Grocery Operations Lead – Community Co-op

THE COMMUNITY MERCANTILE, INC.; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Company-paid life insurance

401(k) with company match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

The Merc Co+op is a community-owned grocery store in Lawrence, KS seeking a Grocery Manager to lead Front End, Grocery, and Center Store operations and guide a team to deliver an outstanding customer experience. This role is central to upholding our cooperative values and mission.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you’ll empower staff, manage staffing and labor, and drive sales, margins, and efficiency through leadership and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership or management experience.
• Experience leading teams in retail, grocery, hospitality, food service, or a related industry.
• Strong communication, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop department employees and specialists.
• Own department sales, labor, gross margin, and operational performance while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Build an accountable team by setting clear expectations, delegating effectively, and following through on commitments.
• Foster a positive culture of accountability, teamwork, and customer service.
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and labor resources.
• Delegate operational responsibilities and support team success.
• Partner with specialists/leads to ensure departments remain organized, well-stocked, and customer-ready.
• Monitor department performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead multiple projects and priorities while ensuring timely execution.
• Support merchandising, inventory management, and promotional execution.
• Address customer concerns professionally and effectively.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
• Support and uphold The Merc's mission, values, and cooperative principles.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Employee development

Problem-solving

Job description

The Merc Co+op is a community-owned grocery store in Lawrence, KS seeking a Grocery Manager to lead Front End, Grocery, and Center Store operations and guide a team to deliver an outstanding customer experience. This role is central to upholding our cooperative values and mission.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you’ll empower staff, manage staffing and labor, and drive sales, margins, and efficiency through leadership and continuous improvement.