Grocery Manager - Northampton

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: GROCERY MANAGER

Requires open availability including evenings and weekends.

Status: Reports to Store Manager

Pay Level: IX exempt.

Purpose: The Grocery Manager provides a high level of service to River Valley Co-ops internal and external customers and is responsible for building and maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere within our Co-op locations. They are responsible for the overall management of the Grocery departments operations and financial performance establishing and sustaining relationships with consumers and vendors and providing steady leadership to department staff. They order and oversee ordering by department staff for replenishment maintaining a profitable balance between full shelves and controlled backstock while meeting inventory turn goals. They partner with the Category Manager to execute promotional plans and displays. They ensure safe efficient operating procedures and they manage support and retain well-trained staff who provide excellent customer service. Additionally the Grocery Manager helps to initiate and maintain a department culture of engagement and creativity through training and positive influence in all Co-op locations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

PLANING

• Participate in the annual budget and business planning process.
• Meet or exceed budgets for Sales per Labor Hour Sales and Inventory turns.
• Monitor and review monthly and quarterly financial reports with staff.
• Establish and implement operational plans to meet department goals.
• Attend Management Team meetings and storewide meetings.

PURCHASING

• Set procedures for ordering and receiving that ensure full shelves controlled backstock and meet goals for inventory turns.
• Ensure orders and invoices are processed correctly and on time through our Point of Sale and financial systems.
• Establish and maintain ordering schedules monitor out-of-stocks and shift to secondary vendors to avoid them whenever possible.
• Place orders and oversee ordering by staff for all sub-teams.
• Partner with Category to purchase products for special deals and promotions.
• Ensure adequate and timely supply of promoted products.
• Attend trade shows as needed.
• Arrange for cross-training to ensure adequate backup for ordering in each department.
• Partner with Category to conduct periodic price surveys of identified competitors.
• Partner with Category to ensure that new products are effectively launched.

MERCHANDISING

• Ensure product displays are eye-catching seasonally appropriate and shoppable with accurate and attractive signage following merchandising principles.
• Implement store signage programs as developed with Marketing.
• Ensure that Department Team Leaders and Buyers follow signage standards.
• Ensure that all product displays both inside and outside of the building are clean full and have required signage.
• Partner with Category Store and Team management to initiate and execute area resets that improve the shopping experience stocking efficiency and sales.
• Coordinate in-store product demonstrations for promotions with Marketing.
• Provide product information for internal communications promotions staff and customers.
• Make periodic visits to our other location(s) and area stores to keep ideas for promotions products and displays fresh.
• Ensure that bin cards/signs in bulk are maintained with up-to-date information and visual sign integrity to create a clean and neat bulk department.

DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

• Keep shelves coolers bins and department items in clean orderly condition.
• Remove trash promptly; sweep and mop the floor.
• Keep department equipment in the assigned area in working order.
• Use equipment safely. Monitor cooler and freezer temperatures. Advise the Merchandising Team Stocking Leader/Receiver of equipment problems.
• Participate in periodic inventory.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT & TRAINING

• Hire qualified applicants following the established procedure.
• Facilitate all direct report new staff member training:
  • Culture and behavioral expectations.
  • Policies and procedures.
  • On-the-job training.
• Oversee and assess probationary period for all new direct report staff.
• Complete for direct report staff and submit to applicable business partners benchmark reporting: evaluations discipline etc.
• Review payroll for direct reports.
• Ensure that the Assistant Manager is completing the same for their direct reports: training discipline evaluations and payroll.
• Utilize interpersonal and communication skills to lead the Grocery department staff.
• Inspire department staff to deliver outstanding customer service including product knowledge around taste use and storage finding and selecting products greeting customers who are within 6 feet and creating a welcoming and delightful shopping experience.
• Display exceptional leadership by providing a positive work environment counseling employees as appropriate and demonstrating a dedicated and professional approach to management.
• Understand employee positions well enough to perform duties in employees absence or determine appropriate replacement to fill gaps.
• Ensures all grocery staff members are trained to maintain required food handling and sanitation certifications.
• Review staffing levels to ensure that operational needs and financial objectives are met.

SAFETY

• Maintain quality levels of receiving storage production and presentation of food.
• Ensure that a high standard of sanitation cleanliness and safety is maintained throughout the department.
• Monitor and train staff to increase their knowledge about safety sanitation and accident prevention principles.
• Establish and maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all department areas and equipment.
• Ensure that bulk bins are thoroughly cleaned regularly and on a schedule
• Ensure proper purchasing receiving and storage for safe food standards.

ALL STAFF DUTIES

• Abide by all Co-op policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and other Co-op documents.
• Regular predictable attendance.
• Keep the office orderly and clean.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Store Manager.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• Previous management experience.
• Four (4) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with designing retail displays.
• Ability to maintain a professional and mutually beneficial relationship with vendors.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills.
• Flexible - willingness to be open to learn and take on new responsibilities.
• Demonstrate objectivity neutrality and calm.
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to read analyze and interpret general business periodicals professional journals technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to understand and use calculations needed to set pricing to achieve margin goals manage payroll project sales and manage department expenses.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers committees suppliers customers and staff.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions.
• Ability to work as a collaborative team player.
• Ability to follow through on systems procedures and policies.
• Ability to work efficiently and safely in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to be flexible and to adapt to changing conditions quickly.
• Ability to manage time with consistent weekly deadlines for reporting and other time-sensitive assignments.
• Ability to use computers and applicable software and programs specifically Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to work with customers and co-workers from various cultural backgrounds.

FUNCTIONAL

• Standing walking kneeling bending sitting and reaching.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to use hands or fingers to handle or feel.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping pushing pulling and fine manipulation.
• Ability to use office equipment: computer Point of Sale scanner fax copier.
• Ability to work in cold damp conditions.
• Ability to lift 75 lbs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functional job duties.

PREFERRED

• Previous experience partnering and working within a union environment.
• Natural foods (retail wholesale prepared foods).
• The ability to speak Spanish French or Swahili is a plus.

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