Person in Charge (PIC)

Community Food Coop • Bellingham, WA

5d • $22 - $26

About The Position

The Person in Charge (PIC) helps ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional customer service at the Community Food Co-op. In addition to performing regular cashier duties, the PIC helps maintain a safe and secure store, responds to emergencies, customer incidents, and staffing call-outs, and handles escalated customer service issues when store or department managers are absent. The PIC is not a formal supervisor but may direct staff as needed to support an efficient, positive, and customer-focused shopping experience.

The role represents the Co-op through friendly, inclusive service; helps coordinate front-end coverage and staff breaks; and supports cashier and curbside operations. The PIC serves as a resource for staff throughout the store, follows cash-handling procedures, and may approve overrides and refunds. The position also includes responding to safety and security incidents, documenting injuries or disruptive incidents, and supporting onboarding and training.

This is a non-exempt, Union Classification Level 3 position represented by Teamsters Local 231. Employment terms, including wages, benefits, and working conditions, are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the Community Food Co-op and the union.

Requirements

• Prior customer service or cashiering experience.
• Ability to remain calm and take leadership in emergencies or escalated situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on inclusivity and professionalism.
• Proficiency in basic math and money handling.
• Maintain current CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) certifications; training may be provided.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 8 hours.
• Regularly lift and carry items weighing 10–40 lbs.
• Perform repetitive motions including keyboarding, scanning, and bagging.
• Push and pull carts and handle products during curbside or customer service duties.
• Occasionally climb ladders and perform light cleaning or tidying tasks.
• Work in a moderate to loud environment with voices, paging systems, phones, and music.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing customer service issues.
• POS experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver friendly, professional, and inclusive service to customers.
• Maintain current knowledge of store promotions, product information, policies, and procedures.
• Use de-escalation techniques to address challenging interactions respectfully.
• Ensure appropriate front-end coverage, coordinate breaks, and guide team productivity.
• Communicate shift needs and staffing call-outs to appropriate managers.
• Support cashier and curbside operations as needed.
• Serve as a resource for staff across all departments.
• Lead responses to security, safety, and emergency situations when store leadership is absent.
• Complete accident reports for customer or staff injuries and supervisor reports for disruptive incidents.
• Monitor store appearance and policy adherence, and notify appropriate managers when needed.
• Follow Co-op procedures for addressing shoplifting, drug use, and inappropriate behavior.
• Perform regular cashier duties.
• Follow cash-handling and refund protocols.
• Approve overrides and refunds as needed, and report concerns to management.
• Support onboarding and training of front-end team members.
• Identify and communicate staffing, training, and process improvement needs.
• Participate in staff meetings and training opportunities.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
• Explain Co-op membership and assist customers with sign-ups.

Benefits

• Up to 25% staff discount and access to wholesale orders.
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options.
• 401(k) with match.
• Paid time off.
• Pay on Demand.
• Potential year-end bonus.
• Access to an employee assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed