External Operations Manager Jobs in Danville, VT

Reports to: Grocery Manager

Pay Grade: 7 (full-time, salaried exempt)

Schedule: Tuesday-Friday Hours TBD; Saturday 1:00p-9:00p Manager On Duty

Supervises: Provides support and supervision of Lead Buyer, Grocery Buyer, Assistant Grocery, Dairy, and Frozen Buyers, Bulk Co-Buyers, Bulk Packers, Perishables Stockers, Bulk Stockers, Grocery Stockers, Meat & Fish Buyer, Meat & Fish Clerks

Purpose: To effectively oversee the operations of the Grocery Department. Provide guidance and supervision in stocking, buying, and leadership in the day-to-day operation of the Grocery Department in conjunction with and in the absence of the Grocery Manager.

Job Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers, including employees, vendors, and shoppers.
• Be available to staff and customers to ensure efficient and friendly customer service; provide support to department staff in ensuring excellent customer service through ongoing coaching and training.

Supervision

• Support the Grocery Manager in hiring staff, training, staff performance evaluations and maintaining scheduled hours for department staff.
• Supervise the grocery, bulk, perishables and meat & fish departments.
• Assist in the planning and facilitation of department meetings.
• Oversee the stocking of all aisles, displays and end caps, including facing items on shelf. Participate in order breakdowns and stocking as needed.
• Assist in processing payroll and setting schedules of Grocery Department personnel.
• Conduct staff performance evaluations in accordance with the union contract (collective bargaining agreement).
• Assist in administering the work problem resolution procedure to Grocery staff as required by the collective bargaining agreement.
• Assist Grocery Manager with informing staff of all changes in store policies and procedures affecting the department.

Merchandising

• Plan, ensure and assist in the maintenance of attractive, fully stocked, faced, and rotated retail sales sections of the store.
• Provide stocking priorities to stockers.
• Attend Promotions Team meetings to plan promotions, cross merchandising, and advertising.
• Visit other stores for price comparisons, product and merchandising ideas.
• Attend trade shows as assigned and needed.
• Provide product information to customers, staff, and through the store e-newsletter in collaboration with Community Relations.
• Assist with special orders.

Purchasing

• Support and supervise the Lead Buyer, Bulk Co-Buyers, and Meat & Fish Buyer in negotiating with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery.
• Support the Lead Buyer, Bulk Co-Buyers, and Meat & Fish Buyer in evaluating vendors and investigating new sources of supply.
• Assist in providing pricing guidelines to all Grocery department buyers to maintain margin.

Operations

• Communicate constructive feedback to Grocery staff daily.
• Provide frequent feedback to the Grocery Manager about employee performance, both written and verbal.
• Participate in developing the Grocery Department budget, with the Grocery Manager, and adhere to it.
• Complete daily paperwork in compliance with standards of accuracy as established by Grocery Manager.
• Assist in creating, improving, and maintaining systems for all personnel training, including stocking, buying, personal and storewide safety, and professional development for Grocery staff and Grocery management team.
• Maintain all work areas in a clean, tidy, safe and organized condition.
• Assist in ensuring that the Grocery staff follow all health code and safety procedures and cleaning schedules.
• Help facilitate communication between the Grocery staff and Marketing.
• Assist in helping to cover the role of Manager On Duty during operating hours, as requested.

Department Maintenance

• Ensure the smooth operations of the Grocery Department, including ordering, returns, credits, shrinking records, inventory counts and maintenance, stocking, deliveries, and backstock maintenance.
• Lead through well-defined standard operating procedures and systems in the execution of department business plan.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Grocery Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The job duties/responsibilities listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform.

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
• Two years prior supervisory experience or equivalent, including interviewing, hiring, training and staff performance evaluations.
• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and follow through on commitments and deadlines.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, prioritize effectively, and problem solve.
• Ability to cultivate a supportive and team-oriented work environment.
• Ability to follow all safety policies and procedures of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Ability to provide excellent service to customers, vendors, and co-workers and abide by Hunger Mountain Co-op’s service policies.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and on short notice.
• Ability to give clear instructions and to listen actively.
• Ability to follow attendance policies of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Ability to be physically present at the Co-op to perform the requirements of this position.
• Knowledge of natural foods industry and trends.
• Knowledge of finance/computers, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.