(FT) Produce Plants Specialist

Honest Weight Food Cooperative•Albany, NY

19h•$20

About The Position

Honest Weight Food Co-op Plants Specialist Overview: Support the Plants Manager in operation of the department to meet objectives for sales, margin, and customer service. Lead and support Plants member owner workers in performance of daily tasks. Wage & Status : $20/Hour Full Time, Regular (32 Hours/Week) Flexible schedule including early morning, late evening, and weekend shifts. Hours will be greater during peak season (April August) and less during the off season (September March). This may include work shifts in Produce during the off season, at the discretion of the Produce Manager in consultation with the Plants Manager. Supervisor : Plants Manager with direction from the Produce Manager

Requirements

Demonstrated reliability in attendance and timeliness; must have weekend availability
Ability to follow directions and multi-task
Must be able to work both as a team member and independently
Initiative to be a Leader and to guide others to make priority choices
Ability to project friendly, helpful presence to customers while maintaining a professional demeanor
Familiarity with plant varieties/classifications
Ability to follow written and oral directions
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Organized, with attention to details
Basic arithmetic skills
Familiarity with basic office computer functions including spreadsheets, email, internet
Ability to safely and consistently lift 60 pounds throughout a shift
Ability to work shifts with constant standing throughout work day and frequent kneeling, squatting, bending, reaching
Demonstrated diligence in cleaning
Willingness to get dirty, wet, hot/cold
Flexibility in scheduling, including willingness to exchange shifts with co-workers, willingness to cover additional shifts if needed, and willingness to alter work schedule to meet changing needs of the department
Must possess a valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Experience with computer Point-of-Sale systems a plus

Responsibilities

Oversee the purchasing of cut flowers along with creations of bouquets to maintain a vibrant floral display
Oversee the birdseed, outside soils/straw bales/mulch purchasing and displays
Assist with Menands market runs as needed, driving truck and picking up orders when necessary
Assume buying duties when necessary, including both market plants and houseplants
Review all incoming Plants department invoices in a timely fashion; properly record, code and submit invoices
Work with Plants Manager to update prices and signage for all Plants department products both as staged for sale and in the POS
Work with Plants Manager to design outside store displays as well as front of store displays, paying special attention to seasonality and upcoming holidays
Assist customers with product questions in a prompt, friendly, courteous manner, referring them to other staff when necessary
Offer customers suggestions for product purchases
Help customers place Special Orders
Assist manager in selection and hiring of qualified applicants for seasonal Plants staff
Assist in training of Plants staff and member owner workers
Be the primary scheduler for member owner workers, and aid the Plants Manager on scheduling of staff.
Work with the Plants Manager to identify and resolve work performance problems and offer feedback, both negative and positive, to staff and member owner workers
Report personnel concerns to Plants Manager as necessary
Set and maintain work priorities for staff and member owner workers
Assist with receiving deliveries, including: checking product for quality, verifying counts, helping with unloading as needed, assisting with storage of back stock
Coordinate replenishment and rotation of displays, and daily culling, ensuring that staff are following established stocking priorities
Coordinate prep of product for display, including fresh bouquets
Dispose of/reduce damaged products promptly and with care to composting. Notify Plants Manager of losses.
Keep plants retail areas in clean and orderly condition. This includes, but is not limited to: removing trash, cleaning surfaces, and sweeping as needed
Assist with morning set-up or evening closings
Maintain stocking of floral bouquets
Oversee maintenance and proper plant signage in accordance with the Department of Agriculture
Ensure the weekly houseplant watering schedule, labelling and inventorying needs are covered
Assist in all aspects concerning bouquets: purchasing floral products, creating bouquet prototypes, pricing, and the scheduling of member owner worker bouquet teams
Note and advise Plants Manager of any repairs, replacements, and/or additions needed to maintain equipment and supplies
Consistently practice (and model for others) safe and proper lifting procedures
Be mindful of potential hazards to customers and employees. Correct hazards as they occur
Use all equipment (including box cutters, ladders, and step stools) in accordance with department safety procedures
Attend department and store meetings, as appropriate
Help complete inventories, including counting and calculation
Assist Plants Manager in establishing goals for labor and department
Perform other tasks assigned by supervisor