Company description
The story of Caledonia Food Co-op began in 2018, when a few friends gathered to explore the possibility of opening a new natural foods co-op in St. Johnsbury. That small group formed a board, incorporated the organization, and began selling $100 shares to community members who believed in the vision.
From the beginning, the goals were bigger than simply opening a grocery store. Founding members envisioned a place that would provide healthy food for a growing community, create new markets for local farmers, strengthen the local economy, and give the community an opportunity to own and support its own grocery store. They also envisioned creating good jobs, bringing hundreds of daily visitors downtown, keeping millions of dollars in local spending within the region, and creating a destination that would add to the Northeast Kingdom’s food, culture, and recreation landscape.
That vision continued to grow. By 2024, the co-op had earned significant community support and grown to more than 1,380 member-owners, guided by an 11-member elected board. On April 10, 2024, the co-op reached a major milestone when it purchased its future home at 502 Railroad Street in downtown St. Johnsbury.
From there, years of fundraising, planning, construction, and community support brought the vision to life. Today, Caledonia Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery store serving St. Johnsbury and the surrounding region, with a commitment to healthy food, local producers, and a stronger local economy.
Our original vision continues to guide us:
We are a member-owned store in the St. Johnsbury area that supports local growers and sells healthy food. We are a boost to the local economy and a contributor to a vibrant community.
The co-op exists because people in this community believed that something better was possible. Every member, shopper, local producer, employee, and supporter is now part of that story.
Job description
About Caledonia Food Co-op
Caledonia Food Co-op is a member-owned grocery store that draws together the diverse communities of Caledonia County and surrounding areas in an inclusive space supporting food justice, local resilience, environmental stewardship, area food producers and a vibrant downtown St. Johnsbury.
Essential Job Duties
Supervise and manage Produce staff
Staffing and scheduling of Produce Department
Model impeccable and admirable leadership qualities, identify and develop leadership qualities in others, support succession planning and provide ongoing staff training/development
Achieve and maintain Produce departmental goals for sales, margin, and superior customer service
Administrative duties, including ordering, inventory, recruitment, training, performance management, discipline, departmental sales.
Negotiate with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery
Coordinate sale specials, demos, and utilize available advertising
Evaluate suppliers and investigate new sources of supply with a focus on local suppliers/farms
Additional Duties
Represent the company when dealing with vendors and local businesses
Assist in special projects/duties as assigned by Store Manager/General Manager
Essential Skills
Excellent customer service skills for both internal and external customers
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under pressure
Ability to effectively delegate tasks, train, and motivate staff
Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills
Ability to effectively monitor, maintain, and improve staff performance by respectfully and constructively delivering coaching and counseling to staff
Essential Mental & Physical Requirements
Works independently with limited guidance
Performs a variety of tasks independently as dictated by organizational demands
Relates information to diverse individuals both orally and in writing
Must have good analytical ability and be proficient in math
Standing for long periods, bending, walking, reaching, and sitting
Ability to climb up and down stepladders and stairs daily
Able to lift and carry up 50 lbs. as needed throughout the day
Requirements
Experience and Educational Requirements
A minimum of three years’ experience in a Produce Management role or an Associate degree and 1 year of applicable experience.
Other Qualifications
Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA & other federal, state & local standards - including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards
Ability to maintain reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA & other federal, state and local standards
Compliance with all personnel policies
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +
Application instructions
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Deadline
no deadline