General Manager - Hunger Mountain Co-op

Company: Hunger Mountain Co-op

Website:  https://hungermountain.coop

Location: Montpelier, VT

Job Title:  General Manager

Reports To: Council (Board of Directors)

About the company:

Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier, VT, has been in operation since 1972 and continues to grow its healthy impact on the Central Vermont communities – helping customers eat better, strengthening local agriculture, and supporting the community’s development. With over 10,000 members, nearly 400 local vendors, and 180+ employees, Hunger Mountain Co-op is committed to fulfilling its mission to act as a community and environmental steward providing sustainably produced and nutritious products year-round.

Position Summary:

As delegated by the Council, the General Manager (GM) leads the Co-op’s operations, financial planning and management, marketing and community relations, information technology, staff, and membership development. The GM is the “face” of the organization in the community. The GM embodies the values of the Co-op and works through staff to express them consistently with all employees, customers, members, and vendors. The GM acts and directs others within the Co-op’s bylaws, cooperative principles, and within the Council’s policies. The GM leads the Co-op’s Leadership Team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

BOARD (COUNCIL) RELATIONS

• Understand the structure of Policy Governance and work within that structure to develop a positive working relationship with the Council.  Demonstrate openness to questions, suggestions, and constructive comments from the Council.
• Request guidance from the board in the form of proposed policies as needed. Oversee and coordinate implementation of Council policies.
• Provide the Council with financial and operational reports as required.
• Attend most Council meetings.

STRATEGIC PLANNING, GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

• Lead the development of the Co-op’s strategic plan, keeping the Council informed and seeking the necessary approvals.
• Consistent with the strategic plan, develop and operationalize plans for the Co-op's future growth and development.
• Oversee the entire store operations. Ensure that the Co-op optimizes the use of physical assets and facilities, and that the organization is a model for outstanding customer service.
• Ensure effective purchasing, marketing, outreach, advertising, and promotion systems and/or strategies.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to meet and exceed the cooperative’s objectives.
• Ensure that the retail store is clean, attractive, and efficiently operated.

 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Develop the Co-op’s annual store and capital budgets with the management team, manage effectively within their constraints to meet or exceed budget goals. Communicate plan and seek necessary approvals from the Council in a timely manner.
• Provide regular financial reports to the Council and management to allow for appropriate decision making.
• Ensure effective budget development, management, control, and maintenance of all necessary financial records.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements on the Co-op’s behalf and ensure financial commitments are met.
• Oversee cash flow and approve capital disbursements.

HUMAN RESOURCES

•  Supervise, evaluate, and develop the performance of direct reports, completing performance appraisals in a timely manner. Review achievement of performance and service standards, rewarding excellent performance and taking corrective action as needed.
• Develop and maintain positive relations with staff, members, and vendors.
• Oversee the development and implementation of pay and benefit programs.
• Create and develop a work environment which encourages employee involvement in problem-solving and policy development. Be accessible to employees and establish and maintain fair grievance procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations governing wages, hours, working conditions and safety.

 MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Obtain necessary input from shoppers and members about cooperative issues, products, and services to ensure exceptional customer service and satisfaction.
• Ensure and maintain positive member relations.
• Oversee the development of ongoing cooperative and consumer goods-related education programs.
• Oversee the growth of the cooperative’s membership. Ensure that the cooperative offers benefits and enhancements that entice community members to become members.
• Maintain a positive cooperative profile in the local community and cooperative community.

 CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SATISFACTION

• Design, develop and maintain a store that is well-merchandised and customer friendly.
• Evaluate and identify customer service needs.
• Develop necessary employee training to ensure the Co-op provides outstanding customer service to its members, customers, and vendors.
• Provide methods for staff, members, customers, and vendors to offer feedback on the Co-op experience and report key indicators from these methods to the Council and necessary Committee Chairs on a regular basis.

Skills, Abilities and Qualifications:

• Strategic Thinking - identify strategic opportunities and areas for improvement and develop strategies to achieve success.
• Managing People - direct and motivate staff, particularly at management level.
• Financial Management - plan, develop, implement, and monitor budgets and adhere to cost and margins.
• Business Planning and Operations - plan, develop and implement systems to provide for efficient and productive store operations.
• Professional Communication - demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as active listening skills. Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; to author reports, business correspondence, and business plans; to effectively present information and respond to questions from Council members, employees, customers, and public.
• Commitment to Cooperative Structure and Collaboration - work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication are essential.
• Problem Solving - demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills.
• Customer service mindset – demonstrate commitment to excellent customer service.
• Accountability - set, uphold, and manage reasonable expectations from Council, managers, employees, members, and customers and demonstrate follow through on commitments.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of grocery retail or related management experience.
• Knowledge of natural and conventional foods and the food industry highly desirable.
• Experience leading the profitable growth of all or part of an organization.
• Experience as the spokesperson for an organization with a high community profile highly desirable.
• Knowledge and experience with cooperatives, community development, marketing, membership development, local supply networking, and union relations highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Physical Demands:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, reach. etc.  Ability to lift to 20 lbs.

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401k Retirement plan with up to 4% match
• Employee Gain Share program
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid training
• Employee discounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance programs

Gallagher Flynn & Company, LLP

Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP has been retained to conduct this search. While we appreciate all interest in this opportunity, only candidates most closely aligned with our search will be contacted.

Disclaimer: What's listed above is representative of the responsibilities of the position but is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Responsibilities may change during employment at the company's discretion. Gallagher, Flynn and Company and our client do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.