GENERAL MANAGER - COMMUNITY FOOD LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
hace 21 días
Lansing
Job DescriptionGENERAL MANAGER - COMMUNITY FOOD LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY Organization: Eastside Lansing Food Co-op (ELFCO)Location: Lansing, MI (Allen Place, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St.)Employment Type: Full-time, exemptCompensation: $40,000–$60,000 depending on experience, plus performance-based bonusStart Date: As soon as availableApplication Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis About the OpportunityThe Eastside Lansing Food Co-op (ELFCO) is hiring a General Manager to lead our community-owned grocery store through a period of critical rebuilding. We are not currently financially solvent — and while operations are stable, sales have plateaued and need immediate attention. This is a pivotal role for someone ready to stabilize, strategize, and grow a neighborhood grocery co-op with equity at its core. The General Manager will manage day-to-day operations, develop a motivated staff team, and work with the Board to build ELFCO’s financial and community momentum. ELFCO is more than a store. Our vision is to be a member-owned cooperative rooted in food justice, democratic control, and neighborhood-based economic resilience. We're looking for a leader who shares that vision and can help bring it into reality. Where We Are NowELFCO relaunched in 2022 inside Allen Place, a community health and food hub led by the Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC). We are: • Holding steady in sales, but urgently need growth, • Still building our staffing, marketing, and operations systems, • Located in a space that may eventually require expansion, integration, or relocation, • Store Operations: Purchasing, pricing, inventory, merchandising, vendor relations, store upkeep, • Staff Leadership: Hire, schedule, and supervise a small team; build trust and accountability, • Marketing & Outreach: Relaunch promotions, drive foot traffic, improve signage and visibility, • Finance & Budgeting: Track sales, labor, cash flow, and margin weekly; manage real-time budget and accounts payable; provide regular, clear reports to the Board, • Community Visioning: Work with the Board to clarify ELFCO’s mission, impact, and long-term growth strategy, • ANC Collaboration: Build a strong, reciprocal relationship with the Allen Neighborhood Center and explore shared programming or leadership integration, • A builder and doer — energized by complexity and purpose-driven work, • Experienced in grocery, food systems, or small business management, • Skilled in marketing, merchandising, and customer engagement to grow revenue, • Comfortable managing people, budgets, and strategy in a hands-on setting, • Committed to food access, cooperative values, and economic justice, • 2+ years of management experience in retail grocery or related field, • Experience with hiring, scheduling, and staff development, • Demonstrated ability to manage daily financial operations, including reconciling bank accounts, tracking payables, generating internal reports, and collaborating with external accountants or contract bookkeepers, • Financial accountability is essential. Candidates must be able to manage real-time budgeting and cash flow, interpret financial reports, and either perform or oversee basic bookkeeping functions in collaboration with the Board and any contracted support., • Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings/weekends, as needed., • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work on your feet What We Offer • $40,000–$60,000 salary, depending on experience, • Performance-based bonus tied to agreed-upon benchmarks, • A co-governed store and supportive Board, • Access to national co-op peer networks and resources, • Why are you drawn to this role?, • What skills, experience, or vision would you bring to ELFCO right now?, • What are your salary expectations and any specific needs or constraints you’d like us to consider? Equal Opportunity Statement ELFCO is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and candidates with lived experience navigating food access, economic hardship, or systems change.