PIC

Community Food Coop; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 25% staff discount

Medical/dental/vision and insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Pay on Demand

Potential year-end bonus

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Person in Charge (PIC) at Community Food Co-op ensures smooth daily operations and top-notch customer service. They handle cashier duties, maintain safety, respond to incidents, and serve as the primary contact for escalated issues when managers are away.

Though not a formal supervisor, the PIC may direct staff to support an efficient, welcoming shopping experience and uphold cooperative values in a union environment.

Qualifications

• Prior cashiering or customer service experience.
• Ability to lead calmly during emergencies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to explain Co-op membership and assist with sign-ups.

Responsibilities

• Deliver friendly, inclusive service to customers.
• Maintain knowledge of store policies and promos.
• Lead shift coverage and guide team productivity.
• Respond to emergencies and incidents when leadership is unavailable.
• Perform cashier duties and handle refunds per protocol.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Emergency response

CPR/First Aid

Money handling

POS experience

Communication

Team coordination

Tools

POS system

Job description

Description

WHO WE ARE

We’re a community-owned natural foods grocery store passionate about high-quality food, sustainability, and the cooperative business model. Our mission is rooted in serving our community while creating a workplace that is inclusive, engaging, and supportive. We strive to set a high standard for employment practices by fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and growth. We’re looking for positive, self-motivated people who take pride in delivering excellent customer service, value the quality of their work, show up reliably for their team, and enjoy working together to make a meaningful impact every day.

Job Title: Person In Charge (PIC)

Reports to: Front End Dept. Managers

Status: Non-Exempt, Union Classification Level 3

POSITION SUMMARY

The Person in Charge (PIC) plays a key role in ensuring smooth daily operations and exceptional customer service at the Community Food Co-op. In addition to performing all regular cashier duties, PICs maintain a safe and secure environment throughout the store, respond to emergencies, customer incidents, and staffing call-outs, and serve as the primary point of contact for escalated customer service issues in the absence of store or department managers. While not a formal supervisor, the PIC may direct staff as needed to support a positive, efficient, and customer-focused shopping experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Service & Co-op Representation

• Deliver friendly, professional, and inclusive service to all customers.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of store promotions, product information, policies, and procedures.
• Use de-escalation techniques to address challenging interactions respectfully.

Shift Leadership & Oversight

• Ensure appropriate front-end coverage, coordinate breaks, and guide team productivity.
• Communicate shift needs and call-outs to appropriate managers.
• Support cashier and curbside operations as needed.
• Act as a go-to resource for staff across all departments.

Safety, Emergency, and Incident Response

• Lead responses to security, safety, and emergency situations in the absence of store leadership.
• Complete accident reports for customer or staff injuries and supervisor reports for disruptive incidents.
• Monitor store appearance and policy adherence; notify appropriate managers when needed.
• Uphold the Co-op’s procedures for addressing shoplifting, drug use, and inappropriate behavior.

Cash Handling & Front-End Operations

• Perform regular cashier duties.
• Follow all cash-handling and refund protocols.
• Approve overrides and refunds as needed, reporting any concerns to management.
• Support onboarding and training of front-end team members.
• Identify and communicate staffing, training, and process improvement needs.

Additional Duties

• Participate in staff meetings and training opportunities.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Prior customer service or cashiering experience required.
• Experience managing customer service issues preferred.
• Ability to remain calm and take leadership in emergencies or escalated situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on inclusivity and professionalism.
• Proficient in basic math and money handling; POS experience preferred.
• Must maintain current CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) certifications (training may be provided).
• Able to explain Co-op membership and assist with sign-ups.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours).
• Regularly lift and carry items weighing 10–40 lbs.
• Perform repetitive motions including keyboarding, scanning, and bagging.
• Push/pull carts and handle product during curbside or customer service duties.
• Occasionally climb ladders and perform light cleaning or tidying tasks.
• Work in a moderate to loud environment with voices, paging systems, phones, and music.

BENEFITS AT THE CO-OP

• Up to 25% staff discount & access to wholesale orders.
• Great medical/dental/vision and supplemental insurance options.
• 401(k) w/match.
• Paid time off.
• Pay on Demand.
• Potential year-end bonus.
• Access to employee assistance program.

UNION AFFILIATION: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 231. Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and working conditions, are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the Community Food Co-op and the union.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The Community Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a The Community Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be supplemented at any time to meet the needs of the Co-op without prior notice. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the Community Food Co-op reserves the right to revise or amend this description at any time.