrink & Supply Budget.
• Is responsible for all Grocery inventory management and for ensuring quarterly inventories are completed accurately.
• Manages selection, purchasing and pricing of product offerings for all Center Store vendors in line with Common Ground’s standards and practices.
• Accurately figures cost and price of products according to Margin goals.
• Maintains items in POS system, including accurate up-to-date costs, pricing, and all other information according to standards.
• Effectively manages merchandising of the Grocery products, training staff to consistently high standards in stocking, service, safety, and cleanliness.
• Evaluates suppliers as necessary and investigates new sources of supply, negotiating favorable terms, quantity, and delivery.
• Regularly evaluates product performance and adjusts mix as needed. Creates reset plans and trains staff to build sets.
• Ensures adequate supply and selection of products keeping out-of-stocks to a minimum, back stock inventory levels down, and meeting order and credit deadlines.
• Coordinates ordering, receiving, and stocking of shared vendor products with other departments.
• Ensures staff place orders as assigned and are properly trained to order effectively.
• Track new products and category or brand trends utilizing available resources.
• Ensures prompt correction of pricing and scanning problems.
• Codes invoices in a timely manner. Reviews invoices for accuracy, price changes, and product additions.
• Ensures staff claim returns and credit from suppliers in a timely manner.
• Develops with Grocery Assistant Manager attractive promotional pricing and display plans, ensuring appropriate stock levels for both NCG coordinated programs and in-store generated specials; communicates all promotions and product updates with staff.
• Coordinates with other departments to create cross-merchandising promotions and displays.
• Ensures clean, timely and accurate shelf tags, sale signs and coupons are on shelves and displays. Coordinates with Marketing Department or NCG if needed.
• Works with Grocery Assistant Manager, Marketing and Front of House to communicate product updates and changes to customers.
• Coordinates sampling for Grocery, both in store and with vendors.
• Conducts periodic price comparisons with other stores; attend co-op tours, farm tours or trade shows when opportunities arise.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

• Ensures Grocery department operates within established metrics: Labor % and SPLH, turnover.
• Thoroughly understands attendance and time off policies; trains and coaches staff to properly use the Paycom app and to follow all store policies.
• Reviews all staff members time clock punches, requests off and shift switches; adds notes, ensures accuracy, and completes approval process balancing staff and department needs.

• Completes staff schedules no later than 2 weeks in advance; schedules grocery staff according to availability, department needs, sales budget and labor goals.

• Directly manages Grocery staff: including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, processing wage or status changes, terminations; meets staff management deadlines, including EAFs and other required paperwork.
• Determines, with the OM, all hiring needs and coordinates all interviews and needs for HR.
• Creates in partnership with HR all department training materials.
• Writes and delivers all reviews for Grocery staff.
• Ensures all staff have access to and know they can use the Open-Door Policy.
• Ensures all staff maintain any required certifications.
• Ensures all staff provide excellent customer service.
• Provides regular feedback on performance; develop staff for promotional opportunities.
• Provides support, direction, and supervision to Grocery staff during shift; works on the sales floor and provides leadership by example.
• Supports staff enrichment and involvement opportunities at CGFC.

DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT

• Ensures excellent communication with staff, other departments, and whole store. Manages staff email group.
• Ensures displays and shelves are fully stocked, rotated, faced, and fronted. Set stocking priorities for department staff based on department needs for sales generating work.
• Maintains department back stock and office areas: minimal stock, organization, cleanliness, and FIFO.
• Orders all supplies and any other necessary items for the department on time.
• Provides excellent internal, external, and vendor customer service.
• Coordinates and presides over any event participation as required.
• Establishes, documents, and maintains department’s standard operating procedures. Ensures staff is aware of and trained in these procedures.
• Seeks and utilizes input from grocery staff on improving department performance.
• Attends all required meetings.

DEPARTMENT MAINTENAINCE & SAFETY

• Understands and adheres to store emergency and safety procedures.
• Understands employee safety measures for food handling and preparation. Uses the most functional and efficient methods that meet all local and federal health codes.
• Observes good ergonomic practices, uses equipment safely and ensures staff are trained to observe all safety practices and expectations.
• Ensures department work areas and aisles are clean and orderly and meet all Health Department, OSHA, and ADA requirements.
• Develops and maintains Preventative Maintenance schedules, Daily/Monthly/Quarterly/Bi-yearly cleaning schedules; follows up to ensure completion.
• Coordinates repairs of equipment with store leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of three (3) years previous management experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years in a customer service position.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in retail purchasing or merchandising position.
• Previous experience with receiving large shipments, ordering, pricing, and inventory control preferred.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, and assess systems to provide efficient and productive operations preferred.
• Familiarity with natural foods preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.
• Ability to handle multiple demands.
• Calmness under pressure.
• Ability to project an outgoing, friendly personality.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication are essential.
• Commitment to superior customer service and to provide the highest quality shopping experience possible.
• Flexible schedule and availability for being scheduled during any store hours.
• Food Handlers and Allergen certification required.
• Displayed ability to lift 50#-80#, bend regularly and stand for long periods.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.