Development Communications Associate Jobs in Bemidji, MN

The President provides overall leadership and direction for Lueken’s Food Stores, working closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team to establish and execute the company’s vision, strategy, goals, and policies.

The President is accountable for overall company performance and for ensuring that people, culture, operations, and strategic initiatives align with Lueken’s purpose, values, and commitment to associates, customers, shareholders, and communities.

The ideal President is a servant leader, strategic thinker, strong business operator, and relationship builder who can balance long-term growth with strong day-to-day execution.

• Develop and execute the company’s short- and long-term vision and strategy.
• Establish measurable goals and hold the organization accountable for results.
• Identify opportunities for growth, acquisitions, diversification, partnerships, and increased market share.
• Present significant opportunities and recommendations to the Board with sound strategic and financial analysis.
• Stay informed on industry trends, competition, consumer behavior, technology, and emerging opportunities.

• Oversee company operations and ensure performance aligns with strategy and values.
• Drive revenue growth, profitability, cash flow, and long-term shareholder value.
• Understand and effectively manage P&L, balance sheet, budgeting, capital investment, and cash flow.
• Use financial and operational data to identify problems, opportunities, and solutions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the ESOP and its importance to employee ownership.

• Understanding of the ESOP and drivers of shareholder value, and related duties and obligations.

• Build a high-performing culture based on ownership, accountability, trust, service, and continuous improvement.
• Attract, develop, mentor, and retain a strong senior leadership team.
• Develop future leaders and strengthen succession planning.
• Work closely with Human Resources to attract people who fit and strengthen the culture.
• Create an environment where associates feel valued, challenged, and proud of their ownership.

• Maintain a deep understanding of customers, markets, and competitors.
• Ensure Lueken’s consistently delivers an excellent customer experience.
• Develop effective marketing strategies that reflect the unique needs of each market.

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with vendors, industry professionals, and community leaders, and related organizations. Strengthen Lueken’s brand and clearly communicate why customers should choose Lueken’s.

• Build a strong, trusting, and productive relationship with the Board.
• Provide the Board with clear information, analysis, recommendations, and perspective.
• Help educate the Board on industry trends and strategic opportunities.
• Serve as the company’s primary spokesperson and build strong relationships within the communities Lueken’s serves.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical, and corporate governance requirements.

The successful President will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking and the ability to turn vision into measurable results.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Exceptional leadership and people-development skills.
• Customer focus and strong understanding of competitive markets.
• Entrepreneurial thinking and willingness to challenge the status quo.
• Strong communication, listening, and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgment and decision-making ability.
• Accountability and execution.
• Integrity, humility, and a commitment to servant leadership.

• Change leadership: Ability to detect shifts and challenges in our markets and industry and proactively engage an appropriate team to gain understanding, execute solutions, and adjust based on performance of those solutions.
• Comprehensive understanding of the disciplines of retail grocery, including operations, marketing and merchandising, technology, food handling compliance, and supply chain.

• Ability to build trust and consensus among the Board, leadership team, associates, customers, and community partners.

Above all else, the President must have the humility and curiosity to continually challenge his or her own beliefs and assumptions. When a better path is identified, the President must be willing to change direction without reservation.

The ideal President will be committed to learning, adapting, developing people, serving customers, strengthening communities, and continually making Lueken’s better.

Lueken’s Food Stores, Inc has 8 locations, including 4 grocery stores, 1 convenience store and 2 liquor stores. We are located in Bemidji & Breckenridge, MN and Wahpeton, ND.