Careers at TPSS Co-op

HOW TO APPLY FOR ADVERTISED POSITIONS:

• Apply for Cashier by clicking here.
  
  - or -
  
  
• Apply for the General Manager position below.

To Apply for the General Manager position

Please email bcm@tcgrecruit.com with the following in MS Office Word or PDF format:
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Three employment references with full contact information (name, address, phone, email) title and relationship

Please be sure to upload the three pieces in a single document.

Please submit applications as soon as possible for full consideration.

POSITION: GENERAL MANAGER - Full-time

The Takoma Park Silver Spring Cooperative (TPSS Co-op) is seeking a General Manager to lead our vibrant, community- owned cooperative. TPSS Co-op’ mission is to promote healthful living by offering wholesome food, high-quality products, and community resources in a clean, friendly, cooperative grocery store that anyone can own. We’re celebrating our 36th year and have about 10,000 member-owners, over 40 diverse employees and $10 million in annual sales. We’re looking for an experienced manager to ensure that our Co-op continues to grow, thrive and make a positive difference for generations to come.

Nestled in Takoma Park, MD, just outside of Washington, D.C., TPSS Co-op enjoys widespread community support and faces a diversity of opportunities in an increasingly competitive sector. TPSS continuously seeks ways to serve our members and community better while improving our environmental impact.

TPSS Co-op's member-owners elect the Board of Representatives, which governs TPSS Co-op. The Board oversees and delegates the operations to the General Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Co-op. The Board uses the Policy Governance model and directs the General Manager through its policies. These Policies can be found in the TPSS Co-op Policy Register at tpss.coop. The GM engages with the Board and ensures it is updated on operations through regular board meetings and communication.

Job Purpose

The GM leads the TPSS Cooperative so that it achieves the Co-op's Ends Policies. These policies relate to both short- and long-term goals. A summary of these Ends Policies is:

❖ Be a sustainable, financially viable cooperative that benefits the community, maintains cooperative principles, and supports healthful living and environmental stewardship.
❖ Empower members to be involved in and knowledgeable about cooperative ownership.
❖ Offer responsibly produced goods with an emphasis on local and organic foods, at reasonable prices in a welcoming environment.
❖ Foster customer knowledge and informed choice about food and food-related issues.
❖ Be inclusive and accessible to the community, including outreach and local supplier engagement.
❖ Maintain an empowering and positive workplace for all employees.

Responsibilities

The GM oversees the Co-op's day-to-day activities and leads long-term planning. Broad areas of oversight include finance, operations, personnel, marketing, membership and community outreach. The GM is expected to monitor industry trends and customer desires, and ensure the Co-op stays current and competitive. The GM is expected to form strong relationships with community and industry stakeholders and lead proactive, positive external communications to benefit the Co-op and advance its mission.

The Board uses regular, systematic monitoring to evaluate the GM's performance within the Executive Limitations. These include business planning, budgeting, financial management, staffing, customer service, membership, communications and collaboration with the board, and attaining our Co-op's Ends. The GM is expected to identify and report on performance indicators in these areas, along with key activities and developments.

Qualifications

Required

❖ Experience managing a retail grocery store, preferably in the organic/natural sector
❖ Experience developing and managing budgets of at least $5 million (operating, capital, and cash)
❖ In-depth financial statement and key indicators literacy
❖ Experience managing successful marketing and communications efforts
❖ Personal and professional values that align with cooperative principles
❖ Demonstrated ability to make solid financial decisions
❖ Experience in supervising managers and others, including hiring, training and evaluating
❖ Proven ability to build an effective, motivated management team, including appropriate delegation
❖ Understanding of current trends in the natural foods and products industry
❖ Demonstrated ability to monitor and address emerging trends and risks relevant to the sector
❖ Ability to represent TPSS and communicate effectively, professionally and in a positive manner in written and spoken form, including sensitive situations and challenging negotiations
❖ Proven ability to cultivate a positive, team-oriented and empowering work environment
❖ Demonstrated experience leading a diverse staff
❖ Demonstrated ability to listen actively and objectively, and consider ideas from a range of sources
❖ Adept at balancing multiple priorities and managing time
❖ Strong skills in use of Microsoft Office and other computer programs
❖ Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, management, finance or related field

Desired

❖ Bottom-line accountability for a business with annual sales around $10 million or more
❖ Proven ability to develop and implement a vision, including evaluating and determining appropriate strategic changes
❖ Experience as a general manager of a retail food co-op
❖ Experience working with a Board of Directors
❖ Experience overseeing store renovation and/or expansion and managing grant money related to renovation
❖ Ability to work with the local city government.
❖ Proven ability to respond to diverse values expressed by member-owners
❖ Experience working with labor unions

Start Date and Compensation

Position open immediately, start date negotiable. Compensation and benefits are dependent on experience and competitive with similar co-ops and independent natural foods stores.

TPSS Co-op is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).