General Manager

GENERAL MANAGER

Job Description

Position Overview

Opened in 2021, The Fredericksburg Food Co-op is a thriving cooperative grocery store focused on local foods, environmental sustainability, our community and operating a financially viable co-op for our owners and region. Since its opening, the Co-op has grown to more than 4,300 members with more than $6 million in annual sales.

The Fredericksburg Food Co-op is seeking a new General Manager (GM) to lead its next phase of sustainable growth and community impact. The GM will manage the Fredericksburg Food Co-op’s operations to meet board-defined goals within board-defined executive limitations, ensuring the Co-op thrives as a community-owned grocery store focused on local foods, natural and organic products, and sustainable practices.

Position Status

Essential Responsibilities & Functions

The primary responsibilities of the General Manager are outlined within the Policy Governance Manual, including achievement of organizational goals, within established executive limitations, specifically including:

Planning

• Coordinate preparation of the business plan with 1-year and 5-year operating, capital, and cash budgets for board approval.
• Develop long-range plans that incorporate the Ends policies defined by the Board and fall within established executive limitations. Ends are a critical component of how the Fredericksburg Food Co-op and many other Co-ops operate. The Ends are written policies that define the results, outcomes or benefits that, as a result of all the work done by the organization should occur.
• Provide input to the board president with organizing board meeting agendas and the board work plan.
• Set measurable objectives for all departments and review department reports with managers periodically.
• Plan and implement changes to store facilities, including budget development and operational implementation.
• Represent the Co-op in all contract negotiations, ensuring adequate legal and expert consultation consistent with policies of the Board.
• Participate in regional and national co-op and industry organizations.
• Lead administrative leadership team meetings.

Finance

• Oversee the bookkeeper for daily accounting and payroll processes.
• In coordination with the bookkeeper and external accountants, ensure preparation of timely and accurate financial statements.
• Report to the Board on the financial performance of the Co-op, providing analyses of current operations and future plans.
• Ensure preparation of pro formas, annual capital, operating, and cash flow budgets (1-year and 5-year) for board approval.
• Monitor deviations from budget, take corrective action, and report to the Board on actions taken.
• Approve capital expenditures within the board-accepted budget.
• Assist the board in negotiating loans, leases, and lead the negotiation of contracts within the scope of the policies and procedures.

Operations

• Proactively ensure compliance with all applicable laws: business licenses, permits, health regulations, labor laws, etc.
• Ensure prompt, friendly, knowledgeable customer service on the part of all staff.
• Work with the operational leadership team to develop store policies and procedures as needed.
• Ensure asset protection, including adequate insurance and the safety and security of the building, equipment, inventory, staff, and customers.
• Ensure cleanliness, safety, and maintenance of the Co-op’s physical plant.
• Oversee potential expansion, remodeling, and major repair and maintenance projects; negotiate with landlord(s) as needed.
• Oversee retail readiness across the Co-op

Marketing & Owner Services

• Provide input on and approve the marketing plan for inclusion in the annual business plan.
• Work with board and/or staff to plan and coordinate Co-op-sponsored community events.
• Work with board and/or staff to implement owner development and involvement in programs and capital share programs.
• Make presentations at owner meetings and communicate with ownership through available forums (newsletter, social media, events, special mailings, etc.).

Human Resources

• In collaboration with the board, ensure development and communication of cost-effective, equitable, and legal personnel policies and practices.
• Hire administrative leadership staff and approve hiring of operational leadership team staff.
• Ensure timely evaluations for management staff based on written job descriptions and performance standards.
• Ensure orientation, training and development for all staff.
• Take disciplinary action as needed, following established policies.
• Administer competitive compensation and benefit programs and approve pay increases for all employees.

Community & Other Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance the Co-op’s relationship with the Fredericksburg community and local businesses.
• Attend annual industry meetings and conferences.
• Represent the Co-op to strategic and industry partners.
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned by the Board.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

• Minimum 5 years of retail food store management experience preferred (General Manager, Store Manager, Operations Manager, or District Manager).
• Commitment to superior customer service and to providing the highest-quality, most convenient shopping experience possible.
• Commitment to learning and innovation to collaboratively improve the Co-Op.
• Bottom-line accountability experience for a business with minimum annual sales volume of at least $5 million.
• Approachability and ability to build coalitions within the business, the wider co-op world, and local communities.
• Strategic planning experience, including the ability to recognize growth opportunities, assess viability, and build alignment for a vision; ability to operationalize plans and ensure financial sustainability.
• Financial acumen, including the ability to interpret, construct, and manage statements and operating budgets.
• Personal and professional values that align with cooperative principles, including a strong work ethic and personal integrity.
• Ability to motivate groups, ensure accountability, and make tough decisions.
• Experience using and integrating new technologies into the business.
• Ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and react appropriately.
• Experience working with the variety of regulatory environments found in the food sector.
• Clear written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.

Physical Job Requirements and Working Conditions

The physical requirements below are those an employee must meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to continuously use a computer keyboard, monitor, mouse, telephone, and various office equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds frequently.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to be present in an assigned work area for up to 3 hours without rest.
• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and climb stairs or a ladder.
• Ability to reach above shoulder height occasionally.
• Ability to talk and hear to communicate with customers.
• Finger and hand dexterity, with the ability to grasp and hold items of different sizes.
• Vision ability — close, distance, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Ability to read register screens and product and shelf labels.
• Comfort level working in conditions customary to a grocery setting.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected]