GENERAL MANAGER Job Opening

Rutland Area Food Co-op General Manager, Rutland, VT

The Rutland Area Food Co-op (RAFC) is seeking an energetic community-oriented leader to serve as our General Manager and lead the Co-op through the planning and implementation of a significant expansion. The Rutland area has a vibrant and growing local food and farming movement, with several farmers’ markets and many community-supported agriculture enterprises. The Rutland Area Food Co-op was incorporated in 1995 as a patron-owned market for the community, committed to improving the quality of life for people in the Rutland region through the sale of whole and natural food and wellness products. Our mission is to operate a cooperative, not-for-profit retail food store; provide affordable access to whole, natural foods and wellness products; provide a market for local, regional & cooperative producers; provide a community building & educational center for working, shopping, learning, empowering; support and work cooperatively with individuals & organizations with similar purposes. We are owned by approximately 2000 owners, governed by a Board of Directors, and operated by 21 staff owners.

GENERAL MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose: To lead Rutland Area Food Co-op so that it achieves the End Policy as determined by our Board of Directors, as follows:
Because of the Rutland Area Food Co-op, our community will have:

• Affordable access to natural, whole and minimally processed and packaged food items and other products that form the basis for healthy and ecological lifestyles.
• A market for local, regional, and other cooperative producers of food and other household and personal products.
• A community building and educational center where owners and other patrons can work, shop, and learn together and empower each other.
• Support for and cooperation with other individuals and organizations whose purposes are similar to those of the Co-op.

GENERAL MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES
The job of the General Manager is to:

• Ensure achievement of organizational results as defined in Ends Policy and to avoid unacceptable conditions, as defined in Executive Limitation Policies. The General Manager has the authority to reasonably interpret both of these Policies.
• Create and implement store policies and procedures with the goal of fostering an environment which will ensure their success.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with owners and the greater community in order to promote RAFC mission and broaden community participation.
• Establish and evaluate development goals and priorities, including continual assessment of capital needs and performance objectives for Department Managers.
• Monitor budget progression which includes identifying deviations and taking corrective action to meet established goals.
• Efficiently and effectively organize and oversee the Co-op’s operations which includes monitoring the overall store condition to meet budgetary goals and customer service standards in order to ultimately ensure profitability
• Meet business and organizational goals including current operational goals as well as future expansion goals.
• Facilitate the hiring, orienting, training, active supervision, scheduling, timely and thoughtful evaluation, promotion, discipline and/or dismissal of all Co-op staff
• Oversee and collaborate on marketing efforts in order to increase public awareness of the Co-op’s products and services as well as contribute to community education
• Ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all employees which includes consistent staff meetings, measurable objectives and performance standards, staff training and opportunities for development and an employee handbook that is kept current

The job responsibilities and duties listed above are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that the general manager may be required to perform.

Board Relationship and Reporting

The General Manager is accountable to and serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors, which operates under Policy Governance. The Board and General Manager work together to establish and implement goals and policies. The General Manager also reports directly to the Board of Directors. Such reporting will include directing and monitoring all financial operations of RAFC including operating, capital and cash budgets as well as interpreting financial statements to the board at monthly meetings. The Board uses policy to define the results the General Manager is expected to achieve within defined limits of prudence and ethics.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

• Retail management experience including responsibility for setting sales goals, product merchandising, purchasing and pricing guidelines, marketing and bottom-line decisions
• Embrace values that align with a cooperative business
• Experience with operating and capital budgeting and management
• High level of communication skills; written and verbal
• Ability to analyze and report on financial performance as well as proficiency in accounting, including bookkeeping and financial statements
• Proven ability to build, develop and lead a team, including delegation skills
• Experience with strategic planning
• Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, build relationships with stakeholders, and resolve conflicts
• Ability to lift heavy objects and be on feet for 8 hours/day

Desired Qualifications:

• 5-10 years of experience in natural foods and/or Co-op retail management
• Knowledge of natural and organic foods
• Experience with retail store expansion
• Experience with fundraising and/or owner loan campaigns
• Proficiency in Point-of-Sale (POS) & Quickbooks
• Knowledge of the care and maintenance of retail/food store equipment including coolers, freezers, sanitizers, ice makers, scales, compressors and evaporators.
• Understanding of corporate leases and landlord/tenant relationships
• Familiarity with writing business plans and sourcing financing for large projects
• An understanding of food systems, and economic & environmental sustainability

This is a full-time (40+hours/week), salaried position. Compensation is $45,000 + bonuses.

To apply please send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to: [email protected].