Store Manager - Easthampton

River Valley Co-op Our Mission: River Valley Co-op staff members are all empowered ambassadors for our cooperatives mission of creating a just marketplace that nourishes the community.

Cooperative values and the larger cooperative movement inspire us to work together for a more sustainable and just future. As a team we work to leverage our grocery retails economic impact for positive social change in the food system our environment and our community. We are committed to social justice and developing our anti-racism and multicultural skills throughout our organization.

Our cooperatively-owned business values working together in partnership with our local food producers other vendors and service providers community organizations employees and our customers to serve our community food needs in ways that sustainably support our mutual needs and aspirations. We prioritize building and sustaining our business operations capacity to generate positive impacts for our employees business partners customers local economy the common good of our community and the environment.

Our friendly store operations specializing in fresh local organically grown and natural foods builds community resilience and grows our local economy. We work hard and have fun doing it act with honesty kindness and respect and strive to improve every day.

Position: STORE MANAGER

Requires open availability including evenings and weekends.

Status: Reports to Director of Operations

Supervises Store Department Managers

Pay Level: IX salary exempt.

Purpose: This position has four essential functions:

1. To set model and maintain standards for welcoming and outstanding service in our physical and virtual stores.
2. To lead store operations that are safe productive efficient and profitable. This includes a clean well-merchandised store with a product selection that meets our customers needs brand and multi-store structure.
3. To lead and mentor department managers who in turn effectively lead their departments and mentor staff and meet budget targets for sales margin and labor cost.
4. To ensure the store operates in compliance with our labor contract Co-op policies and local and state regulations.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in a key leadership role that contributes to developing an economically sound enterprise and a commitment to our values including support for the community sustainability social justice diversity equity and inclusion. They will also act as the backup to the Director of Operations in all areas of responsibility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

CUSTOMER SERVICE

It is the primary responsibility of every Co-op employee to serve our members and customers with a superior shopping experience by using excellent customer service skills. This responsibility includes but is not limited to friendly helpful interactions with staff and customers a willingness to assist all customers with their needs and explaining store policies and procedures clearly thoroughly and concisely.

STORE LEADERSHIP & STORE SUPERVISION

• Effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of store operations based on goals objectives and standards established by the Director of Operations.
• Supervise Department Managers and provide consultation coaching and problem-solving support in all areas of their jobs.
• Ensure labor contract compliance.
• Ensure that department managers have the training and resources necessary to fulfill their job responsibilities.
• Ensure that communications with staff are clear direct and respectful.
• Model supportive and participative leadership qualities promoting staff development team building and motivating staff to achieve departmental goals.
• Treat staff and managers with consistency and fairness in a style appropriate to a cooperative work environment.
• Participate in establishing goals and objectives for the organization.
• Lead store management team meetings and participate in store operations management meetings and co-op leadership meetings.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Contribute to the preparation of annual store and department budgets including sales gross margin labor cost (%) net profit capital expenditures and store expenses.
• Work with Department Managers to ensure departments meet sales margin and labor goals.
  • Monitor costs and ensure appropriate purchasing practices.
  • Monitor and ensure labor costs comply with the approved budget.
• Effectively utilize or develop reports with a full understanding of financial terms and retail equations used in River Valley Co-ops grocery retail management systems to monitor financial activities at the store level to meet financial goals.

OPERATIONS

• Oversee storewide weekly schedule.
• Handle or delegate any equipment/physical plant problems.
• Make recommendations to the Management Team regarding changes in operational policies and procedures to enhance customer service profitability and employee satisfaction.
• Work with the Operations Manager to ensure robust management and Manager On Duty presence in the store at all times. Regularly work opening closing and weekend shifts.
• Ensure labor contract compliance and compliance with all other store policies procedures and guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws: business licenses permits health regulations security etc.
• Ensure the smooth flow of store operations on a day-to-day basis. Arrange for coverage of vacant shifts as necessary.
• Ensure the retail store is full clean attractively merchandised and efficiently operated.
• Adjust staff hours and assign tasks as necessary to meet the demand of customer flow making recommendations to the Director of Operations regarding budgetary matters.
• Maintain efficient and effective store opening and closing procedures.
• Ensure proper store cleanliness and appearance during open hours. Ensure all departments have cleaning schedules and that they are followed.
• Conduct store audits for feedback to department managers.
• Coordinate and ensure accurate store and department inventories.
• Ensure useful store-wide communication channels and that all departments hold regular meetings.
• Coordinate remodels resets significant repairs and maintenance projects with appropriate people.
• Ensure safety and security daily.
• Ensure proper procedures for handling emergencies shoplifting theft robbery and inappropriate behavior at River Valley Co-op.
• Maintain a posted emergency plan for store equipment malfunctions to minimize product loss. Ensure that staff is trained in following the posted procedures.
• Spend a minimum of 50% of their time on the sales floor.

Qualifications

The following requirements are representative of the knowledge skill and ability required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Regularly lift 50 lbs. safely.
• Ability to be mobile throughout entire shifts.
• Bend squat stoop kneel or crouch.
• Use hands to handle and feel reach with hands and arms climb or balance.
• Ability to communicate positively with customers and coworkers.
• Sufficient vision to perform your job safely and accurately.
• Work a schedule that includes weekends early morning and evening shifts as needed.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Practical communication skills to listen and to give clear directions in English.
• Read and comprehend complicated instructions short correspondence and memos.
• Write simple correspondence.
• Effectively present information in one-on-one small group and large group situations to customers and employees.
• All employees must become familiar with membership information and must be able to provide this information to current and prospective members.

TECHNICAL & MECHANICAL SKILLS

• Use a telephone printer computer or copier.
• Operate equipment such as hand trucks U-boats and pallet jacks.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Add subtract multiply and divide using whole numbers common fractions and decimals.
• Perform these operations using units of American money weight measurement and volume.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least five years of management experience: hiring training evaluating coaching and developing.
• At least five years experience developing and implementing budgets; and meeting sales labor and margin goals.
• Familiarity and knowledge of current trends in the natural foods industry.
• Experience serving the public providing excellent customer service and having the ability to project a friendly outgoing personality with communications respectful of diversity in customers staff and vendors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The noise level is moderate.
• Will be required to use step stools step ladders box cutters and pricing tools.

EXCELLENCE IN THIS POSITION REQUIRES

• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Working in all situations to be personable helpful and cooperative with customers and staff.
• Proven experience developing systems and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience and success with retail management.
• Demonstrated ability to follow directions and follow through on commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to be organized and able to handle multiple demands.
• Familiarity with the cooperative method of business.
• Willingness and ability to meet the changing requirements of the position.
• Ability to project a friendly outgoing personality.
• Attendance at department and all-staff meetings.
• Commitment to anti-racism diversity equity and inclusion.
• A sense of humor.
• Willingness to accept additional responsibilities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Natural and local foods (retail wholesale prepared foods or personal engagement with and knowledge of products).
• The ability to speak Spanish French or Swahili is a plus.

River Valley Co-op is an equal opportunity employer encouraging excellence through diversity.