Linden Hills Co-op opened its doors in 1976, focused on positively contributing to the Linden Hills neighborhood. The primary catalysts of our inception were to create community and provide pure food options. Our store has remained small enough to meet your neighbors, yet big enough to meet your needs. We have sought to nurture strong ties to our community through our ample selection of locally made and raised foods and our community giving program. The co-op has always served as a gathering place; here to nourish bodies and lives.

Customer Experience

• Motivates grocery department staff to provide every customer with an exceptional shopping experience. 
• Assists customers in a prompt, friendly, courteous manner.
• Offers suggestions for purchases and ways to prepare products.
• Provides every customer with an exceptional shopping experience.

Purchasing

• Works with the TCCP Purchasing Department to ensure Linden Hills Co-op’s grocery department product and purchasing strategies are aligned with Co-op strategic goals.
• Evaluates suppliers, products, and broker offerings to ensure that the Linden Hills Co-op product selection is always interesting and relevant to our shoppers’ desires.
• Ensures product orders are sufficient to meet department in-stock minimums. Develop alternative strategies for in-stock levels when necessary.
• Receives orders and obtain credits following established procedures.
• Keeps accurate shrinkage records for grocery products.
• Negotiates with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality and delivery of products.
• Reviews departmental financial reports with Store Director and takes corrective action as needed.

Merchandising

• Plans displays based on projected sales volumes and promotions.
• Ensures all promotional displays are exciting and engaging for shoppers.
• Ensures current, accurate prices are in scanning system.
• Ensure department price & informational signage is accurate and timely.
• Assist with development and execution of grocery department promotions, in coordination with Store Director, Marketing Team, and Purchasing Team.

Department Operations

• Manages inventory, in-stock position, pricing integrity, merchandising, labor, expense control and other operational processes to company standards.
• Ensures department staff have tools and equipment needed to perform department tasks. Ensures department tools and equipment are maintained in working order.
• Ensures that all department areas are clean, well ordered, safe for customers and staff, and meet health standards. 
• Sets stocking priorities to ensure shelves are fully stocked and rotated for freshness. Stocks as needed.
• Ensures that unsellable items are returned or otherwise properly disposed of, following established procedures.
• Monitor cooler and freezer temperatures, notify Store Director or Manager on Duty of potential malfunctions.
• Follow established procedures for handling equipment breakdowns. Advises Store Director of equipment problems/needs.
• Actively works to motivate the grocery department team: lead regular huddles and meetings, ensure department communication is efficient and effective, and support all team members in achieving department goals.
• Set performance, productivity, and service standards for all department staff; coach and discipline employees as needed to ensure department standards are met.
• Continually evaluate department conditions, operations, and performance for improvement opportunities.
• Leads grocery department in periodic inventory counts.

Other Responsibilities

• Attends department, store-wide, and org-wide meetings.
• Supervises, train and develop team members in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Evaluates department conditions and operations to determine strengths and areas for improvement; reinforce strengths while developing and implementing improved practices and procedures.
• Ensures company standards for safety, proper food handling practices, sanitation and productivity are maintained.
• Work with Store Director to develop annual strategic & tactical plans for the department.  
• Works with Store Director in setting sales, margin, and labor goals for department.
• Visits other stores for price comparisons, product and merchandising ideas. Reads trade journals to keep abreast of developments in industry.
• Performs other tasks assigned by Store Director.

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in the retail grocery industry, including at least three years of progressive purchasing & management experience.
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team; ability to communicate effectively with customers.
• Knowledge and familiarity of Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, & Outlook)
• Experience using electronic inventory & Point of Sale Software (ECRS Catapult preferred).
• Ability to follow instructions and procedures, work without direct supervision on a variety of tasks simultaneously, and delegate tasks and objectives to subordinates.
• Ability to visually examine products for quality and freshness.
• Knowledge of natural foods industry preferred.

Environmental Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend and stoop to grasp objects and climb ladders. Bend and twist neck and waist, reach above and below shoulders and squat.
• Bend and lift loads, not to exceed 50 pounds.  Push and pull carts weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation.
• Environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, ovens, freezer, outdoors, etc.)