Grocery Team Member at Community Food Co-op in Bellingham, WA

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: Grocery Team Member

Reports to: Grocery Managers

Status: Non-Exempt, Union Classification Level 1

Shifts: Part-time. Full-time during summer as needed

POSITION SUMMARY

Grocery Team Members at the Community Food Co-op play a vital role in ensuring our stores are well-stocked, clean, and welcoming for shoppers. This position supports either the day team, which focuses on stocking product, conditioning shelves, and providing direct customer service, or the night crew, which concentrates on receiving deliveries, stocking product, and preparing the store for the next day’s business. Regardless of shift, all team members uphold high standards of merchandising, cleanliness, and internal and external customer service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Service & Merchandising

• Deliver friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable service to all shoppers and staff.
• Maintain awareness of current promotions and advertisements.
• Ensure products are fronted, rotated, and faced according to Co-op standards.
• Assist customers with product questions and location and offer recommendations.

Stocking & Receiving

• Receive deliveries and verify invoice accuracy.
• Stock shelves efficiently and according to department priorities and planograms.
• Maintain clean and organized back-stock areas.
• Assist with or perform ordering duties as assigned by managers.
• Stage, stock, and condition the store as appropriate to the shift.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Process invoices, update pricing files, and separate special orders as needed.
• Ensure proper labeling, signage, and price accuracy on all products.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in the department, storage areas, and workstations.
• Use required equipment (e.g., pallet jacks, box cutters, ladders, etc.) safely and correctly.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support team and store needs.

Requirements

• Valid Washington State Food Worker Card (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• May be required to obtain forklift certification to operate a forklift or other material handling equipment.
• Ability to provide friendly, face-to-face customer service in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Basic understanding of food safety principles and product rotation, including First In, First Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
• Interest in and ability to gain knowledge of natural and organic grocery products.
• Attention to detail with strong multitasking and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team with a positive, solution-oriented attitude.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in environments with moderate to loud noise levels, including paging systems, telephones, voices, music, and machinery.
• Ability to perform physical tasks including standing and walking for extended periods (up to 8 hours), frequent bending, twisting, kneeling, reaching above shoulders and below knees, and repetitive hand and wrist movements.
• Regularly lift, carry, and move products up to 60 pounds; push and pull carts and heavy loads.
• Comfortable working at heights using ladders or step stools.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to a range of temperatures:
• Freezers (below 32°F),
• Coolers (32–40°F),
• Dry storage or loading zones (above 90°F).
• Tolerate exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals.
• Safely and effectively operate all equipment required for the role, which may include pallet jacks, forklifts, balers, box cutters, ladders, and other tools.

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 OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: 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.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the Co-op, even if doing so requires actions or responsibilities not listed in the above job description. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned which are not considered essential and may not be listed here.