LOCAL FOOD, LOCAL JOBS

Hiring: Retail Associate (with growth potential)
Organization: Karma Co-op
Location: near Bloor & Bathurst / Bathurst Station, Toronto ON

About Us: Karma Co-op is the city’s only co-operatively-owned (member-owned) grocery store. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2022, so we’ve been doing sustainable food before it was trendy. Since we’re member-owned and a not-for-profit, our operations, product selection, and everything in between reflects our membership. We’re well-known to our community for our organic and locally sourced produce and extensive bulk and zero waste offerings. We’re looking for a special person with shared values to join our small team.

Job Summary:

Our Retail Associates are on the front-line of the co-op, working with Floor Supervisors/Purchasers to create memorable shopper experiences, keeping our shelves stocked, and our store looking beautiful.

Like many small businesses, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges during the pandemic and work really hard to maintain a positive and safe environment for all.

Initially, we’re looking for someone to work Saturdays 2-7:30 pm and Sundays 2:30-7:30 pm consistently, with the flexibility to pick-up last minute (usually weekday evening) shifts as needed. We anticipate more permanent shifts becoming available in the fall (late August/early September) as some of our Retail Associates return to school. These shifts will also likely be weekday evenings. We really appreciate a candidate who has flexible availability and can commit to us longer term.

There are two potential growth opportunities for this position. One possibility would be to continue as a Retail Associate with increased work hours as of the fall. The second opportunity would be to transition to a full-time Floor Supervisor/Purchaser as one of our current Floor Supervisor/ Purchasers is departing at the end of the summer.*

*The Supervisor wage is $19.48/hr (as of June 1st) and includes health benefits (must consistently work 27 hrs/week).

Organizational Status: Retail Associate reports to the Floor Supervisors/Purchasers, who report to Assistant General Manager, and General Manager. We’re a small team so everyone works hand-ons and closely together.

Duties Performed:

• Sharing your love and knowledge of food, community, and co-ops with all store visitors
• Getting those deliveries on the shelf
• Assisting our Produce Purchaser in the produce section
• Checking out our members at the register and updating their accounts as needed
• Spreading the word about co-op to potential members

The ideal candidate will have/be:

• A people person and team player
• A strong communicator
• Detail oriented
• A strong organizer and multitasker who completes their work
• The ability to work in a fast paced environment;
• A skilled problem solver
• Able to lift 20 kilograms
• Interested in learning and developing as a retail food worker

To be considered for the Floor Supervisor/Purchaser position, the ideal candidate must have:

• experience in purchasing and inventory management and be comfortable with the math associated with this work
• experience providing constructive feedback and support to team members
• strong leadership skills

Anticipated start date: ASAP

• Starting wage: $16.50/hr (increasing automatically to $16.91/hr as of June 2023)**
• **Karma Co-op is a unionized work environment. Our staff have wage increases based on the number of hours worked.
• Paid sick time
• A 25% store discount
• Eligible for health benefits (if working 27 hrs or more)

If interested, please send a resume and cover letter (as an attachment), telling us about yourself and why you want to become a part of Karma’s team to manager@karmacoop.org by Friday June 3rd. Please include “APPLICATION FOR RETAIL ASSOCIATE” in the subject line. If you have any questions about the position, please email manager@karmacoop.org .

Please mention you saw this posting at GoodWork.

Please note, we will be receiving applications on a rolling basis. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Karma Co-op is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, ability or age.

Karma Co-operative Inc.
www.karmacoop.org
739 Palmerston Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, M6G 2R3