Purpose

To drive sales and support the goals of the co-op by ensuring fully stocked shelves while providing the highest standards of customer service. When needed, quickly, accurately and efficiently process register transactions, and bag groceries effectively and in a friendly manner.

Status

• Reports To: Grocery/ Center Store Aisle Manager
• Status: Non-exempt; Full time or Part time
• Hours: 40 hours per week, 5 days per week

Essential Responsibilities and Functions

Customer Experience

• Exceed our customers’ expectations for service and provide a clean, organized, inclusive store environment and store experience for all people, in accordance with the Co-op’s customer service standards.
• Provide outstanding internal and external customer service: consistent, prompt, friendly, courteous and professional.
• Ensure quick response to customer questions and concerns. Maintain communication through the customer comment box and other methods as directed.
• Maintain a calm and friendly attitude with all customers and in all situations, striving to deescalate challenging situations with the support of the store team.
• Inform customers of co-op information, for example new products, specials, educational materials, and upcoming events.
• Understand and communicate the ‘cooperative difference’ and the particulars of membership to shoppers and staff alike.
• Work to advance the mission of the Co-op through outstanding service to everyone we touch every day.

Communications

• Communicate honestly, openly and respectfully with everyone in the organization; ensure that you have been understood.
• Stay informed by consistently reading and responding to all forms of communication from others; emails, time clock messages, texts, logbooks.
• Communicate needs promptly and efficiently.
• Resolve conflicts promptly; ask for assistance as needed.

Department Operations

Center Store (pkg grocery, bulk, wellness, beer/wine, frozen)

• Stock, rotate, front and face all displays and shelves.
• Check product condition and invoice accuracy on all deliveries.
• Coordinate storage of items for return with supervisor.
• Participate in re-sets as requested.
• Process invoices according to established guidelines.
• Properly dispose of un-sellable items.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisory personnel.

Receiving Duties

Delivery Management and Inspection:

• Coordinate with vendors and delivery drivers to schedule and receive product deliveries during stores structured receiving hours.
• Inspect all incoming shipments for quality, quantity, and accuracy against purchase orders and invoices.
• Verify product temperature upon arrival for all perishable goods and document compliance with food safety standards.
• Adequately code all invoices and submit them to the accountant.
• Note and report any discrepancies, damages, or shortages and make clear notation on invoice and file for credits .
• Track and reconcile all credits applied for.

Inventory Control and Documentation:

• Accurately sign for deliveries and manage all associated paperwork (invoices, bills of lading, credit memos).
• Organize and file receiving paperwork for review and record-keeping.
• Assist with inventory counts.

Product Handling and Storage:

• Properly stage and store received products in the designated areas (e.g., dry storage, refrigerated coolers, freezers) following FIFO (First-In, First-Out) principles.
• Break down and condense packaging and bulk items efficiently.
• Ensure all storage areas remain clean, organized, and accessible, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Place replenishment orders as requested by Center Store Department Manager.

Inter-Department Communication:

• Alert relevant department managers and leads (e.g., Produce, Dairy, Grocery, Meat, Bulk, and Deli) immediately upon receipt of their product.
• Communicate any delays, issues, or unusual changes in delivery schedules or product quality to the leadership team.

Equipment and Maintenance:

• Operate necessary equipment (e.g., pallet jacks, hand trucks) safely and responsibly.
• Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the receiving area and dock.
• Direct the work and flow of all center store products: set up stock for department clerks, set daily stocking goals, set and oversee the expected pace of all department clerks.

Personnel

• Adhere to all policy manual contents.
• Wear proper clothing in accordance with the Co-op dress Code during shift, including nametag.
• Coordinate break schedules to support staff while ensuring an excellent customer experience.
• Assist in inventory counts, storewide cleaning, and other projects as needed.
• Attend department meetings and training as requested.
• Participate in evaluations as requested.
  

Sanitation, Safety and Security

• Ensure that department display units, coolers, work areas, storage areas, and sales floor are clean and orderly.
• Use equipment and materials properly in a safe manner that will not lead to injury of self or others.
• Ensure equipment repair and maintenance is communicated to appropriate personnel and adjust until equipment has been improved.
• Protect the safety of self, co-workers, and Co-op customers at all times.
• Report any potentially harmful equipment or situations to co-op management without delay.
• Report safety-related accidents and incidents immediately to co-op management.
• Follow all safety policies and procedures outlined in the Emergency Preparedness Manual and other SOPs as needed.
• Follow all safe food handling guidelines as required by local, state, and federal laws.

General Professionalism

• Model high standard of customer service.
• Uphold all DPFC policies.
• Minimize absences and be punctual.
• Disseminate ideas, proposals and other information in a clear, effective and timely manner.
• Take frequent opportunities to recognize good work.
• Maintain positive relationships with outside professionals.
• Perform other duties and work as assigned.

The qualifications, responsibilities and job duties listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to do. Detroit People’s Food Co-op reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require that employees perform other tasks deemed necessary based on competitive, financial or environmental considerations.

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.
• Frequently performs work standing on cement floors at the cash register.
• 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 function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment
• Good communication and listening skills
• Ability to provide superior customer service
• Attention to detail
• Follow through with delegated tasks
• Basic math skills
• Comfort with technology-register functions, scanning technology
• Remain calm under pressure
• Accept direction willingly