Z Farm Market Sales Associate at Urban Growers Collective Inc – Chicago Heights, Illinois

Position Summary

Urban Growers Collective seeks a passionate, community-driven Sales Associate to support market operations at the Z Farm Plant Nursery & Farmstand. This is primarily a customer-facing, community-centered farmstand role with some light operations support. On a typical day, most of your time will be spent helping customers, managing sales, and keeping the stand stocked and welcoming.

The ideal candidate is personable, reliable, and committed to promoting local food access. Weekend availability and a valid driver’s license are required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Welcome and support customers with friendly, inclusive service

• Answer questions about produce, plants, and UGC programs in a conversational way

• Operate the register, handle payments, and close out daily sales

• Keep displays stocked, organized, and easy to shop

• Help create a warm, inviting farmstand experience that keeps people coming back

• Maintain a clean, organized market space, including produce areas and coolers

• Ensure products are labeled with accurate pricing and information

• Handle produce and plants according to food safety and quality standards

• Water and care for nursery plants as needed

• Work closely with team members to keep daily operations running smoothly

• Occasionally assist with transporting produce or materials between sites (for those comfortable driving)

• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions

• Represent Urban Growers Collective in a respectful and community-centered way

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

We’re looking for someone who is reliable, community-centered, and enjoys working with people. You don’t need to meet every single qualification to apply.

• Experience working with people in a customer-facing, community, or service-oriented role (retail experience is a plus, but not required)

• Strong communication skills and a friendly, approachable presence

• Ability to stay organized and follow through on tasks in a fast-paced, outdoor environment

• Comfort working both independently and as part of a team

• Willingness to learn and take initiative

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with produce, plants, or in food or retail environments

• Familiarity with point-of-sale systems (like Square) or basic cash handling

• Basic familiarity with tools like Google Workspace

Requirements, Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions:

• REQUIRED: Valid Driver’s License and willingness to drive

• REQUIRED: Able to work weekends

• REQUIRED: Must be able to pass a background check

• Must be able to lift 40-50 pounds

• Frequent bending, lifting and standing for long periods

• Frequent interaction with customers

• Exposure to varying temperature changes when working in produce cooler and greenhouse

• Willingness to follow food safety and cash-handling protocols

Schedule (FIXED)

• Part-time, 18 hours per week.

  • Monday - Friday, off

  • Saturday, 8:00-5:00 (required)

  • Sunday, 8:00-5:00 (required)

Location: 1001 Glenwood Dyer Rd, Chicago Heights, IL 60411