Market Associate or Coordinator (Grocery and Café)

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

401(k) match

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Transit benefits

Cell phone stipend

Job summary

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc. is seeking a Market Associate / Market Coordinator in Washington, DC. The role combines front-line retail and café operations with supervisory duties to ensure a welcoming, safe, and efficient shopping environment.

The Market Associate handles customer service, stocking, and food safety, while the Market Coordinator oversees shifts, inventory, and staff coaching to maintain exceptional service and operational excellence across market and café areas.

Qualifications

• Prior grocery or retail experience preferred.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including weekends.
• Familiarity with DC food safety standards is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Detail-oriented with time management and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist customers to enhance the shopping experience.
• Operate cash registers and process transactions.
• Restock shelves and manage inventory accuracy.
• Coordinate daily café operations and food safety.

Skills

Grocery experience

Retail experience

Customer service

Supervisory

Inventory control

Food safety

Cash handling

Staff training

Communication

Job description

Job Title: Market Associate / Market Coordinator

FLSA Status: Full Time

Reports to: Retail Manager

Work Location: Marion Barry Avenue Market (1303 Marion Barry Avenue SE)

Compensation: Associate: 21.63 - $22.95 per hour / Coordinator $24.04 - $25.50 per hour

Dreaming Out Loud is recruiting for both the Associate and Coordinator positions on a continuous basis, with applications reviewed every 3–4 weeks.

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc.

Dreaming Out Loud’s mission is to create economic opportunities for the DC metro region’s marginalized communities through building a healthy, equitable food system. We are rebuilding urban, community-based food systems through cooperative social enterprise: increasing access to healthy food, improving community health, supporting entrepreneurs and cooperatives from low-income communities, and creating opportunities for at‑risk residents to earn sustainable, family-supporting wages and build wealth. We believe that all communities deserve equal access to fresh, healthy food choices, but that achieving this requires moving beyond the “access” paradigm to a focus on community self‑determination and food sovereignty. Utilizing the food system as a catalyst, we are working to create an integrated pipeline to jobs, economic opportunity, and community wealth-building for our most marginalized communities.

Position Summary

Associate: As a key team member in our community-centered market and café, the Market Associate ensures a welcoming, safe, and efficient shopping experience. This role supports day-to-day retail and café operations by maintaining clean, well-stocked shelves, delivering excellent customer service, and upholding food safety standards.

Coordinator: The Market Coordinator ensures the efficient day-to-day operations of both the market and café, providing leadership and support to frontline staff. This role is responsible for supervising shifts, overseeing inventory, maintaining food safety standards, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and committed to operational excellence, customer service, and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service & Retail Operations

• Greet and assist customers to enhance the overall shopping experience.
• Answer customer inquiries regarding product locations, store policies, and promotions.
• Operate cash registers, process transactions accurately, and issue receipts.
• Provide friendly, responsive service when handling customer orders and feedback.

Store Maintenance & Inventory

• Restock shelves, ensuring items are front facing, properly labeled, and within date.
• Perform regular stock counts and monitor inventory levels.
• Receive, unpack, and verify the accuracy of deliveries and shipments.
• Maintain cleanliness throughout the store including aisles, displays, and checkout areas.
• Rotate stock to ensure freshness and minimize waste.

Café Operations

• Prepare and serve beverages and hot, ready-to-eat meals following standard recipes.
• Take customer orders, process payments, and deliver high-quality service.
• Maintain cleanliness in the café area, including counters, tables, and food equipment.
• Restock supplies such as cups, napkins, condiments, and other essentials.
• Monitor inventory of café ingredients and supplies; assist with basic food prep tasks.
• Open and close café area, including cleaning, restocking, and preparing for next-day operations.

Compliance & Safety

• Follow safety and sanitation standards in both the store and café, including proper food handling.
• Ensure compliance with local food safety regulations and organizational protocols.

In addition to the above, the Market Coordinator is also responsible for the following:

Leadership & Market Oversight

• Lead opening and closing procedures, including securing the premises and preparing for daily operations.
• Supervise and support staff during assigned shifts, assigning tasks, managing break schedules, and ensuring staff coverage during peak hours.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.
• Address staff performance concerns in real time and escalates as needed.
• Document and report daily sales, inventory discrepancies, and operational issues to management.
• Respond to customer inquiries, complaints, and escalations with professionalism and care.
• Track and manage inventory levels, including monitoring expiration dates and rotating stock to minimize waste.
• Oversee daily cash handling procedures and ensure register accuracy.
• Support a culture of accountability, cleanliness, and professionalism.

The duties and responsibilities contained herein are representative of the essential functions of this position. The dynamic nature of our work requires flexibility and our collaborative environment necessitates cross-functional support. Employees are expected to adapt to our ever-evolving organizational and community needs and perform other duties as assigned to contribute to Dreaming Out Loud’s success.

Required Skills And Experience

• Prior grocery or retail experience preferred.
• Prior cooking experience required.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Familiarity with DC food safety and customer service standards is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Attention to detail, time management, and reliability are essential.
• Comfort and experience working and communicating with people from various backgrounds
• Independent and hardworking.
• Dependable.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physically strenuous work including lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, and utilizing ladders and step stools.
• Ability to stand for 4 or more hours.
• Ability to wear a mask, gloves, and other protective wear for 4 or more hours.

In addition to the above, the Market Coordinator is should also have the following:

• 2+ years of retail or food service experience required; prior supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to handle transactions and manage inventory systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Food Handler Certification (or willingness to obtain) preferred.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Holidays)
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Monthly Cell Phone Stipend
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Transit, Parking, and Healthcare
• Transit Assistance through SmartBenefits
• 401(k) match up to 5%
• 100% Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Short and Long-Term Disability

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dreaming Out Loud Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Dreaming Out Loud complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.