Wellness Assistant Department Manager

Community Food Coop•Bellingham, WA

15h•$26 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Wellness Assistant Department Manager supports the overall leadership and daily operations of the Wellness Department, which includes Supplements, Body Care, and Mercantile. They assist in overseeing department staff, ensuring strong customer service, managing inventory, maintaining merchandising standards, and supporting sales goals. This position helps ensure the department operates efficiently, meets financial targets, and upholds compliance and safety standards.

Requirements

1+ year of experience in a retail wellness department or similar role (health food store, co-op, or specialty wellness preferred).
Experience with inventory management, ordering, and merchandising.
Strong knowledge of supplements, body care, and natural products.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Ability to lead, train, and support a team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams) and inventory systems.
Ability to stand for extended periods of time, with frequent movement around the store.
Manual dexterity to handle and stock products, operate equipment, and perform other department tasks.
Ability to reach, grasp, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds, both individually and with assistance.
Ability to push, pull, and maneuver carts, pallets, and equipment throughout the department and store.
Must be able to work in varying temperature conditions, including refrigerated and frozen storage areas.

Responsibilities

Support the Wellness Department Manager in overseeing daily operations, including Supplements, Body Care, and Mercantile.
Ensure high standards for product quality, freshness, and merchandising.
Assist in training, coaching, and developing staff to provide excellent customer service.
Support scheduling to ensure proper department coverage while staying within budget.
Act as the department lead when the Wellness Department Manager is unavailable.
Model and encourage exceptional customer service in the department.
Develop and maintain expertise in supplements, body care, and mercantile products.
Train staff to assist customers with product selection, sourcing, and product benefits.
Respond to customer inquiries, concerns, and special requests promptly.
Assist with ordering, receiving, and stocking products to maintain optimal inventory levels.
Ensure accurate pricing, labeling, and shelf placement of all products.
Work with the Wellness Manager to manage inventory turnover and reduce shrink.
Support merchandising efforts, including displays, endcaps, and promotional areas.
Oversee Mercantile product selection, ordering, stocking, and promotional execution.
Help track department sales, margins, and shrink to meet financial goals.
Assist in controlling costs by minimizing waste, monitoring inventory, and optimizing purchasing.
Support promotional planning and in-store marketing initiatives to boost sales.
Ensure proper handling and storage of Wellness and Mercantile products.
Maintain compliance with health and safety regulations related to supplements and body care.
Educate staff on proper labeling, expiration tracking, and product rotation procedures.
Support vendor communication, including ordering, receiving, and resolving discrepancies.
Assist in maintaining strong relationships with local, regional, and national suppliers.
Participate in storewide initiatives, meetings, and events as required.
Provide regular updates to the Wellness Department Manager on department performance.
Promote and uphold the Co-op’s mission, principles, and customer service standards.
Perform other tasks as assigned by the Wellness Department Manager.