Front End Manager - NL

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: Front End Manager
Department: Front End
Reports To: Store Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary
Accountable for overall success of Front-End department, including financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions, merchandising, food and work safety, communication, hiring, training and performance management. This is a management position, and 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 product 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 needs and conditions of department.
• Represents company values. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company Speak Up culture.
• Promotes a collaborative team environment through recognition, leading by example and working alongside staff. Demonstrates approachability and fosters open communication. Creates an environment where staff are invested and encouraged to contribute ideas. Demonstrates a pro-active approach in resolving staff issues and conflicts.
• Conserves company resources. Works in a manner consistent with company mission, vision and 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, 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.

Position Responsibilities:

• Manages and provides oversight to all areas of the department. Assesses, prioritizes and delegates tasks and production while also cashiering and bagging customer purchases and performing carry-outs as needed.
• Establishes service expectations and trains staff to deliver an exceptional customer experience in the front end, utilizing company programs / policies.
• Maintains excellent department conditions, including appearance, cleanliness, signage, staffing and service levels.
• Models friendly and attentive customer service, coaches’ staff, recognizes accomplishments and identifies areas of opportunity.
• Handles escalated difficult customer service situations and seeks solutions to delight the customer. Trains and coaches’ staff to do the same.
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of labor, sales and margin goals and factors that influence them. Meets financial goals and schedules department accordingly. Develops and executes a plan when results do not meet expectations without compromising quality and service standards.
• Establishes cash handling, register and return procedures for department and ensures compliance. Assists cashiers with complex returns.
• Ensures department is trained and complies with alcohol sales and other state / local regulations.
• Maintains Front End resource guide and ensures cashier accuracy.
• Ensures that department adheres to company invoice, credit, transfers and inventory procedures.
• Demonstrates and shares a solid knowledge of products in the store and industry trends with a general understanding of culinary terminology, product labelling and common dietary restrictions.
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of labor, sales and margin goals and factors that influence them. Meets labor and margin goals and schedule department accordingly. Develops and executes a plan when results do not meet expectations.
• Coaches department to maintain appropriate, accurate and organized inventory and back stock. Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
• Maintains a working knowledge of department equipment and is able to train staff and troubleshoot errors as needed.
• Leverages resources and labor to maximize efficiency, without compromising quality and service standards.
• Balances administrative tasks with presence on 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, but 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 as necessary.

Customer Service Skills
Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information and assists in locating product throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Demonstrates a solid understanding of supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company expectations and applicable laws. Manages and provides oversight to all areas of the team. Directly manages staff, including review writing, scheduling and providing ongoing coaching, hiring, development and feedback. Assesses, prioritizes and delegates tasks and workflow.

Education and/or Experience

• Previous customer service, food service, retail or grocery experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Front-End Department / prior Front-End management experience required.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Entry to mid-level proficiency with MS Office. Working knowledge with POS, inventory or other retail specific software required.
• Skills to manage financial results, including labor, sales and profit margin.

Language Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Mathematical Skills
Basic to intermediate math and computation skills required.

Reasoning Ability
Skills to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions. Skills to exercise good judgment at all times. Skills to resolve conflicts and analyze a variety of situations to find a solution.

Knowledge of English
This is a customer service driven position. Should have the ability to speak, read and understand English.

Physical Demands
This position works at a Medium level. Required frequently and up to continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Sitting seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders. Continuously required to: lift 1-10 pounds; push/pull 1-10 pounds; use arms, hands and wrists; grasping/squeezing. Frequently required to: lift 11-20 pounds; twist; reach at/above shoulder; reach below shoulder. Occasionally required to: carry 21-50 pounds; push/pull 11-20 pounds; bend/stoop; crouch/squat; reach at/above shoulder.

This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: box knife, baler, scanner, hand truck, POS, conveyer belt, industrial kitchen equipment (i.e. 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 certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

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