Company description

Within the context of a working farm and educational outreach, the mission of the Orchard Community Learning Center is to create and implement programs which provide direct service and advocate for change in the systems of food, personal wellness, education, and the stewardship of all species on Mother Earth. Each of the Orchard’s programs is grounded in the sciences of personal, community, and planetary wellness embedded in principles of justice and equality. The work is intentionally designed to function through a hyper-local economy of and for the community. Our latest project is the launch of a healthy foods corner store.

Job description

Position: Ecotienda Store Lead

Position description

The Store Lead is a temporary, independent contracted position under Orchard Community Learning Center (OCLC), a nonprofit 501C3 organization. This new position plays a critical role in developing and designing operating procedures to support the soon-to-launch “Las Tres Hermanas Ecotienda” healthy foods corner store in South Phoenix at the Brooks Academy campus. The Orchard's mission is to open doors connecting our diverse community with access to educational & green spaces for healthy living. We actualize practices of regenerative agriculture, including the planting and foraging of ancestral foods and respect for the land by addressing the urgency of climate change affecting the planet, people, animals and ecosystems.

The Store Lead is responsible for providing daily oversight of all store operations, ensuring that the retail environment is organized, profitable, and aligned with the store’s mission. This includes managing daily activities such as in-store events, tastings, and tours. The Store Manager also works with Healthy Roots Garden and participates in broader organizational activities to promote the store. The role involves generating promotional ideas and collaborating with marketing/social media to increase market exposure.

Anticipated Hours: 20-25 hours/week

Compensation: $20.00/hour

Timeline: March 23-June 30, 2026 (and possibly beyond)

Location: In-person in South Phoenix with the Healthy Roots Garden and Las Tres Hermanas Ecotienda

Responsibilities

Operational management

• Ordering, receiving, and maintaining invoice tracking
• Maintain merchandising and quality standards
• Complete opening/closing responsibilities
• Communication with Healthy Roots Garden for product availability and harvesting

Financial management

• Manage and maintain proper inventory levels on shelf and backstock
• Execute store promotions and specials
• Pricing and signage management
• Responsible for organizing and completing monthly inventory
• POS system compliance
• Print/review reports for daily sales, product movement, etc.

Food Safety and Sanitation

• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and legal requirements
• Maintain all food safety & sanitation records, including cooler temperature logs
• Maintain store cleanliness
• Follow FIFO for all food storage areas

Service

• Create an inclusive environment where all customers and team members experience a sense of belonging and respect.
• Collaborate with team on outreach, events, and activations.
• Coordinate volunteer training and activity.
• Remain knowledgeable about products with the ability to communicate attributes, source, or information about maker/producer.
• Ensure active sampling schedule to promote product sales.
• Research and make suggestions for new products and new local partners.
• Document customer feedback and suggestions

Must be/have:

• Passion for and knowledge of healthy, natural foods.
• Awareness of retail math formulas and terms with ability to monitor and impact performance.
• Familiar with SNAP & EBT programs.
• Ability to be proactive, resourceful, and adaptable.
• Ability to prioritize, be flexible and adapt to daily disruptions.
• Motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends

Desired Experience/Interest:

• Experience and connection to social causes, with a lens towards food justice.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
• Familiar with Arizona Double Up Food Bucks program.
• Previous retail/grocery experience.
• Possess AZ Food Handlers Card
• Experience with POS systems (we’re using Clover Duo)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to frequently lift 25 lbs.
• Occasionally work in coolers and freezers

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

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Deadline

March 23, 2026