The Upper Valley Food Co-op (UVFC) is a community-supported natural foods market which supports the local economy, is committed to sustainability, and enriches lives through education. We are seeking a General Manager to lead our co-op into the future.
With an active membership of 1300, UVFC is committed to providing wholesome and high-quality food and unique products, supporting our local growers and producers, educating consumers about food, nutrition, food safety, and health.
Located in the picturesque town of White River Junction, VT, our community spans the upper Connecticut River valley between NH and VT. Consistently rated one of the most desirable places to live, we are a blend of rural and small urban communities with access to a rich agricultural, artistic, and community-minded tradition. The area includes seven colleges, major medical and manufacturing centers, and easy access to Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; Burlington, VT and Montreal, QC.
Our next leader will be curious, authentic, and visionary, embracing and embodying the cooperative principles and values in their work. We seek someone who leads by example, enjoys connecting with a variety of people, and thrives in a team-oriented environment.
Job Purpose
To lead our cooperative so that it achieves the Ends Policy determined by our Board of Directors, as follows:
Our co-op will be central to a resilient and connected Upper Valley community.
Because of all that we do, people in the Upper Valley will have:
- Access to healthful, affordable food
- A supportive market for local farmers and producers
- Education and resources for sustainable, healthful practices
- A place for community connection
The GM is responsible for the oversight of operations to maintain the financial solvency and community centeredness that our Co-op is known for, while expanding our impact and resilience into the future. The Board uses policy to define the expectations of the General Manager within defined limits of prudence and ethics. The General Manager determines how to implement daily operations.
Key Qualifications include:
- Embraces cooperative structure: Articulates what makes co-ops different and can work successfully within the cooperative structure.
- Building and leading teams: Makes good hiring decisions. Inspires staff, delegates work, and provides performance feedback, including timely coaching and guidance. Has experience managing managers. Creates a climate of trust and encourages information sharing.
- Collaboration: Is comfortable with cooperation and teamwork in groups and open to hearing multiple voices and participating in democratic processes.
- Financial management: Understands financial variables, how to find them, and how to place them in a business context.
- Strategic business planning: Takes vision and strategies and turns them into operational plans that align with the Ends.
- Retail grocery experience: Is familiar enough with how grocery stores operate to meet goals and manage departments. Understands key metrics.
- Self-aware: Has awareness of own work and communication styles, adjusts as needed to successfully work with others. Identifies own needs for additional training and seeks out appropriate venues to learn.
- Models excellent performance: Demonstrates expectations of others through their own actions.
Salary and Benefits:
- $75,000 – $85,000 commensurate with experience
- Employee Discount (20% on in-store purchases)
- Paid Time Off
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Professional Development
See full job description at: https://www.uppervalleyfood.coop/employment
Position will be posted until filled with a desired start date of June 15th. To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to UVFCsearch23@gmail.com.
The Upper Valley Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff.
In 2022 Darnell Adams led our Board in a full day retreat on implicit bias, which had originally been scheduled for 2020, and was delayed by COVID-19. In the interim, the Board did a series of on-line discussions that followed selected readings on institutionalized racism, governmental policies that penalized people of color in housing, lending, and agriculture. Our classroom has been repurposed to allow social distancing for our employees during their breaks, but we hope to restore our community education functions soon, with topics on social justice issues. As a store, our department managers have included in product selection criteria small businesses and co-ops owned by women, people of color, and small cooperatives.