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 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. Does not 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

• Displays fruits and vegetables to give impression of abundance and quality, while maintaining proper handling and storage conditions.
• Replenishes and rotates displays, following stocking priorities set by Produce Managers.
• Culls displays several times daily, recording and disposing of low-quality produce following established procedures.
• Trims, washes, and bundles produce, following priorities set by Produce Managers.
• Checks deliveries for damage, quality, and accuracy, notifies Produce Managers of discrepancies.
• Helps with unloading as needed.
• Rotates deliveries into storage. Labels and dates all items accurately.
• Maintains produce cases, display areas, coolers, prep and storage areas in clean, orderly condition, meeting health department standards.
• Maintains department equipment in working order. Monitors cooler temperatures.
• Advises Produce Manager or Assistant Manager of equipment repair or replacement needs.
• Keeps department supplies (bags, twist ties, recipes) fully stocked. Informs Produce Manager of supply ordering needs.
• Completes job responsibilities in a timely manner.
• Operates with a sense of urgency to minimize customer wait time.
• Follows daily priorities to ensure productive workflow.
• Checks in with Manager about the day’s responsibilities, ask for assistance or direction as needed.
• Follows established department procedures for opening, closing, timelines and documentation.
• Communicates issues with products and customer requests to Produce Manager.
• Participates in periodic inventory counts.
• Completes other tasks as assigned.

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.
• Ensures department work areas and aisles are clean and orderly and meets all Health Department and ADA requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of one (1) year in a customer service and one (1) year of Produce stocking experience preferred.
• Familiarity with natural foods preferred.
• 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 other 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.
• Availability to work a variety of shift times (ex: opening or closing).
• Availability to work a minimum of one weekend shift (Saturday or Sunday).
• Illinois Food Handlers card required.
• Displayed ability to lift 50#, bend frequently, and stand for long periods.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.