Wellness Buyer at Feather River Food Cooperative in Portola, CA

Description

Wellness Buyer 2026

STATUS: Part-Time; Hourly; Non-Exempt

PAY RATE LEVEL: Two (2), $19.00 - 22.00

REPORTS TO: Store Manager and Wellness Manager

SUPPORTS: Wellness Department

CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide exceptional customer service as identified in Feather River Food Cooperative Service Standards

Take the initiative to improve knowledge of Feather River Food Cooperatives product line and demonstrate the ability to answer or research customer questions.

Promptly respond to customer inquiries, comments, and complaints in a professional manner, with manager assistance when needed.

Alert your supervisor of issues affecting product quality, service or equipment malfunctions.

Perform other duties as assigned by management.

DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS

Handle replenishment buying for supplements and bodycare via UNFI and Select.

Work in collaboration with the Quincy Wellness Manager to order all other direct buy companies. 

Purchase items following product selection guidelines in accordance with department goals.

Develop and maintain successful working relationships with ordering departments and outside vendors.

Route all invoices to the finance department or follow established procedures.

Check for highest priority stocking needs and stock those items before working on others.

Replenish displays, removing out-of-date stock as needed, and following stocking priorities set and posted by the Wellness Manager or Store Manager.

Organize back stock to minimize loss and out of stocks on the retail floor.

Maintain signs and price stickers reflect the correct item and price, paying special attention to monthly sale items.

Keep storage areas and shelves in clean, orderly condition as specified by the wellness coordinator.

Remove trash promptly, sweep and mop as needed.

Keep department equipment in the assigned area in working order.

Collaborate with the Wellness Manager on all direct buys and shared orders. 

Gain approval for new direct buy companies from the Wellness Manager or General Manager. 

WELLNESS CUSTOMER SERVICE

Be present on the floor to assist customers with wellness questions during busy times or as directed by the Wellness Manager or Store Manager.

Understand and follow the legalities of supplements when assisting customers. Communicate delivery schedules and items out of stock to customers.

Maintain and continually improve knowledge of the uses of vitamins, minerals, and herbal and homeopathic remedies.

Be able to convey the range of products in the department and their location and properties.

MERCHANDISING AND PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

Participate in collaboration with the Wellness Manager in the upkeep of an aesthetically pleasing, engaging, and comfortable shopping experience in the wellness department.

Replenish, rotate displays and follow stocking priorities set and posted by the Wellness or Store Manager.

Dispose of damaged or spoiled goods promptly following established procedures.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Adhere to sales, margin and inventory turn goals and purchasing budget as set by the Wellness Manager, Store Manager or General Manager.

Properly code invoices and submit them in a timely manner.

Follow procedures to ensure proper credit is received for all vendor errors or

compromised products.

PERSONNEL – PERSON IN CHARGE

Provide leadership as the Person in charge to all staff to ensure that customer service and productivity standards are being met.

Open and close the store as required.

Operate the register as needed to support the store.

Count and report register deposits as required.

Work with the management team to communicate and monitor staff performance issues. 

Provide policy reminders, safety instruction, workplace oversight and general support to all staff.

Communications to co-workers are timely, clear, direct, and respectful.

STORE SECURITY AND SAFETY

Observe proper procedures for handling shoplifting, theft, robbery, and inappropriate behavior.

Avoid injury by observing safety precautions.

Follow the proper steps in the event of an injury or an emergency situation.

LEADERSHIP

Lead by personal example and maintain professional standards: model cooperation and promote team building to motivate staff to achieve departmental goals.

Consistently attend department, and all staff meetings.

Follow FRFC procedures and policies as defined in the Employee Handbook.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL JOBS

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Daily Physical Demands include:

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Walk, climb, or balance and stoop.
• Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to team lift up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to converse with employees and customers. Must be able to exchange accurate information while working the store floor and communicating with employees and customers.
• Vision ability requirements include the ability to inspect, identify, observe and assess the situational work environment both close up and at a distance. Utilize color and shape to recognize products.

Scheduling Requirements

The scheduling availability described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. All employees must be available to work weekends, evenings, early mornings, holidays, and high demand seasons. Employees will be provided a recurring base schedule at the time of hire, this will be used to determine the employees employment benefit status. Additionally, employees will be scheduled up to 40 hours per work week as needed to provide store coverage. Employees are subject to adhering to all scheduling, vacation, sick, and attendance related policies not mentioned here. Full disclosure of policies is available upon request.

Work Environment

• Fast paced, physically demanding work environment.
• Occasional job-related travel for training, meetings, and/or events.
• Work near moving mechanical parts (i.e. store equipment, tools, etc.)
• Ability to work in an environment with moderate to loud noises (i.e. equipment and machinery)
• Crowded workspaces. Computer sharing is sometimes required.
• Can involve work in high precarious places (i.e. ladders, ladder work.)
• Ability to work in cold, wet conditions

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in customer service.
• Minimum of one (1) years of experience in wellness.
• Knowledge of natural foods and organic standards.
• Proven ability to handle multiple demands, work under time pressures, and meet deadlines. 
• Strong organizational skills.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Commitment to superior customer service and to providing the highest quality shopping experience possible.
• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.
• Availability to work early mornings, evenings and weekends if needed.
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.
• Proficiency with the use of computers, internet, and applications.
• Demonstrated acceptance of responsibility and accountability.
• Outstanding customer service skills and aptitude, with demonstrated appreciation of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

DISCLAIMER:

The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. All requests from management will be reasonable considering the knowledge and abilities of employees in their job description. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or the work environment changes.