General Manager

Full-time

About the Role:

The Wasatch Food Co-Op (WFC) is poised to become Salt Lake City's long-awaited, full-service cooperative grocery store, dedicated to providing locally sourced products and fostering strong ties with local farmers and artisans. We are seeking a General Manager (GM) who will spearhead this exciting initiative, bringing the store from its final stages of development to full operational success. The GM will lead a team of up to 15 employees, manage all aspects of store operations, and cultivate a vibrant, community-driven environment that serves over 2,000 member-owners plus non-member customers from across the Salt Lake Valley.

As the face of the WFC, the GM will play a critical role in shaping our future, building strong local partnerships with farmers, vendors, and community organizations, ensuring financial health, closely interfacing with the Board of Directors, and aligning operations with cooperative values and principles.

Where you’ll be working:

Our grocery store will be located along the recently redeveloped urban retail corridor, Harvey Milk Boulevard. The Milk Block and the surrounding neighborhood are centrally located and support a kaleidoscope of foodie and artsy establishments. Salt Lake City itself is among the fastest-growing cities in the country, and offers an accessible, vibrant cultural scene brimming with the arts. Our community is rapidly diversifying into a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural center; over 100 languages are fluently spoken in the greater Salt Lake area. You will live and work in one of the most scenic cities in the country with access to world-class skiing, climbing, biking, hiking, and countless other outdoor activities. A place where thousands come to vacation — you’ll just call it home.

A Note on Our Current Status: 

The WFC is in the final, dynamic stages of development as we prepare to open our doors. We are currently working with an Interim General Manager (IGM) who is actively managing pre-opening tasks, meaning our operational status is advancing weekly. Because this work is happening in real-time, the exact stage of development you will step into — and your initial responsibilities — will depend on your hiring date. We are seeking a flexible, hands-on leader who is excited to take ownership from day one, wherever that starting line may be, and carry us forward to full operational success. To facilitate this, our IGM is committed to a structured and comprehensive hand-off and will work closely with you to tailor this transition to your specific background and experience level, ensuring you are fully up to speed.

Some of the things you’ll be doing:

• Store Opening: Lead the Co-op through final organizational stages and into full operation: hiring staff, finalizing physical planning and interior layout decisions, and building out our initial lists of products, local vendors, and suppliers.

• Financial Operations: Oversee the pro-forma, pre-opening, and post-opening operational budgets, vigilantly managing cash flow and reporting on financial performance and budget variances to the Board.

• Strategic Planning: Develop long- and short-term strategic plans in partnership with the Board, ensuring all operations align with the Co-op's Ends Statements and cooperative principles.

• Board Relations: Submit financial and operational reports; advise the Board on risks and opportunities; implement Board policies and maintain alignment with Co-op Ends Statements.

• Operations: Hire, train, and manage staff; ensure product mix meets customer needs; manage inventory and restocking; uphold customer service standards; implement food‑safety SOPs (e.g., cold‑unit temperatures, proper storage); maintain local supplier relationships; and ensure legal compliance.

• Personnel Management: Plan labor in relation to sales (scheduling and hours); build teams; foster staff development; train, communicate, standardize, and sustain continuous improvement, visual management, and waste elimination; ensure a healthy, safe workplace.

• Member & Community Engagement: Maintain an active member/owner recruitment program that draws from a diverse economic and cultural cross-section; promote education, outreach, and food justice initiatives; help build and maintain a cooperative environment, working with the many long-term supporters who have provided their time and financial support to make our Co-op a reality.

• Marketing & Communications: Develop advertising/marketing strategies to increase public awareness alongside sales; communicate updates through newsletters and social media.

What we are seeking:

• Full-service grocery or retail store management experience, grocery preferred

• Demonstrated strong business, financial, and operational expertise

• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and motivate diverse teams

• Proven track record of sales growth in a grocery or retail setting

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

• Commitment to co-op values and local sourcing

• Willingness to address complex issues collaboratively with a governing Co-op Board of Directors, collaborator(s), and staff under the umbrellas of our Ends Statements and Policy Register

• Visionary regarding the Co-op's character, capacity, and future direction

Desirables

• 5 years of grocery management experience

• Experience with startups or co-ops (highly desirable)

• Experience in dealing with small farm producers

• Experience in managing part-time and volunteer workers

• Knowledge or familiarity with Utah’s small- to medium-sized farms

What we offer:

• $100,000 annual salary

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 401 (k) with employer match

• 4 weeks of PTO

• Employee Discounts on Groceries

• Health Savings Account

• Paternity/Maternity leave

• Paid semiannual travel for professional development conferences

Our Interview and Selection Process

• Once you submit your resume and cover letter (required), the initial step will be a screening call with our current Interim General Manager. Please write your cover letter within the resume document itself and send both in the same document. (Indeed does not have a way to accept separate documents)

• If we decide to move forward, the next stage of the process will involve a panel interview with select members of the Board of Directors and member-owners.

• The third stage will involve a site visit, with travel and lodging expenses paid. This will involve several in-person interviews.

• The final step is a full background check, including former employers, credit, and criminal history.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Wasatch Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community.

The job duties, responsibilities, skills, requirements, and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that a General Manager may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require the General Manager to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or the work environment change. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a job-related background check, consistent with applicable law.