Grocery Order Writer - Sugar Beet Food Co-op

Center Store Order Writer Job Description

Purpose

A Center Store Order Writer is responsible for presenting an appealing, clean, and fully stocked center store department to optimize the customer experience throughout their time shopping in the store. This position is also responsible to assist the Grocery Manager in building relationships with suppliers to secure high quality center store products in alignment with department objectives for sales, margin, labor, and customer service. A Center Store Order Writer completes these responsibilities in a manner that upholds the values of the Sugar Beet Food Co-op and the cooperative identity.

Status

• Reports To: Grocery Manager
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• Pay Level: II

Essential Responsibilities and Functions

• Uphold all Co-op policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Customer Experience
  • Exceed our customers' expectations for service and provide a welcoming environment for all people and all diverse backgrounds and in accordance with the Co-op's customer service standards.
  • Model, provide, and ensure customers receive prompt, friendly and courteous services in a professional manner that demonstrates our cooperative advantage.
  • Wear proper clothing in accordance with the Co-op dress Code during shift, including nametag.
  • Maintain a calm and friendly demeanor with all customers and in all situations.
  • Offer suggestions for purchases and ways to prepare products.
  • Help customers place and fill special orders.
  • Provide staff with the tools required to ensure the highest level of service possible to our shoppers.
  • Provide product information and educational materials to customers and staff.
  • Work with leadership team to establish customer service expectations and procedures, and ensure staff is trained in them.
• Department Operations - Product and Merchandising focused
  • Purchases product for the packaged grocery sub department, as well as frozen, refrigerated, and grocery non-food sub departments in Center Store.
  • Place orders with established suppliers within guidelines set by Grocery Manager
  • Partner with buyers, demo team, and Grocery Manager to develop impactful, appropriate demo strategy.
  • Ensure purchasing, pricing, and stocking, utilizing established SOPs.
  • Assist Grocery Manager in complying with NCG procedures and policies regarding purchasing, new items, and demos.
  • Plan and maintain attractive displays. Set quality and display standards.
  • Ensure clear, attractive, consistent signage.
  • Provide product information for newsletter, promotions, and customer inquiries.
  • Assist in regular and through cleanings of all work and display areas.
  • Track and communicate product movement and shrink to the Grocery Manager.
  • Ensure that department is clean, orderly condition, meeting health dept. standards and all areas are fully stocked, rotated, and faced according to established procedures.
  • May assist the Grocery Manager in development of key team members of department.
  • Assist the Grocery Manager to educate team on new items and new vendors to ensure the team is prepared to tell the story to our customers.
  • Assist Grocery Manager in selecting items for specials; mark down items as need to reduce losses.
  • Coordinate with Grocery Manager and staff on new arrivals and seasonal changes.
  • Visit other stores for ideas on products, display, and pricing.
• Department Operations - Finance focused
  • Partner with the IT/POS Coordinator to ensure updated accurate prices are entered into CoPOS.
  • Review invoices for accuracy, price changes, and product additions,
  • Invoice and Purchase Journal processing as per Co-op operating procedure.
  • Utilize pricing strategy to achieve margin and sales goals, while maintaining a competitive image.
  • Keep accurate spoilage reports and coordinate returns and credit from suppliers.
  • Assist in coordinating quarterly inventory for Center Store.
• Safety and Security
  • Use equipment and materials properly in a safe manner that will not lead to injury of self or others.
  • Protect the safety of self, co-workers, and Co-op customers at all times.
  • Report any potentially harmful equipment or situations to immediate supervisor without delay.
  • Report safety-related accidents and incidents immediately to a manager.
  • Follow all safety policies and procedures.
  • Follow all safe food handling guidelines as required by local, state, and federal laws.
• Other duties as assigned by management including:
  • Assist in inventory counts, storewide cleaning, and other projects as needed.
  • Attend meetings and events as requested.
  • Ensure equipment repair and maintenance is communicated to appropriate personnel and make adjustments until equipment has been improved.
  • Demonstrate support for the cooperative values and principles daily.
  • Perform other duties and work in other departments as assigned.
  • Know and uphold the Employee Handbook consistently.

Physical Job Requirements

The physical requirements described here are those that an employee must meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to use computer keyboard, monitor, mouse, telephone, and various office equipment continuously.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds frequently.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to be present and working in assigned area for up to 3 hours without rest.
• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, climb stairs or ladder.
• Ability to reach above shoulder height occasionally.
• Ability to talk and hear to communicate with customers.
• Finger and hand dexterity with ability to grasp and hold items of different sizes.
• Vision ability - close, distance, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Ability to read register screen and product and shelf labels.

Working Conditions

The work environment described here is representative of the conditions an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Frequent exposure to cold, hot, wet or humid conditions.
• Exposure to fumes, airborne particles, hazardous materials ranging from natural to chemical (store products, cleaning products, scents from working in a public setting).
• Exposure to and potential handling of fresh foods including meats and seafood.
• Handling objects that have been handled by the public.
• May work occasionally in temperature extremes (walk-in freezer, outside warehouse, hot kitchen, etc.).
• Noise level in the store is usually moderate to loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Qualifications

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.

• 1 years' experience in retail purchasing or sales
• Language ability - comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos. Communicate effectively and respectfully in oral or written form to staff and customers of diverse backgrounds. Effectively present information in one-to-one and small group situations to employees and customers.
• Math ability - Add and subtract two-digit numbers. Perform calculation using units of US currency, weight, volume, and distance measurements.
• Reasoning ability - apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Prioritize work tasks, multi-task and maintain focus.
• Computer skills - use email, website, time clock and other work-related programs proficiently.
• Problem solving skills
• Customer service skills - ability to manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Always communicate responsibly. Respond promptly to requests for customer assistance.
• Attendance and punctuality - consistently report to work on time to work scheduled shifts.
• Dependability - respond appropriately to management direction. Commit to department goals and expectations. Complete tasks on time.
• Quality of work - demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness. Look for ways to improve and promote quality. Apply feedback to improve performance. Monitor own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Work quickly and accurately with a sense of urgency. Meet productivity standards. Strive to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Familiarity with or an interest in learning about natural foods.