SMART Manager Leadership Trainee - Natural Grocers

The SMART Program offers highly motivated good4u Crew members the opportunity to be intensively and comprehensively trained by an Operations and Leadership expert (the SMART Program Manager) in preparation for moving into a Store Manager role in only 9 months. Once admitted to the program, Trainees will first attend a month-long training program at the good4u University in Golden, Colorado.  Trainees will then lead operations in each department of a Natural Grocers store for 1 month per department, with their understanding of operations guided by the Program Manager as well as the Department Managers in their host store. 

The job in a nutshell:

This role will offer you the opportunity be trained on and practice what it takes to successfully manage a Natural Grocers store.  You will learn why we are passionate about our mission and how your role supports our mission as you lead crewmembers in delivering a world class customer experience to every customer and operational excellence.  You will receive hands-on training in each of our departments as well as received one-on-one leadership training and mentorship.

Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.

12/17/2024

Main Ingredients:

• Setting Others Up for Success: During your training, your main objective at each store will be to apply what you have learned and understand what it takes to run a store including what success looks like in each department, giving you the knowledge and perspective to coach your crew.  We believe in the importance of teamwork and winning big!  It takes everyone, performing at a high level to deliver outstanding results.  Along the way, you will receive regular feedback and coaching on how to get better as well as what you are excelling at. 
• Instilling the Importance of Customer Service: One of our biggest differentiators is the customer service our amazing good4u crew members deliver!  All training is conducted with a focus on serving our customer and fulfilling our mission one customer at a time.   Incorporating why we do what we do and the impact if we do not deliver into your training is a must!  Your example and leadership will be key!  Your focus will be to identify opportunities throughout the store to improve the customer experience within the department you are assigned and executing against company standards. 
• Achieving Operational Excellence: Operational Excellence is a necessary component in delivering a world class customer experience.   This role offers training on how to assess the store across all departments including all processes and tasks from A to Z. Critical areas of focus include:  Inventory Management, Shrink Management, Understanding and Achieving Store Financial Targets, Policy Compliance, Execution of Marketing Promotions / Events, Product Merchandising & Signage, Meeting Quality Standards and Safety & Security of our crew and assets.
• Leadership & Professionalism - At Natural Grocers we believe Leadership starts with you! Leadership is about integrity, intent, capabilities, results and a commitment to sincerely caring about your crew. This includes maintaining professional respectful communication , advocating for support of the company’s strategic objectives and 5 Founding Principles, setting a consistent example of respect for both crew members and customers, mentoring department managers to ensure operational excellence, partnering with fellow store leaders to successfully complete the store’s daily objectives, adapting to an ever-changing environment, sharing your abilities as a leadership consciously each and every day.
• Rolling Up Your Sleeves: Can’t be afraid to use a little elbow grease or break a sweat in this role.  You will be trained on all aspects of store operations and will be working with the crew in all departments to include:  Body Care, Dairy / Frozen, Grocery, Produce, Receiving, and Vitamins, giving you the valuable perspective on how each department functions and what it takes to be achieve operation excellence in these areas.  There may even be times where you will be required to perform a little scrubbing, dusting and shining as needed. 
• Don’t Take Off Your Manager Hat – In this role, you should always be wearing your manager hat. Working on the floor and performing tasks with your crew should be viewed as an opportunity to assess the current situation and the level of knowledge the crew has, identify issues that require immediate action and attention, and problem solve and communicate and drive solutions.  
• Getting the Job Done: Full schedule availability is required including evenings and weekends.  Normally 50 hours / week required to complete job tasks.
• Moving on Up:   This position offers insight into the overall perspective of successful store operations and opportunities to inspire and lead others. Successful completion of the program will prepare you for advancement into a Store Manager position if you are willing to relocate to any available open Store Manager position in the organization! A relocation allowance will be provided.  If you are not able to relocate, you will be considered for open Assistant Store Manager positions in your area.  There may be some time between the completion of your training and an open position becoming available.  In these cases, you may be assigned to temporarily cover as a Store Manager or Assistant Store Manager where needed.

Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.

1. Strong leadership skills – ability to inspire others and gain trust and credibility with team members
2. Proven success in one or more Department Manager positions.
3. Minimum 6 months in a Natural Grocers Department Manager position.
4. Ability to work effectively under pressure - staying calm in challenging situations and in all interactions with other employees and customers.
5. Ability to exhibit patience and understanding when working with others and adapt to various learning styles.
6. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
7. Must be self-motivated and capable of working independently.
8. Driven to succeed in meeting all deadlines in a timely manner.
9. Schedule must be flexible and must be willing to work evenings and weekends
10. Demonstrated success in training individuals and groups on various topics.
11. Strong verbal and written communication skills – to provide clear direction and training and manage emails and other inquiries.
12. Staff management experience is a plus.
13. Must have full store hours availability
14. Able to manage changing priorities
15. Proven analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills
16. Excellent customer service skills and a passion for the Natural foods industry.
17. Show interest in natural/organic foods and supplements
18. Proficient in MS Word, Excel and Outlook
19. Ability to temporarily cover at stores outside of their home area for up to 3 months.
20. Recommendation from current Store Manager and Regional Manager

This job description is not an employment contract.  It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities.  The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice.  Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to him/her by their Manager and/or other Home Office managers that may not be listed in this job description

Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:

All Crew Members

• Birthday Bonus Pay 
• Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually) 
• Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
• Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure 
• Paid Nutrition Education 
• good4u Crew Member Discount  
• {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program) 
• Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases  
• Advancement Opportunities and Career Development 
• Health and Wellness Program  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)   
• Employee Referral Program

Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Parental Leave  
• Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance) 
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance  
• Company Paid Life Insurance 
• Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance   
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match  
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)  
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match 

Diversity Statement

At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.

At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.

Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands:

N = Never

O = Occasional; 1-33% of time

F = Frequent; 34-66% of time

C = Constant; 67-100% of time

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
• Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
• Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
• Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
• Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
• Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.

Environmental Requirements:

• Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
• Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.