Grocery Manager

Grocery Manager

REPORTS TO: Store Operations Manager

FLSA STATUS: Exempt; Salaried Employee

DEPARTMENT: Grocery

PURPOSE

Develop and manage all processes, procedures, policies, and employees in the grocery department in a manner that will attract and retain customers and employees. This includes but is not limited to accurate and timely purchasing, receiving, pricing and merchandizing of grocery products. Creating and maintaining a clean, safe, and friendly environment. Training, developing and managing grocery staff in a positive and productive manner that fosters excellent customer service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

The following description of is not intended to be all-inclusive. There are many necessary activities to satisfy any of the following performance guidelines.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Create a positive customer experience by modeling great service and providing ongoing customer service training and coaching to staff.
• Promptly resolve all customer comments, suggestions, and complaints in a manner appropriate to the perspective of the customer.
• Understand and communicate what it means to be a cooperative business and ensure that staff can answer customer questions regarding ownership and explain the advantages of the cooperative business model.
• Work with the Assistant Grocery Manager and Buyers to ensure all grocery staff are fully trained with the knowledge and information needed to provide excellent customer service.
• Communicate product updates like new items, replacements, out-of-stocks, and other issues to shoppers, Gorcery Staff and the Front End.

PURCHASING AND RECEIVING

• Ensure products are purchased, received, stored, and stocked in a manner that supports department goals for sales, margin, pricing, shrink, promotions, and displays.
• Negotiate with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery.
• Serve as Eastside's NCG promotions liaison and administer all aspects of the NCG programs relevant to purchasing and merchandizing.
• Ensure that communications from NCG and other partners regarding product updates, ordering deadline/delivery changes, and other important information is shared with appropriate staff in a timely manner.
• Maintain inventory control to maximize sales and turnover while minimizing out-of-stocks and overstocks.
• Develop and maintain purchasing and receiving tools, like order guides, receiving/credit logs, vendor lists, delivery schedules, etc.
• Review invoices for accuracy, price changes, and product additions, and ensure they are coded and submitted to accounting accurately and on time.
• In coordination with the Operations Manager, implement variable category pricing to achieve margin goals set by the General Manager, to enhance sales growth, and improve price image and accessibility.
• Monitor and correct issues with spoilage, out-of-stocks and mispicks.
• Ensure credits from suppliers are received and submitted as needed.
• Ensure that product handling procedures, including receiving, storing and stocking, are properly followed and in compliance with health code and other laws and regulations.

MERCHANDISING AND PROMOTIONS

• Maintain attractive, fully stocked, rotated and faced displays.
• Plan, organize, and participate in promotional display resets, as well as seasonal resets.
• Ensure accurate price labeling, shelf tags, and signage for all products, and request signs from Marketing and Scanning as needed.
• Plan and implement promotions in a manner that encourages sales and delights the customer, while considering seasonality and existing commitments to NCG promotions programs.
• Ensure proper and frequent culling of all out-of-date, poor quality, and/or otherwise unsellable items.
• Attend trade shows and read industry and trade journals to keep informed of industry trends.
• Work with the Merchandising Team to promote cross-merchandising of products and other merchandising strategies within the store.
• Work with brokers, product reps, and vendors to bring in new items and take advantage of product discounts.
• Regularly visit competitors to conduct merchandising and store conditioning comparisons.

FINANCIAL

• Plan, direct, and manage grocery department operations to promote and maximize productivity, sales and profit margins, and achieve labor goals.
• Review and analyze financial performance and make changes as needed to meet sales, margin, and labor goals.
• Monitor cost changes and update prices regularly (UNFI should be done monthly).
• Participate in the annual budget process.
• Coordinate quarterly inventory counts and submit them on time.
• Regularly evaluate and track sales using data gathered through the point-of-sale and other available resources.
• Participate in our Open Book Management (OBM) program and communicate weekly performance in department huddles.

DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS AND SAFETY

• Develop and update policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the grocery department as needed.
• Ensure all staff receive proper training for all policies and procedures.
• Ensure safe working conditions are maintained and staff follow safety policies and procedures, including proper lifting technique and the safe use of box cutters, pallet jacks and other equipment.
• Monitor equipment and fixtures and arrange for maintenance as needed.
• Ensure the grocery department areas and equipment remains clean and in compliance with health regulations and laws.
• Monitor department to ensure food safety requirements are adhered to including hand washing, temping, food storage and employee health, and take action as needed to correct unsafe situations.
• Maintain a safe and secure environment, adhering to all safety, food safety, and security programs, guidelines, and regulations.
• Set daily priorities for grocery staff to ensure productive workflow.
• Fulfill Safety Committee requirements.

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP

• Directly supervise all grocery staff to ensure policies and procedures are being followed.
• Model supportive and participatory leadership qualities to promote team building, cooperation, and motivate staff to achieve departmental goals.
• Develop systems that facilitate positive, clear, and concise communication.
• Develop and regularly update training protocols for all grocery positions and participate in staff training and ensure that all training protocols are followed.
• Monitor employee customer service, work performance, and adherence to co-op policies and procedures.
• Provide positive feedback, coaching, and disciplinary action as needed, in accordance with established personnel policies.
• Fully comply with all requirements as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Eastside Food Co-op and UFCW Local 663.
• Work with the Assistant Grocery Manager to determine a staff schedule that ensures department customer service and operational goals are met.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in our scheduling and attendance software, including current staff schedules, timecards, time off requests, and punches.
• Follow all agreed upon guidelines for posting the schedule and handling time off request.
• Track employee attendance daily and provide coaching and discipline in accordance with Eastside's Attendance Policy.
• Ensure all grocery staff attend department and storewide trainings and meetings.
• Conduct evaluations of grocery staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• In coordination with the Store Operations Manager and HR department, post, interview, and hire for open grocery positions.

OTHER

• Attend daily manager huddles.
• Participate and attend meetings of the Merchandising Team, Store Operations Team, and Full Management Team.
• Perform all other duties assigned by the Store Operations Manager.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Dependability: Punctual to shifts and meetings, meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability.
• Productivity: Prioritizes well, meets deadlines, manages time well.
• Adaptability: Adapts to change, open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Communication: Communicates well verbally and in writing, shares information with others, listens attentively, asks questions, stays open to other viewpoints.
• Customer focus: Always available for customers, understands products and services, maintains professional appearance, assumes responsibility for solving customer problems.
• Integrity: Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, supports cooperative values.
• Teamwork: Listens to others and values opinions, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and passion for food, including natural, local, and organic foods
• Minimum of one year prior supervisory experience
• Service-oriented individual with a high energy, positive and friendly demeanor
• Knowledge and aptitude of financial reporting concepts
• Computer skills (Excel, Word, email, attendance software, point-of-sale)
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Sound judgement, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to stand, bend, reach, and lift repeatedly for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift and move 60 pounds frequently during a shift
• Regular, predictable attendance
• Experience purchasing in a natural foods store preferred

Important Notice: The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Eastside Food Co-op reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or the work environment change.