Chief Executive Officer

The Carlisle Group is pleased to be partnering with Twin Cities Co-op Partners to find their next CEO.

Twin Cities Co-op Partners (TCCP) is a food cooperative based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. TCCP began as The Wedge in 1974 to provide the community access to affordable, organic, whole foods. Through evolution, the organization has grown to include two Minneapolis retail locations (Wedge-Lyndale and Wedge-Linden Hills) and a St. Paul distribution facility (Co-op Partners Warehouse). The consolidated organization consists of 313 people, including 33 managers, 30 administrators and staff at each location.

The Wedge – Lyndale

A natural foods grocery store, The Wedge – Lyndale opened initially in 1974, and continues to serve the local community providing access to affordable and high-quality food and products.

The Wedge – Linden Hills

Originally named Linden Hills Co-op, opened in 1976 focusing on positively contributing to the Linden Hills neighborhood by way of creating community and providing pure food at a reasonable price. In 2017 the retail location consolidated with the Wedge to create Twin Cities Co-op Partners.

Co-op Partners Warehouse

Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW) is certified as an organic distributor by the USDA-accredited certification agency MOSA (Midwest Organic Services Association) and is a distributor of organic produce, dairy, soy, and juice servicing retail co-ops, natural food stores, and restaurants in the upper Midwest. They purchase foods from farmers, manufacturers, brokers, other wholesale distributors, and individuals making products. CPW also carries organic milk, cheese, yogurt, soy products, fresh juices, smoothies, and a selection of dry grocery items. Through an innovative cross-dock program, Co-op Partners delivers many products direct from the producer. All products are marketed and sold to locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan.

Mission

The TCCP mission is to Build community by developing a strong local food system. TCCP is committed to the long-term health of the local community. Through partnerships and grants TCCP has built community gardens, supported farmer’s markets, extended local produce to public schools, and supported food justice organizations in the Twin Cities. The co-op has served as a gathering place to nourish bodies and lives.

Co-op Overview

A consumer co-op is a business owned and democratically governed by its owners. That means that unlike a conventional corporation, the purpose isn’t to accumulate profits for investors, but rather to meet the goals and aspirations of the community. Any surplus it generates is reinvested in the business or returned to the owners at the end of the fiscal year.

The cooperative business model has proven successful at blending and meeting value-centric and profit goals. This approach allows a cooperative to make decisions that are healthy for its owners, employees community and farmers and vendors.

TCCP supports and aligns with the International Cooperative Alliance’s 7 Cooperative Principles:

• Voluntary and Open Membership
• Democratic Member Control
• Member Economic Participation
• Autonomy and Independence
• Education, Training and Information
• Cooperation Among Cooperatives
• Concern for Community

Culture

TCCP defines its culture as “TEAM-WE,” a shared set of values and behaviors that collectively create a positive work environment and customer experience.

• Teamwork
• Engagement
• Accountability
• Open Mindedness
• Welcoming
• Empathy

Position Description

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for leading the TCCP organization to achieve its long-range strategic goals. The organization needs to build and support an operating model to deliver 2% net profit consistently and then aspires to grow and expand from there. The CEO will be a strong retail operator and be committed to the co-op mission.

Key Relationships

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivering on organizational performance goals (2% operating income) by actively monitoring, understanding, projecting, and influencing factors that impact results including retail operations and wholesale execution.
• Serving the interests of the members/owners by continuing to advocate for them, providing patronage checks and benefits (by way of having a high-performing organization.)
• Executing the long-range plan by connecting it to the operations, guiding the leadership team to apply it to their day-to-day/setting expectations, monitoring progress, anticipating gaps/issues and acting quickly to get them on track.
• Providing ongoing direction and adapting strategic plans to ensure TCCP is growing and tracking to meet changing needs (industry, customer, member, food trends, technology advancements.)
• Leveraging the Board effectively: Adhering to respective roles, proactively communicating, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the state of the business, taking the lead to identify issues and demonstrate urgency and action in resolution.
• Leading the organizational talent by providing oversight, giving guidance to direct reports, assisting with management of union relationship, setting expectations, monitoring results, holding people accountable, adding new talent when necessary and intentionally supporting their capabilities and development.
• Investing in key relationships (community, other co-ops, union representatives, customers, etc.)
• Advancing the organizational mission of providing quality food to the community and supporting social issues.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

• Consistently deliver 2% pre-tax operating income while investing for growth and rewarding stakeholders.
• Contributing to a strong local food system.
• Delivering delightful customer experiences through trusted curation of the best local and organic products, personalized service, and authentic connection to communities.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Track Record of Financial Performance and Strategy Development

CEO or CEO-ready leader with demonstrated ability to lead a profitable and growing organization, including P&L responsibilities, as well as developing long-range strategy.

Operational Expertise

Proven ability to lead an organization of 300+ employees by setting metrics, planning, and coordinating routines to support organizational goals, improving processes, managing risk, overseeing resource management, and reporting and analyzing performance metrics.

Food/Grocery Experience in a Competitive Environment

Experience in retail, grocery, distribution, or related environments. Preferred experience in natural and organic foods, but not required. Preferred experience in a highly competitive marketplace and familiarity with the Twin Cities market area.

Problem Solving Skills

Accurately diagnoses root causes of issues and correctly identifies appropriate resolution.

Board Experience

A history of successful navigation of Board governance structure and processes and a track record of positive relationship building and effectively leveraging the Board of Directors is ideal.

Excellent People Management

Effectively facilitates the formation of teams by creating a climate of trust and encouraging information sharing. Develops staff to increase their capabilities, co-op performance, and engagement. Makes good hiring decisions. Inspires people and provides timely coaching and guidance. Must be experienced managing top level management employees. Experience leading a diverse and unionized workforce preferred.

Community, Health, and Environmental Leadership

Previous leadership in community relations, specifically in managing owners, health, and environmental missions. Embraces the cooperative business model and thrives in a cooperative and collaborative environment.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Demonstrated ability to work with customers and coworkers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Ability to work with TCCP to create an inclusive environment where all are welcomed. Ensure hiring supports TCCP goals for diversity and inclusion.

Twin Cities Co-op Partners has an ongoing commitment to the principles and practices of diversity and inclusiveness. Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, age, marital status, familial status, veteran status, citizenship, pregnancy, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other status category by applicable law. People with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.