FRONT END ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT TEAM LEADER at La Montanita Food Cooperative, Inc – Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Front End Assistant Department Team Leader (ADTL) is responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of the department operations in the absence of and per the direction of the Front End Department Team Leader. The Front End Assistant Department Team Leader (ADTL) is responsible for ensuring an excellent experience for customers in the Front End Area. This customer experience revolves around ensuring the team is providing prompt and accurate transactions, providing in-depth knowledge of products, membership benefits, and consistently providing excellent customer service either in person or on the phone. The Front End ADTL works under the guidance of the Front End DTL working with team members ensuring performance criteria of the department are being meet and exceeded in areas such as transaction accuracy/cash handling, labor budgets, margin, sales goals and team member training. This position upholds management best practices, develops and mentors department team members, adheres to labor and safety guidelines, and ensures compliance with policy and procedures by establishing clear expectations in a manner that upholds the values of La Montañita Food Cooperative.

SOME ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the direction of the Front End DTL, ensures the department operates effectively and efficiently; facilitates day-to-day operation and guarantees performance standards are met and that team members consistently work towards their ideal and peak performance.
• Verifies and reconciles tills for each cashier/clerk shift and reports deposit activity through the point of sale system.
• Prepares and verifies that each starting till has specified levels of coin and currency and provide coin and currency to each cashier as needed throughout the shifts. Makes daily change orders as needed.
• Verifies and maintains cashier/clerk deposit and properly accounts for all cash on hand.
• Collects drops from cashiers/clerks throughout their shifts and documents in the deposit log.
• Handles daily bank deposits and incoming change orders as needed.
• Reconciles and balances the safe for accuracy.
• Inputs weekly department schedules and recommends changes as needed. Reallocates labor as needed to meet operating needs and in a manner that upholds standards. Creates daily break schedule to meet the needs of the Co-op and in a manner that upholds standards.
• Provides authorization for returns, refunds and check approvals and suspended orders for cashiers as needed.
• Supervises work performance and conduct of team members and supports the performance management practices as needed and in accordance with policies, procedures, labor and legal guidelines.
• Models behaviors that support the values, through supportive and participatory leadership, promoting cooperation, team building, and motivating team members to achieve goals.
• Helps create and facilitates trainings for team members that enhance and build upon their skills, knowledge and abilities.
• Ensures new hires are trained appropriately and effectively.
• Supports the security and safety protocols and establishes strong departmental control measures.
• Maintains a working knowledge of products throughout the store to respond to customers to ensure they get the products they want and need.
• Assists in inventory counts, storewide cleaning, and other projects as needed.
• Reinforces safety within the store by complying with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions and notify store management or addressing the concern if appropriate.
• Notifies management of customer or employee accidents.
• Ensures federal, state, local and La Montañita Food Cooperative regulations and standards for cash handling, safety, are being adhered to and met.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & ATTRIBUTES:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ previous Customer service skills (able to complete the full customer service cycle).
• Minimum of two (2) years’ years’ previous experience in food service purchasing, preparation, or merchandising perishable products.
• Knowledge of products, buying, pricing, merchandising, and inventory management.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills.
• Capable of teaching others positively and constructively.
• Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory.
• Food safety certification. If not currently certified, will commit to completing certification within 1 month.
• Demonstrates decision-making ability, leadership skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate.
• Experience with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to adhere and follow safety, regulatory, and wellness guidelines. Safety Conscious and adhering to required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is required.
• Good interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Able to act with integrity, ethically, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Able to deal and adapt to changes in the work environment, industry with a calm professional demeanor.
• Dependable, reliable and self-motivated.
• Able to work with a diverse group of people.
• Strong team player, friendly and patient.
• Excellent ability to prioritize and multi-task with attention to detail.
• Professional appearance and manner.