Cooperator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

Cooperators are entry level positions at the co-op. These team members work closely with department Specialists and Managers to consistently meet the needs of shoppers in a fast-paced service environment.
Produce Cooperators report to the Produce Manager. They receive, price, cull, prepare, display and rotate a wide variety of produce, floral and department products in compliance with established practices and standards.

Cooperator Duties & Responsibilities

• Work nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Collaborate with department Specialists to execute daily tasks within the department including opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned.
• Provide exceptional, prompt and friendly service in person and over the phone.
• Comply with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions; report all safety risks to store management (ex: items in need of repair, customer or employee accidents, safety risks or issues including robbery, theft, or fraud).
• Support training of new staff members by modeling best practices and established department procedures.
• Assist with ordering, inventory, and other duties as assigned.
• Gain and maintain knowledge of cooperative ownership and business model practices.
• Gain and maintain knowledge of products sold within the store and be able to respond to questions and make suggestions about products.
• Stay current with present, future, seasonal and special promotions and ads.
• Reports to work as scheduled and on time.
• Stay up to date on storewide and department communications, including digital communication, and engage appropriately.

Department Duties

• Receive, price, cull, prepare, display and rotate produce and department products in compliance with established practices and standards.
• Prioritize and re-prioritize tasks to ensure that the sales floor is clean, abundant, and welcoming.
• Actively participate in department promotions, including daily sampling.
• Build, stock, and rotate displays in an aesthetically pleasing way to ensure a sense of abundance.
• Ensure all department signs are accurate, in good condition, and clearly visible.
• Serve and assist customers, explain products, flavor, taste and preparation.
• Follow Safe Food Handling practices and safe equipment use including knives, production equipment, pallet jacks, and stocking carts.
• Assist with management of inventory and ensuring products are fresh and high quality.
• Ensure that all production, inventory, prep, and display racks are properly stored, labeled, and rotated.
• Maintain a neat and clean department, including coolers, backstock and other storage spaces.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers, engage in huddles and discussions of sales reports.
• Act as first response to correct mechanical and equipment failure and communicate maintenance needs to supervisor.

Physical Requirements, Working Conditions + Equipment

• Work requires standing/walking for 90% of a shift.
• Work requires the following motions: lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, twisting, squatting and reaching; hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning solutions, safely use sharp tools, and carefully operate all production equipment.

Qualifications and Skills

• Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Past work record reflects dependability and integrity.
• Flexibility of schedule to adapt and respond to the needs of the department.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Proven ability to follow through on commitments, prioritize and reprioritize as necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills.
• Must have the ability to read written and interpret verbal or demonstrated instructions; write identifying information and make requests verbally or in writing.
• Must be able to solve practical problems and work towards solutions.
• Must be able to perform simple addition and subtraction, as well as counting and recording.

Salary & Benefits

• $15.16-$16.16/hour
• 20% employee discount
• vacation and paid time off accrual
• medical, dental, vision insurance (at 30+ hours per week)
• free life insurance (at 30+ hours per week)
• pet insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3% match
• birthday and service anniversary recognition
• free community classes

About Us
Who says fresh, local and organic has to be exclusive? Not us. At The Merc Co+op, we think that all of us, every parent and caregiver, every coach, every friend, every teacher and every kid are hungry for affordable, healthy, delicious food. Our co-op is on a mission to make sure that everyone in our community has access!
The Merc Co+op is a grocery store owned by our community, not some corporate office 1,000 miles away. So, instead of focusing on Wall Street investors, we focus on what our neighbors want — nourishing everyone according to their budget and cooking style. We know how to get the best local food because we know our farmers by name. And, we’re passionate about giving back to our community because we know that good food is just the beginning of what we can achieve by working together. So, if you want the neighborhood gathering place for fresh, healthy and delicious food, our doors are wide open — to everyone.
Note: The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level.
Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental location, and/or needs for the particular position. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position.