Store Clerk

Come join us in our brand new kitchen There is one part-time hourly position, approximately 30 - 32 hours per week and must include evening and weekend availability.

Summary of Responsibilities: In cooperation with other team members, responsible for baking and food preparation to the Co-op standards. Includes prepping ingredients and assembly for menu items, following established recipes for packing items for deli cases, deli baked goods, product stocking and rotation, wash dishes and ensure a clean, safe kitchen work environment.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES     

Assists with the daily tasks in the Grocery Department including: stocking grocery shelves and bulk bins, filling freezers and coolers, rotating and receiving product orders.  Additionally, this position answers customer questions and helps customers in their selection or ordering of grocery or wellness items.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Grocery

Stocking:

• Stock and price all assigned product following standards & directions provided by department manager and department buyers. Follow procedural standards pertaining to the handling, storage, and signage of merchandise and supplies. 
• Handle all items as specific to their needs, in order to maintain freshness and quality. Reduce product loss (shrink) by properly rotating stock. 
• Receive orders as required, breaking down pallets and product cases efficiently and with a sense of urgency. Perform a quality check to ensure all products meet standards before accepting from a vendor. Handle supplier credits, as needed.

 Customer Service:

• Assist customers to find desired product and answer questions about product quality and uses Take customer special orders as needed and process them according to the current procedures.
• Update and add to your knowledge on an on-going basis.
• Provide information about merchandise, location of products, in-store promotions, and Member services.
• Stock all customer supplies in an orderly, accessible manner on sales floor.

Marketing and Merchandising:

• Set up demos in an appealing manner, with clear signage. Maintain Health Code safety standards of all demo items.  Proactively sample products to customers, while engaging them in sales conversation. 
• Verify that all product prices and signage are current, accurate and presentable. Take preventative or corrective action to ensure that all barcodes and PLUs ring correctly at register and report any errors to buyers or Floor Supervisors for correction.
• Follow merchandising plan established by department manager. Actively contribute fresh, creative ideas to increase sales and the appeal of product.

Inventory Control:

• Assist with the ordering of product, as assigned.
• Maintain organization of all backstock areas, coolers and product.
• Verify that all cold case and cooler temperatures are within Health Code safety ranges. Ensure cleanliness of cold cases and shelf liners, etc. 
• Understand and perform proper handling of perishable goods.

Other Tasks:

• Perform other tasks assigned by supervisor and assist storewide when needed and/or requested by management.
• Participate in quarterly inventory, as needed

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Front End

Provide Excellent Customer Service

• Create an authentically friendly and welcoming environment by greeting all customers at the registers and acknowledging customers throughout the store.
• Maintain knowledge of store and team policies and expectations, ownership services, cooperative values and principles, merchandise, location of products, and in-store promotions.
• Maintain professionalism, enthusiasm and composure at all times, especially during complicated transactions or when dealing with an unsatisfied or disruptive customer.
• Answer customer questions and make product recommendations based on individual customer needs and lifestyle or direct to appropriate departments/staff as needed.
• Educate customers about and promote ownership, store programs, special offers, events, etc.
• Maintain continuous awareness of customer satisfaction and safety, and seek appropriate support when necessary to meet customer needs and exceed customer expectations.
• Demonstrate professional telephone and intercom skills, calmly multitasking as needed.
• Answer incoming calls in a timely manner and handle/route them appropriately.

Cashiering & Register Transactions  

• Open and close cash tills and registers according to department policies and procedures while maintaining consistent cash accuracy; understand, meet and exceed cashiering variance expectations.
• Complete all register transactions efficiently and quickly by properly keying or scanning products into point of sales, recording payment, providing accurate change and offering a printed receipt and bag.

• • Follow all cash handling procedures.
  • Receive payment and give change accurately. 
  • Avoid common errors related to giving change and voiding transactions.
  • Enter correct departments and correct prices for products.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of available products and product look up numbers (PLUs).
  • Process returns, exchanges, paid-outs and other advanced register transactions with approval from a Lead Floor Clerk, Floor Supervisor, or Floor Manager.

• Adhere to all sales enforced policies and laws (alcohol sales, discount eligibility, ownership, etc).
• Bag groceries and assist with carry-outs as needed.
• Maintain a clean and safe register area.

Store Conditioning, Maintenance & Safety  

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the register area, store front, café area, shopping carts/areas, employee break room, employee restroom, others areas as assigned by Floor Supervisors or the Floor Manager, and assigned locker and workspaces.
• Maintain stocking level of all Front End and general floor supplies.
• When not attending to register duties, face product and clean in all departments.
• Maintain knowledge regarding store safety standards and procedures, and report any issues to the Floor Supervisor, Floor Manager
• Actively participate in store-wide conditioning and maintenance programs.

Contribute to a Positive Work Environment

• Adhere to all policies, guidelines and procedures outlined in the Co-op Employee Handbook and all Front End materials.
• Work in a positive, cooperative and professional manner with all co-workers.
• Actively participate in all store, team and culture building activities.
• Set a positive example for co-workers.

Other Duties  

• Enroll and activate new ownerships on behalf of the ownership services department, and process ownership renewals through the point of sales system.
• Participate in new hire training as assigned.
• Attend and actively participate in all store and team meetings, and scheduled trainings.
• Read all newsletters, memos, resource materials and email communications; respond as needed in a timely manner.
• Regularly check and maintain cleanliness of assigned mailbox.
• Other duties as assigned by the Floor Manager (or a Floor Supervisor on behalf of the Floor Manager)

COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

The seven cooperative principles are guidelines by which all co-ops put their values into practice. All staff are expected to be familiar with and work toward these principles.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training and Information
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
7. Concern for Community

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

        Minimum Education:                                            

• N/A

Minimum Experience:            

• Basic math and calculator skills
  • Prior experience retail experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of inventory control practices preferable.

        Language Skills:

• Ability to speak effectively in English and extend excellent customer service to customers, staff, vendors, and community members.
• Read and interpret documents in English such as operating and procedure manuals and signage.
• Write occasional notes, reports, and/or summaries in English.
• Proper and professional use of the phone system.

        Computer Skills:

• Sufficient computer skills that will allow use, in a proficient manner, all Company-issued software programs, including but not limited to Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel) and Internet navigation.

        Reasoning Ability:

• Skills and logical reasoning, which will provide sound judgment and accuracy when carrying out procedures for training staff and buying for the department.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and pay attention to detail.
• Stay focused and on-task.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Calmly manages difficult or emotional customer situations.

PHYSICAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Typical Working Conditions:

Environment is generally indoors walking or standing on concrete floors and, depending on the department, may involve working in the walk-in refrigerators for a period of time, during which time a coat may be needed. The building temperature is controlled, although it is occasionally necessary to go outside and will be exposed to outdoor temperatures. Work performed includes stocking and merchandising shelves, which includes lifting and repetitive movement.

Equipment Used:

There may be the need to use a box cutter, hand truck, product cart, and step stool, step ladder, 4-wheel stocking carts, and pricing gun to stock and count inventory to determine orders needed.  Depending upon the department, there may be refrigerated or freezer units. Employee may wear protective clothing or gloves as necessary.  Each department has a computer for ordering, receiving, and price checking. 

Essential Physical Tasks:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time. The employee is constantly required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Grocery - must regularly lift and/or move up between 25– 40 pounds, sometimes repetitively.  Front End be able to lift or move up to 20 pounds with an occasional need to lift and/or move between 20 - 50 pounds. There may be the frequent to occasional need to squat or kneel and push or pull weighted cards. There may be the occasional need to climb or to crawl.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

NOTE: Chico Natural Foods Co-op will make every effort to meet a request for disability accommodation. We comply with the ADA and consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants/employees to perform essential functions. Hire may be subject to passing a medical examination, or skills/agility tests. If you require accommodation to participate in our application process, please contact the HR Manager.