New Store Specialty Associate Team Leader - Saint Charles, IL - Opening Early Summer 2025

Whole Foods Market IP. L.P.; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Team Member to support daily operations and team leadership. This role involves assisting in profitability and expense control, while fostering a positive team environment. The ideal candidate will have a growth mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for customer service. You will be responsible for maintaining store layout, achieving sales targets, and mentoring team members. Join a company that values teamwork and encourages professional growth, and be part of a mission to provide exceptional service to customers and colleagues alike.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Flexible Schedule

Paid Time Off

Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• 18+ months retail experience with 6+ months in a supervisory role.
• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Team Leader in daily operations and team development.
• Maintain store layout and product merchandising for optimal sales.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Team Building

Customer Relationship Skills

Decision-Making

Leadership Skills

Mathematical Skills

Product Knowledge

Regulatory Knowledge

Coaching and Mentoring

Growth Mindset

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Email Applications

Job description

Assists the Team Leader in all aspects of daily operations including profitability, expense control, buying, merchandising, labor, regulatory compliance and special projects as assigned. Leads and develops Team Members. All Whole Foods Market Retail jobs require ensuring a positive company image by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members at all times. All positions must be performed in accordance with team and store Standard Operating Procedures. Further, Team Members must be prepared and able to perform the duties inherent in other Team Member job descriptions. All positions must strive to support WFM core values and goals, promote national, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure adherence to all applicable health and safety regulations including Food Safety and regulatory duties required in the department.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains creative store layout and product merchandising.
• Works with Team Leader to achieve sales, purchasing, and labor targets.
• Assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports, and labor.
• Assists team leader in annual sales and expense projections and budget preparation.
• Assists team leader with ordering and inventory management.
• Works with Team Leader to resolve team concerns or issues.
• Functions as point person and departmental person in charge in absence of Team Leader.
• Sets and achieves the highest standards of retail execution.
• Fosters and encourages a positive environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale.
• Maintains awareness of customer flows and needs and directs Team Members as necessary to satisfy and delight customers; responds promptly to customer needs and questions.
• Selects, trains, develops, mentors, motivates, and counsels Team Members in a manner that sustains a high-performance team and minimizes turnover.
• Communicates and maintains Team Member safety and security standards.
• Provides timely, thorough, and thoughtful performance evaluations.
• Consistently communicates and models WFM vision and goals.

Job Skills

• High energy, enthusiastic, and displays an affinity for our products, core values, and company philosophy.
• Extensive knowledge of Specialty products.
• Growth mindset towards greater responsibility and ownership.
• Desire to coach and mentor others for growth.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills.
• Capable of teaching others in a positive and constructive manner.
• Thorough product knowledge.
• Advanced knowledge of regulatory and safety policies and procedures.
• Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability, leadership skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate.
• Proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications.

Experience

• 18+ months retail Team Member experience and 6+ months of supervisory experience.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• Where applicable, TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol) course completion required and must be age 18 years of age or older to serve alcohol.

Note: The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. This document does not reflect all job duties or requirements for every position. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level. Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental or geographic location, and/or needs for the particular position. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position. Completion of certain milestones such as obtaining an advanced degree or certification, time in current position, or developing skills to perform at the higher-level role do not guarantee a promotion.

The wage range for this position is $20.05 - $27.53 Hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers “Whole Benefits