Grocery & Front End Shift Lead

About the role

Forty Acres Fresh Market (FAFM) is an independent, Black woman-owned grocery business located in Chicago. We offer high-quality, fresh food to people across Chicagoland with the goal of restoring healthy food access in every neighborhood.

Responsibilities

• Assume Manager on Duty (MOD) responsibilities for closing shifts (1PM-9PM) four nights a week, including recording final cash drawer counts, verifying all end of day tasks are completed, and ensuring the building is empty and secured prior to leaving.
• Provide exemplary customer service by greeting shoppers, assisting customers with finding items in the store, promoting Forty Acres Fresh Market’s loyalty rewards program (Club Mabel), and ensuring everyone has a pleasant and memorable shopping experience.
• Oversee cash handling procedures, monitor register balances, reconcile cash drawers, and address cashier issues promptly.
• Train and supervise front-end staff on providing excellent customer service, register operations, and store policies. Ensure all front-end staff receive comprehensive training and maintain updated training manuals and materials.
• Aid in perishables inventory management, including tracking expiration dates and inventory levels.
• Maintain a fast and friendly check-out experience by monitoring the flow of customer traffic.
• Track sales, inventory costs, and budgeting goals under the guidance of the Assistant Store Manager.
• Support the Assistant Store Manager during breaks, rushes, security events, and work customer service shifts as needed.
• Ensure efficient operations by stocking and organizing the front end and center store as needed, managing cash register supplies, and coordinating with other departments.
• Emphasize safety protocols, maintain communication across departments in accordance with company Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assist the Assistant Store Manager in evaluating staff performance, providing feedback and coaching, and addressing performance issues.
• Resolve cash register and equipment malfunctions, coordinate maintenance service calls, and ensure smooth interaction between front-end and customer service.

Requirements

• Must be capable of and willing to provide exceptional customer service.
• 1 year of proven experience in supervising, training, and evaluating staff.
• The ability to provide and model exceptional customer service.
• Flexible availability, able to work afternoons and evening shifts (1-9pm), days, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Good computer skills including word, spreadsheet, and database systems.
• Capability to project a mature, friendly, and outgoing image with a positive attitude.
• Experience with cashiering and operating computerized cash register systems.
• Skilled at managing multiple demands and navigating challenging situations with ease.
• Ability to remain composed and calm in high-pressure environments.
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written, including clear instructions, active listening, and maintaining an approachable and fair attitude.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of supervisory grocery/retail experience.
• Current Food Handler’s certificate.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks.
• Must be detail oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups.

Work Environment/ Physical Demand

• Must have the physical ability to stand for extended periods of time, bend, climb, balance, stoop to grasp objects, kneel, crouch, crawl, frequently push/pull up to 75 lbs., frequently lift and/or move loads up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to enter the coolers and freezers thereby being subjected to and withstanding frequent temperature changes for extended periods of time.
• Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff.
• Able to work a flexible schedule with various shifts, including weekends and holidays, as determined by the store/business needs and as required to ensure adequate store staffing, and ability to be reached as needed after hours.
• Must have a reliable source of transportation, as this role requires timeliness for shift start times.

Compensation

$20.00 per hour

Benefits

• Healthcare Reimbursement Plan
• Up to 40 hours paid sick time annually
• Up to 80 hours paid vacation time annually
• 10% in-store employee discount (excludes alcohol and Mabel’s Meals)