Grocery Store Co-Op Manager

Company: The Carlisle Group (TCG)
Location: Oak Park
Posted on: June 19, 2022

Job Description:

The Carlisle Group is conducting a retained search for the next General Manager of Sugar Beet Food Co-op in Oak Park, IL.Just a short ride on the "L" train from Chicago is a gem of a destination for savvy travelers and history buffs. The unassuming suburban charm of the Village of Oak Park, Illinois, belies its historical significance - it is home to the world's largest number of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures and also is the birthplace of American author Ernest Hemingway. In addition to a wealth of historical interest, Oak Park offers international cuisine, a full events calendar, a walkable downtown and family-oriented attractions. Take the crew to the Brookfield Zoo to see everything from penguins to pythons and polar bears. There are also evening concerts in the summer. Escape to the tropics any time of year - for free - at the Oak Park Conservatory indoor botanical gardens. See native animals and hike in the woods at the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History, which also offers free admission. Enjoy hands-on exhibits and play areas at Wonder Works Children's Museum. Whatever your appetite craves, you'll find it in Oak Park's diverse eateries. A few must-try spots include deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati's, bold Latin fusion at Maya Del Sol, French cuisine at Hemmingway's Bistro, Moroccan and Lebanese fare at Grape Leaves Restaurant, Greek dishes at Papaspiros and updated Italian classics at Cucina Paradiso. May through August, downtown Oak Park's Thursday Night Out offers discounted dining and free concerts.Sugar Beet Food Co-Op was created by a group of neighbors in Oak Park, Illinois who loved the farmers' market and wanted greater access to local and sustainably produced foods. The Co-Op does education events, connects customers and farmers, and is leading the Good Food Movement for Oak Park.Sugar Beet was built with the mission to create a marketplace for local farmers and producers, provide the community convenient access to high-quality food at a fair price as well as establish itself as a hub for skill sharing and learning about the Good Food Movement. Since 2012, the Sugar Beet community has been just that! They have built support through community education, fun events and by providing a gathering place for good food producers to connect with consumers and now have over 2,700 Co-Op owners.The 6300 sq. ft store opened July, 2015 and has sales of almost $5 million of food and associated products. The Co-op is based on democratic and sustainable principles, with a strong commitment to local products, producers and communities.Cooperative businesses are member-owned, democratic institutions. They are controlled by a member-elected Board of Directors and abide by the Seven International Cooperative Principles, which include:

• Voluntary, Open Ownership
• Democratic Owner Control
• Owner Economic Participation
• Autonomy And Independence
• Education, Training And Information
• Cooperation Among Cooperatives
• Concern For The CommunityTheir goods emphasize healthy, locally grown, organic, and fairly traded selections. They are also committed to strengthening the local economy by serving as a market place that uses fair buying and selling practices which support regional growers, vendors and artisans.The PositionThe GM will be capable of leading the store from the top down, maintaining our community-oriented services, and supporting the Co-op's mission. To do so, the GM will coordinate with department heads to develop strategies to best manage staff, department systems, and attract and maintain our strong customer base in this highly competitive market. The GM directly reports to the Board of Directors, and will be capable of preparing and delivering financial reports as well as leading strategic planning discussions around further momentum for the store.Preferred qualifications:
  • Grocery store management experience, preferably co-operative.
  • Demonstrated ability to motivate and develop a cohesive management team and foster stakeholder alignment around a particular vision.
  • Experience managing financial commitments including interpreting and analyzing financial statements.
  • Knowledge of the natural food markets, and/or health product markets
  • Demonstrated ability to create and determine appropriate strategic changes for development and growth in a competitive market.

Keywords: The Carlisle Group (TCG), Oak Park , Grocery Store Co-Op Manager, Hospitality & Tourism , Oak Park, Illinois