The Wellness Specialist is part of the Retail Team, providing knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive customer service in vitamins, supplements, health, and beauty. We’re looking for someone who believes in the values and principles of a natural foods co-op, is excited to learn about natural foods, wellness, and healthy living, and enjoys helping customers find products that meet their individual needs. This role combines a commitment to customer service with thoughtful product research, product selection, a willingness to learn, and an understanding of the Co-op’s guidelines and goals. The Wellness Specialist works collaboratively with customers, members, vendors, and fellow staff to create a welcoming, positive, and solution-oriented environment and ensure a consistent, quality shopping experience for everyone.

Pay starts at $16.50/hour 

Full-time (35-40 hours)

Non-Exempt

Reports to the Retail Manager  

Full Time Benefits (*some benefits begin after the first 90 days)

• 20% store discount
• 10% over wholesale prices on bulk/special orders
• Medical/Dental/Vision offerings
• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Sick and Paid Time Off Accrual
• Paid Holidays Off (Thanksgiving and Christmas)
• Holiday Pay (New Year's, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day)
• Employee Assistance Program access (free anonymous counseling)
• 401(K) with employer match

Essential Responsibilities and Functions

CUSTOMER SERVICE

1. Provides outstanding and advanced internal and external service.
2. Fulfills daily cleaning tasks, cleanup/upkeep of personal areas, and periodic cleaning.
3. Works with systems to improve customer service, ownership processes, and special ordering. Works with special orders for the department. 
4. Upholds and models Customer Service Commitment.
5. Offers samples, suggestions and product information to customers.
6. Maintains familiarity with all areas of the store in order to best assist customers.
7. Responds to requests from customers to research product availability, price and quality issues. 

PURCHASING & PRICING

1. Works with Retail Manager to ensure strategic and replenishment purchasing for Health and Beauty Aids, Vitamins, Supplements, and assigned areas.
2. Ensures reception of orders and obtains credits following established procedures.
3. Follows trends, does market research and uses SPINS to ensure optimal product mix and pricing.
4. Pulls product, installs signage and follows up with vendors (credits, etc) regarding product recalls.
5. Ensures that unsellable items are recorded and returned or disposed of following established procedures.
6. Communicates needs of Owners and customers to Coordinators and Managers.
7. Works proactively to get items Owners and customers want at competitive prices.
8. Negotiates with suppliers and brokers for favorable pricing, terms, quality and delivery.
9. Develops vendor relationships with local businesses.
10. Maintains accurate pricing for profitability and price image. Ensures accurate costs, margins and data in the Point of Sale (POS) system.
11. Completes periodic inventory counts.

MERCHANDISING & PROMOTIONS

1. Coordinates area floor plan and strategically utilizes end-caps and display areas.
2. Supports periodic category resets according to store wide plans.
3. Maintains attractive displays and accurate shelf/bin tags and sale signs and ensures ordering of sufficient merchandise to stock sets for duration of display.
4. Works with Marketing and Retail Manager to ensure accurate, up-to-date product signage; coordinates departmental sales and sale changeovers.
5. Attends trade shows as assigned; reads industry and trade journals.
6. Visits other stores for price comparison, product and merchandising ideas.
7. Provides product information to customers, staff

DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

1. Works with all levels of Co-op staff in a manner that supports department financial performance; coordinates production and cleaning schedule.
2. Takes training as designed for the position, and suggests and oversees training plans for staff according to role.
3. Keeps accurate records as directed.
4. Manages cash operations at registers or customer service as assigned.
5. Provides outreach regarding the assigned area as planned and coordinated with the Marketing and Outreach Manager.
6. Ensures that department areas (coolers, aisles, shelves, bins and storage areas) are in clean, orderly condition meeting Health Department and customer service standards.
7. Communicates equipment needs to Retail Manager
8. Takes the lead during departmental shifts.

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

1. Attends meetings as assigned.
2. Accountable for departmental and store-wide communication practices, including emails, logs, whiteboards, etc. 
3. Role models and utilizes systems/processes created to streamline efficiencies within the Co-op; accepts changes, and adapts to the changing needs of the business.
4. Maintains correspondence with staff, vendors, customers, and Owners on behalf of the Co-op for department and store in general through email, phone, etc. 
5. Maintains team and departmental information on shared team drives and follows organizational protocol for use of shared calendars, schedules, and other technology.
6. Assists with the growth and development of the Keweenaw Co-op, including problem solving and quality improvement processes.
7. Reviews Wellness operations and recommends changes in, or better utilization of resources.
8. Communicates and coordinates departmental needs with Retail Manager and Coordinators.
9. Adheres to the Staff Agreement.
10. Supports decisions made by Co-op leadership.
11. Reviews financial reports (sales, margin, turns) with Retail Manager. Sets goals and takes corrective action as needed.
12. Strives for continuous improvement.

LEADERSHIP

1. Training grocery staff about specialty wellness products. 
2. Developing and completing wellness checklists. 
3. Completes store checklists regarding state of the store, safety, and cleaning, on a scheduled basis.
4. Role models conflict resolution and safety procedures.
5. Models and works to ensure honest and open lines of communication within and among departments and staff.
6. Models supportive and participative leadership; promotes concepts of team building and empowerment.
7. Communicates in a clear, direct, and respectful manner.
8. Complies with established policies, procedures, customer service standards and guidelines.
9. Models organizational service goals and standards.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Frequently performs work in a retail grocery store.
• Works in temperature extremes (walk-in freezer, frozen or hot parking lot, hot kitchen, etc.).
• Utilizes hand trucks, pallet jacks, grocery carts, box cutters, electronic ordering devices. 
• Utilizes office machines, cash registers, tablets, computers, fax machines, scanners, photocopiers, telephone and intercom systems.
• Utilizes multiple systems of communication and data storage, including, but not limited to, G-Suite, GMail, Google Calendars, Payroll software, etc.
• May come into contact with hazardous materials in relation to cleanliness of the store.
• High sensory environment.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent. 
• At least one year of experience in an area of specialization, particularly in a retail, natural foods, or cooperative environment.
• Firm grasp of margin, pricing and inventory control.
• Willingness and ability to learn to meet the changing requirements of the job.
• Able to regularly work at least one weekend day/week, early morning, and late evening shifts as needed.
• Able to work overnight shifts quarterly for inventory.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university or equivalent related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Training or leadership experience related to grocery or retail environments or cooperatives.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to use computer keyboard, mouse, telephone, and office equipment continuously.
• Ability to lift and carry between 20 and 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, reach above shoulder height, and climb stairs/ladders occasionally.
• Ability to use fine motor skills for typing, grasping, manipulating objects with fingers.
• Ability to write or type reports, and complete checklists in written or digital format.
• Ability to read and interpret small print and alphanumeric product codes.

Required Competencies:

These are characteristics that are required to be eligible for employment.

• Love of Food:  Passionate about food, have an interest in learning about food, and take initiative to learn about food and products the Co-op carries.
• Customer Focus:  Anticipate needs and actively engage customers in a friendly, helpful manner. Focus on shopper needs, be ready to assist always, and go the extra mile with a smile.  Able to answer questions accurately, understands and can communicate ownership, and speaks positively about the Co-op.  Remains calm under pressure.
• Hard Working:  Can be relied upon to complete job duties and work with little or no supervision, meet deadlines as assigned, and commit to high quality work every day.  Follow directives from managers and work efficiently and accurately.  Demonstrate appropriate prioritization, and handle constant distractions by inquiring customers and then refocus on the task at hand.  Shows investment in personal and department performance, and uses feedback for improvement.
• Flexibility/Dependability:  Follow rules concerning shift times and breaks, attendance is on time and consistent, and get shifts covered when needed and according to policy.  Willing to help coworkers/department when needed.  Attend all meetings as scheduled. 
• Communication:  Communicate timely, accurate and thorough information.  Stay up-to-date with communication within the department.
• Team Oriented:  Communicate, cooperate, and work with peers, supervisors, and customers in timely and productive ways.  Work toward overall Co-op goals and department goals and understand your impact on other workers and customers. Treat others respectfully, ask for help, help others, and address problems immediately and directly.
• Professional:  Use appropriate channels to voice concerns, and avoid gossip or negative conversation.  Dress appropriately for the job and maintain personal hygiene.  Keep a positive attitude and handle stress and/or conflict in an appropriate and communicative manner.
• Cleanliness/Safety:  Maintain a clean personal space and pitch in to keep shared spaces clean and organized and always keep safety in mind.  Assist co-workers with safety awareness and communicate unsafe issues and maintenance needs to management immediately.

Preferred Competencies

These are preferred upon hiring, but can and should be developed through coaching.

• Love of natural health wellness products: Passionate about natural health and wellness products,  take initiative to learn  about vitamins, supplements, and health and beauty aids the Co-op carries, and research new products and trends to meet customer needs.  

Disclaimer

This job description is a representative, but not exhaustive list of job functions that an employee may be required to perform. It is not intended as an employee contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances of its business or work environment change, regardless of job title or routine job functions.