Retail Associate - 32 Hours

Now Accepting Applications!  

Blossom Grocery's mission is to provide the residents and visitors of Lopez Island with the best possible foods and household products.  We do this by collaborating with producers and suppliers to meet the unique needs of our place.  Our professional staff connect customers with products in a clean and accessible marketplace.  Our work strengthens and enhances the health and well-being of our customers as well as local and sustainable food economies.  

What Does this Job Entail?

As a small retail grocer in a small community, we depend on our staff members to wear many hats and work together in a fun, engaging, multidisciplinary team environment.  This job entails three major areas of skill and competancies: people, transactions, and inventory. 

• Customer Service: You will put a human face to the business--by fielding questions from customers, directing them to resources within the store, solving practical problems, and otherwise facilitating an exceptional shopping experience to everyone.  This aspect of the job also includes care of the facilities, such as routine cleaning and replenishment of supplies.
• Cashiering: You will execute an accurate, efficient, and friendly exit experience for customers at the checkstand.  You will handle money, troubleshoot returns and complaints, anticipate the needs of waiting customers, and call for additional support from managers and other teammates.  
• Inventory Management: You will shepherd inventory through its in-store lifecycle.  This includes unpacking inventory and supplies upon delivery, stocking product to the shelves, communicating with buyers and managers, identifying problems with deliveries, and disposing of damaged goods.  You will follow all state- and company-mandated food-safety requirements.  

Your work will be guided by a professional and supportive management team using state-of-the-art tools and resources for communications and support.  We provide ongoing training for new tasks and professional development.  We use structured written performance feedback from both managers and peers to provide clear objectives for improvement and advancement.  This is a job that allows you to grow in your strengths, learn from others, and offer your unique perspective and gifts to a receptive and fun team of workers.  

What's the Work Schedule Like?

This position requires working 5- to 8-hour shifts starting as early as 6:00 a.m. and ending as late as 7:30 p.m.  While the momentary needs of the business sometimes disallow it, we strive to provide a consistent and predictable schedule with consectutive days off.  We may require you to work weekends, evenings, and some holidays.  (We are closed for business on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day). 

We offer paid time off. 

You will be part of a supportive team, and we recognized that every team member has passions, interests, and obligations outside of work.  We encourage employees to take full advantage of their paid time off.  We also allow for coordinated shift-swapping among employees, assuming that basic business needs are covered.  Overall, we strive for a good balance between consistent, predictable schedules, coupled with a high level of flexibility to account for employee needs outside of work.  

What Do I Need To Qualify for this Job?

• Residency on Lopez Island, Washington.
• High School Education or Equivalent
• Authorization to Work in the USA
• Direct Work Experience in Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality, Medical, or Similar Industry (preferred)
  
• Ability to speak and write clearly in English
• Ability to handle stressful situations productively
• Ability and Williness To Work Evenings and Weekends as Required
• Knowledge of basic math
• At least 18 years old
• Current Washington State Food Worker Card (may be obtained soon after employment)

What Are the Physical Demands?

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted repeatedly during an 8-hour shift
• Standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, and bending for the duration of an 8-hour shift
• Working in indoor, outdoor, and refrigerated environments.  Temperatures at their extremes can be as low as 0 degrees Farenheit (in the freezer) to 90 degrees Farenheit (outside on a hot day).  (Most work will be in a temperate indoor environment.)
• Ability to safely climb a short ladder
• Ability to safely hold and use small tools including knives.  

What Benefits Can I Expect?

Note: Some benefits may require a waiting period before taking effect.

• Annual Bonus (based on total hours worked since hire date)
  
• Paid Time Off
  
• Parental Leave
  
• Employee Discounts (15% off shelf, wholesale cost on pre-orders)
• Occasional Free Product (samples, lightly damaged goods, etc.)
• A Pleasant and Supportive Work Environment

When Does this Position Start?

We hope to hire and start training by February 2024, but this could change due to our staffing needs and your availability and qualifications.  If you're interested, we encourage you to submit your application soon and start the conversation.  That way, we can get the ball rolling and make a plan that is as mutually beneficial as possible.  

What's the Hiring Process Like?

You can expect to hear from us within seven days of submitting your application on this site.  We may offer one or more phone interviews, in-person interviews, or emailed requests for more information about yourself or your plans.  We aim to keep you informed throughout the process and welcome questions.

For more information, please submit an application online here.  If you experience trouble with the application process, please email us at employment@blossomonlopez.com.