Assistant Store Team Leader

The Assistant Store Team Leader (ASTL) assists the Store Team Leader (STL) in managing all team members in their respective site location and ensures the successful operations of the store. The ASTL assists the STL in creating and implementing operational strategy, vision and expectations. The ASTL is directly responsible and accountable for the operational performance, working conditions and safety of the store at all times. Some of the performance criteria includes meeting annual budgets, margin and sales goals, adherence to labor budgets, training of management and team members; as well as ensuring professional customer service is provided to all. The ASTL must be a leader by representing La Montañita Food Cooperative in a professional manner in accordance to management guidelines and expectations. The ASTL manages, supervises, communicates and develops team members with mutual respect, inclusion, diversity and dignity.

SOME ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Trains all staff on store, personnel policies, procedures, safety issues, job task requirements, products, and customer service.
• Holds all staff accountable or delivering outstanding customer service.
• Assists, provides input and makes hiring and separation decisions.
• Oversees and assists in coordinating product selection, pricing and promotions in all departments.
• Ensures all customers are greeted enthusiastically and given 100% focus while they are being serviced in the store.
• Responsible for overall direction, coordination, evaluation and financial results of the store.
• Manages staff in a manner consistent with La Montañita Food Cooperative policies, procedures and philosophy by maximizing productivity, customer service and team member satisfaction.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative and productive working relationship with departmental and co-op wide leadership.
• Establishes and maintains positive and productive vendor and third-party contractor relationships.
• Ensures that all federal, state, local and La Montañita Food Cooperative regulations and standards for product freshness, safety, refrigeration, sanitation and weights and measures are met.
• Creative merchandising, including the building of effective displays, promotional ideas and strategic product placement.
• Responsible for inventory control and ordering for the store; including facilitating all store inventory.
• Accountable for annual budgets, departmental performance and payroll including cost of goods, labor and expenses.
• Assists in processing and replenishing merchandise as needed.
• Participates in receiving and monitoring floor stock.
• Maintains floor presence and practices participatory management with all departments.
• Effectively maintains communication channels through all available platforms.
• Knowledgeable about cooperative values, structure and membership as a whole.
• Educates customers about the product’s available in the store; initiate suggestive selling and sampling of products.
• Communicates and works with STL to solve problems and improve quality and service.
• Other responsibilities and tasks as required and assigned.

GENERAL ATTRIBUTES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two (5) years of experience in retail grocery environment and one (2) years leadership/management experience.
• Advance knowledge of products, buying, pricing, merchandising, and inventory management.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills.
• Advanced knowledge of financial statements and ability to create spreadsheets.
• Focus on efficiency, productivity and ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Solution oriented and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of teaching others positively and constructively.
• Management Food safety and Alcohol Server Training certifications. If not currently certified, will commit to completing certification within 1 month.
• Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory.
• Demonstrates decision-making ability, leadership skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate.
• Proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills and able to communicate with individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Effectively present information in one-to-one and small group situations to customers and other employees.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Able to adhere and follow safety and wellness guidelines. Safety conscious and adhering to required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is required.
• Advanced knowledge of regulatory and safety policies and procedures.
• Able to act with integrity, ethically, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Able to adapt to changes in the work environment, industry with a calm professional demeanor.
• Able to provide outstanding customer service (complete the full customer service cycle).