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.
• Shops curbside orders with the customer in mind at all times. Ensuring the quality of product is the best we can offer.

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 beginning of scheduled shift. Demonstrates regular, predictable attendance.
• Works with a sense of energy and completes tasks in a timely manner.
• Understands the importance of and demonstrates excellent communication. Uses 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 with a willingness to improve and better performance.
• Acts in a manner consistent with Common Ground’s principles, mission, and vision.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Aids in giving front end staff proper training when hired as requested by the FOH Management team.
• Implements and monitors procedures to ensure accuracy and security of all cash received through Front of House (FOH) by upholding money-handling procedures, cashier over/short policies, and best financial practices in coordination with the FOH Management team.
• Documents procedures as requested by FOH Management.
• Utilizes a department communication tool which ensures all FOH staff are aware of changes in store policies and procedures, including policies and procedures affecting cashiers such as price changes, specials, and new programs.
• Provides timely back-up when needed on the register.
• Provides daily communication to store leadership through Google Drive/email.
• Walks store and ensure items are faced on shelves, store is clean, and products look full.
• Directs Changemakers to assist other departments as needed.
• Implements and monitors, in cooperation with the FOH Management team, policies and procedures for customer service, particularly dealing with complaints and errors.
• Ensures the FOH staff promptly and courteously answer phones and refer calls to the appropriate staff.

• Ensures prompt service to customers by all FOH staff, imploring a sense of urgency in all staff.
• Works cashier shifts as dictated by scheduling arranged by the FOH Manager.
• Troubleshoots POS system and work with IT and department managers to ensure prompt correction of pricing and scanning problems.
• Utilizes effective communication channels for FOH and between FOH and other departments.
• Sets daily priorities for department staff to ensure productive workflow in the absence of other FOH Managers.
• Follows established department procedures for opening, closing, timelines and documentation.
• Arranges for coverage of vacant shifts and fill in as needed in the absence of FOH Managers.

• Seeks and utilizes input from FOH staff on improving department performance & procedures
• Relays staff performance issues to the FOH Management team.
• Provides support, direction, and supervision to FOH staff during shift.
• Understands the duties and tasks of the curbside service.
• Works curbside shifts as assigned.
• Continued training and understanding of the curbside service. Keeps up to date with new changes, duties, and services offered within the service.

MANAGER ON DUTY RESPONSIBILITIES (in the absence of other FOH Managers)

STORE-WIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SATISFACTION

• Monitors service given around the store and step in/coach as necessary.
• Makes quick decision that directly impact service (returns, special circumstances, providing info. about products, locating products, awareness of store events and happenings, etc.).
• Steps in when a customer is upset and is in charge of de-escalation and resolving any issues.

STORE-WIDE SAFETY AND SECURITY

• Makes sure floors are dry, clean, and safe for navigation throughout the store.
• Monitors the store for threatening people/situation that may be dangerous and remove or call the police as necessary (shoplifters, panhandlers, intoxicated persons, solicitors, inappropriate behavior, etc.).
• Carries the MOD phone on person to be able to call emergency services when needed.
• Is aware of the location of all panic buttons and fire extinguishers in the store.
• Knows how to use the alarm system and who to call in case of emergency.
• In emergency situations act as the point person for coordinating evacuations or other employee/customer safety needs.
• Ensures that doors are locked/unlocked at the appropriate times and the alarm system is armed upon leaving and unarmed upon entering the store.
• Fills out incident reports for accidents and return completed forms to the HR Manager.

STORE-WIDE OPERATIONAL NEEDS/EFFICIENCIES

• Regularly walks the store to be sure work is being completed as assigned. Watch out for spills, dirty bathrooms, icy walkways, product out on the shelf when there is more in back; delegate work as necessary.
• Is aware of staff shortages throughout the store; delegate help as necessary.
• Supervise all store staff after dept. managers have gone. Take immediate action in situations that concern safety.

STORE POINT PERSON RESPONSIBILITIES

• Approve shift changes/people leaving early in the absence of department managers and aid departments with arranging coverage as needed.
• Check out all departments at the end of the night being sure the co-op is properly tucked in and secured.
• Manage sick call ins, help departments to arrange coverage as necessary, and inform department managers of decisions.
• Ensure openers are here on time and call if necessary.
• In emergency situations act as the point person for coordinating evacuations or other employee/customer safety needs.

DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE & SAFETY

• Understands and adheres to store emergency and safety procedures/resources.
• 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.
• Ensures department work areas and aisles are clean and orderly and meets all Health Department and ADA requirements.
• Reports equipment problems or structural failures to Operations or General Manager.
• Ensures adequate level of front-end supplies (including bags, water fountain cups, deposit tickets, counterfeit pens, adding machine tape, etc.) Detail receives deliveries and routes paperwork.
• Coordinates with Facilities or the General Manager to ensure front-end, bathrooms, and outdoor seating areas are maintained in clean, orderly condition.
• Ensures department work areas and aisles are clean and orderly and meet all OSHA & Health Department requirements.
• Ensures proper function and maintenance of cash register, POS system, and credit processing equipment. Acts as a liaison with companies for maintenance and repair of these pieces in coordination with the IT Coordinator. Advises the IT Coordinator of equipment repair and replacement needs.
• Knows where First Aid kit is and restocks if needed.
• Has a complete understanding of the curbside service and acts as curbside manager when needed.
• Develops and maintains curbside online portal and inventory if needed to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information for the highest quality of customer service.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of one (1) year in a leadership position.
• Minimum of one (1) year in a customer service position.
• Experience in training personnel.
• Ability to motivate staff.
• Attention to detail and safety concerns.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• 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 is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.
• 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.
• Availability to work a minimum of one weekend shift (Saturday or Sunday).
• Displayed ability to lift 50#, bend repeatedly, and stand for long periods.
• Illinois Food Handlers card, BASSET and CPR certifications required.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.