Store Director (Franklin Location)

Seward Community Co-op

Job Description

Store Director

Purpose:

The purpose of all managers at Seward Co-op is to direct operations towards a realization of the Seward Co-op Ends. Managers are expected to adhere to the Seward Co-op Code of Ethics in the creation and maintenance of a positive workplace and a welcoming and attractive retail shopping environment. Managers are to enhance the character of Seward Co-op through operational initiatives that impact success as measured by the Seward Co-op Scorecard.

The Store Director of the Seward Co-op will support and be guided by these high level goals while maintaining and shaping the storewide systems that will empower the Seward Co-op's management and staff to be efficient and effective in serving the needs of our community. The Store Director will serve the Co-op by planning, organizing, and evaluating storewide operations and managing staff and vendor relationships.

Status: Full-time. Reports to the Co-op General Manager.

Pay Level: VIII

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Work with the Co-op General Manager and other team members as requested to execute co-op’s strategic plans at the within our store to realize the long term vision and Ends.
• With appropriate input, propose to Co-op General Manager and other team members, recommendations to improve Seward Co-op’s policies, procedures, and practices.
• Work with Co-op General Manager and Finance Manager to develop and oversee operating and capital budgets to accomplish sales department, operations and store wide goals.
• Achieve financial goals by seeking solutions that use resources effectively to improve the cooperative experience for others.
• Collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to facilitate initiatives required to achieve co-op objectives that further the Ends.
• Identify need and organize Advisory Committees when appropriate.
• Strive for a balance between transparency, security and maintaining confidentiality with regards to personnel issues and the co-op’s strategic plans and priorities.
• Act as the lead employee of the store.

Store Management and Employee Relations

• Model supportive and participatory leadership; build teamwork and motivate staff to accomplish cooperative goals and realize the Ends. Be inclusive when making decisions, sharing openly opinions and respecting other points of view.
• Ensure a fair and safe work place for all staff consistent with the Employee Handbook and the goal of being a progressive workplace.
• Uphold all co-op policies and procedures.
• Recruit, hire and train qualified department managers following established policy.
• Recommend pay rates for direct reports within department budget and co-op pay scale. Approve wage recommendations of department managers according to Seward’s Co-op pay scale process.
• Ensure that sales department staff are scheduled according to established quarterly labor budget and broader cooperative operational needs.
• Follow and enforce performance standards for department managers.
• Complete timely and thoughtful evaluations of supervisor, peers and staff.
• Schedule, coordinate and lead all-staff meetings annually or as requested.
• Communicate storewide information, such as policy changes and all-staff meeting schedules, to department staff.
• Develop a store and department succession plan.
• Contribute regularly to employee newsletter, the Scoop.
• Model efficient and friendly customer service throughout the store.

Storewide Operational Duties

• Ensure storewide safety standards and timely response to safety committee issues.
• Develop and maintain emergency procedures store wide.
• See that store and property are maintained in clean, working order.
• Work with Co-op General Manager to maintain all required regulatory licenses, compliance with regulatory agency rules and regulations and act as point of contact for in-store regulatory agency inspections.
• Work with Co-op General Manager and Human Resources Manager on accurate and timely submission of general liability and workers compensation claims, acting as the point person between the claimant and insurance company as requested.
• Ensure the protection of co-op assets from theft and other malicious intent.
• Ensure recall procedure is timely and consistently used.
• Ensure high standards in all operational areas including customer service, product quality, physical plant maintenance, etc.

Financial Planning and Management

• Work with department managers, Co-op General Manager and Finance Manager to budget sales, labor and operational expense for store.
• Propose and implement measures that will reduce operating costs.
• Propose measures that will improve the customer and employee experiences.
• Propose capital improvement budgets for store.
• Ensure that all budgets are managed appropriately.

Merchandising and Marketing

• Support Merchandising Manager to realize the Co-op’s merchandising vision.
• Support Marketing Manager in implementing marketing initiatives in store.
• Act as media representative as requested.

Other tasks as assigned by Co-op General Manager

• Participate on all management and ad hoc teams as needed or as determined by the Co-op General Manager.
• Support the Seward Co-op Scorecard through initiatives and providing data as needed.
• Make decisions that treat co-op stakeholders (vendors, members, customers, employees) equitably.
• Contribute as needed to Seward Co-op’s member newsletter the Sprout!
• Attend conferences, trainings and industry events and assist other co-ops as appropriate.
• Provide support and data to the Co-op General Manager as requested.
• Perform other tasks assigned by Co-op General Manager.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Essential

• Management, supervisory or leadership experience in retail or a co-operative business environment.
• Knowledge of the natural foods or grocery industry.
• Ability to interpret financial statements, develop budgets and meet financial goals.
• Ability to develop and implement systems in support of co-op wide goals.
• Capacity for decision making, including ability to organize, prioritize, and delegate multiple, at times competing, demands.
• Excellent leadership — ability to inspire and motivate outstanding performance in others.
• Experience in facilitating group processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong communication skills in the English language (e.g., good listener) and ability to convey clear directions. Ability to communicate technical information to nontechnical audiences.
• Computer literacy and proficiency.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Willingness and ability to meet the changing requirements of the position.

Functional

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, reach, squat and walk for extended periods of time per shift.
• Ability to bend and lift loads, not to exceed 50 pounds. Push and pull carts weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Handle environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, ovens, freezer, outdoors, etc.).
• Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation.
• Ability to freely access all areas of the store including offices, sales floor, back stock areas, and walk-in coolers and freezers.
• Ability to move or handle merchandise throughout the store generally weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must have valid driver’s license on file if driving between locations for support.

Preferred

• Multilingual a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work with customers and co-workers from various cultural backgrounds.
• Experience supervising unionized staff.