Store Director

Who is New Leaf Community Markets?
New Leaf Community Markets opened its doors as a small cooperative in 1985 on the Westside of Santa Cruz. We learned early on, that the well-being of our guests, staff, and community starts with sustainable, locally-produced food. Farm-to-table all the way! We’ve partnered with open-minded producers who care as deeply about our people, the planet, and social justice as we do, from day one.

Our mission is to be a purveyor of good – from offering the best local and natural foods to taking care of our staff, community, and environment. We love what we do, and we know that it’s our passionate staff who make it all possible. We’re committed to taking care of our people by leading the way with progressive employment practices.

Every day, we work to create an atmosphere of openness, caring, trust, and fairness – a place where staff can thrive, and differences are celebrated. As a member of the New Leaf Community Markets team, you can count on an inclusive, friendly environment and a welcoming group of inspired individuals who love people, great food, and being a part of a community gathering place.

Ingredients You’ll Bring to the Table:
You love food and have the ability to create an experience that is beyond the everyday. You have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment. You can connect with people and reach a level of hospitality that exceeds guests’ expectations. You are warm, outgoing, authentically amazing, and want to be inspired, challenged, and proud of where you work.

You embody the spirit of New Leaf Community Market's core values: Community, Integrity, Sustainability, Quality, and Respect; and you are driven by our mission to nourish and sustain our community by using business as a force for change.

What’s on Your Plate:
Job Title: Store Director
Department: Operations
Reports To: Operations Director
FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary
Accountable for overall success of store operations and staff, including financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions, merchandising, food safety, work safety, communication, hiring, training, and performance management. Ensures the store provides an exceptional customer shopping experience, with the highest level of service and product knowledge. This leadership position is responsible for providing leadership in line with company values and promoting a positive and progressive work environment in alignment with our company mission, vision, values, and policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information, and assists in locating products throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Demonstrates ability to manage own time and models a flexible work style. Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on the needs and conditions of the department.
• Represents company values. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers, and vendors, creating a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner, demonstrating the company's Speak Up culture. Responds to feedback to improve performance.
• Conserves company resources. Works consistently with the company's mission, vision, values, and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness and maintains equipment. Informs store/department management of any problems.
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks, and responsibilities.
• Understands and models our company culture. Acts as steward of company resources, mission, vision, and values. Promotes sustainable business practices.

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversees Assistant Store Managers and all department operations. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of all departments, including labor allocation, job responsibilities, inventory management, merchandising, product knowledge, and financial goals.
• Supervises and mentors Assistant Store Managers and Department Managers. Communicates expectations and holds accountable for meeting standards through ongoing feedback, training, and coaching.
• Understands and utilizes reports and data to aid in making sound business decisions. To include, but not limited to, data and reports on financials, inventory, HRIS, SMG, out-of-stocks, price file audits, food, and work safety performance.
• Ensures effective communication systems are established and maintained.
• Oversees effective scheduling and labor allocation to meet business needs and budget.
• Holds Assistant Store Managers and all direct reports accountable for following policies and procedures.
• Promptly addresses and seeks resolution to operational issues.
• Ensures all store committees, including food and work safety, conduct regular meetings and adequately represent the department.
• Promotes a collaborative team environment through recognition, leading by example, and working alongside staff. Demonstrates approachability and fosters open communication throughout the store.
• Evaluates and determines the course of action regarding staff performance. Prepares and delivers corrective actions promptly. Follows appropriate documentation guidelines and consults with HR as needed.
• Prepares and delivers performance reviews to Assistant Store Managers and all direct reports. Ensures that reviews are delivered promptly and adhere to company wage guidelines.
• Plans for and participates in department, store, and company meetings.
• Assists store and department management teams with interviewing and hiring qualified candidates.
• Demonstrates high-level understanding and assists in meeting sales, labor, margin, expense, and contribution goals. Collaborates in the development and execution of a plan when store or department results do not meet expectations. Trains and coaches Assistant Store Managers and all direct reports to develop and apply financial knowledge.
• Ensures that Department Managers adhere to company invoice, credit, and transfer procedures. Coaches managers to maintain appropriate, accurate, organized inventory and back stock.
• Plans for and participates in inventories. Ensures that Department Managers follow inventory procedures and meet accounting department deadlines.
• Maintains high standards for ordering, receiving, rotation, product handling, and production practices to minimize waste. Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
• Leverages resources and labor to maximize efficiency, without compromising quality and service standards.
• Ensures exceptional customer service. Models friendly and attentive customer service, coaches staff, recognizes accomplishments, and identifies areas of opportunity. Seeks customer feedback and uses it to improve the customer shopping experience.
• Maintains excellent store conditions, including appearance, cleanliness, product availability, accurate signage, staffing, and service levels.
• Handles escalated, difficult customer service situations and seeks solutions. Train and coach staff to do the same.
• Collaborates with Department Managers and merchandising teams to develop and execute plans. Holds Department Managers accountable for meeting merchandising standards. Uses merchandising guidelines and sampling programs to promote peak seasonal/ad item/holiday products and create an optimal customer shopping experience.
• Performs regular store walks to maintain merchandising and cleanliness standards. Coaches Assistant Store Managers and Department Managers, and holds them accountable to do the same.
• Keeps current with trends in the industry.
• Balances administrative tasks with presence on the floor.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Still, it constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Leaf Community Markets reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Demonstrates a solid understanding of supervisory responsibilities by meeting company expectations and applicable laws. Manages and provides oversight of the entire store. Directly manages staff, including review writing, scheduling, and providing ongoing coaching, hiring, development, and feedback. Assesses, prioritizes, and delegates tasks and workflow.

Qualifications

• Previous customer service, food service, retail, or grocery experience required.
• A minimum of 5 years of retail management experience is required, with a diverse staff of 25 or more highly preferred.
• Experience in a high-volume retail, grocery, or similar environment is required.
• Previous grocery-specific management experience is highly preferred.
• Previous inventory and financial management experience required.
• Mid-to-high-level proficiency with MS Office is preferred or required. Knowledge of POS, inventory, or other retail-specific software is also preferred or required.
• Skills to manage financial results, including labor, sales, and profit margin.
• A valid Food Handler's Card, Alcohol Server Permit, and ServSafe Certification are required.

Language Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Mathematical Skills
Intermediate to advanced math and computation skills are required.

Reasoning Ability
Reading, understanding, and following through on verbal and written instructions. Skills to exercise sound judgment at all times. Skills to resolve conflicts and analyze various situations to find a solution.

Knowledge of English
Should have the ability to speak, read, and understand English.

Physical Demands
This position works at a Medium level. Required frequently and continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Sitting is seldom required. Occasionally, dependent on location, needed to climb stairs, a step stool, and /or ladders. Continuously required to: lift and carry 1-10 pounds; use arms, hands, and wrists; grasp/squeeze; reach/above shoulder; reach below shoulder. Frequently required to: lift and carry 11-20 pounds; bend/stoop; twist. Occasionally required to: lift and carry 21-50 pounds; push and/or pull 1-40 pounds; crouch/squat.
This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: box knife, baler, scanner, hand truck, POS, conveyer belt, industrial kitchen equipment (e.g., blast chiller, grill, knives/blades, oven, grills, scales, etc.), basic housekeeping / janitorial, and standard office equipment.

Work Environment
Work occurs in a grocery store environment, which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to specific allergens and/or chemicals. By the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local laws, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Travel
Ability to travel to company locations and other off-site locations on occasion.

Why You’ll Love Working at New Leaf Community Markets

• Amazing Benefits Package – Including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k at 25 hours a week.
• Great earning potential with the opportunity for growth within our family of brands
• Paid Parental Leave available
• Lifestyle Scheduling
• Public Transport Benefits
• Paid Community Service Hours
• 30% discount at all New Leaf Community Markets, Bristol Farms, and Lazy Acres Natural Market locations

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