Sales Associate - ʻĀINA Farm Stand
Title: Sales Associate
Location: Haleʻiwa, Hawaiʻi
Reports to: ʻĀINA Farm Stand Manager and Social Enterprise Director
About the Organization: Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation (KHF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2003 that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaiʻi. KHF’s mission is to provide opportunities that will enhance one's appreciation for and understanding of the environment so that they will be lifelong stewards of the earth. In 2019 KHF acquired 8 acres of land in Haleʻiwa with a vision to establish agricultural, educational, and retail activities that benefit the community and promote local food, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. The property houses the Kōkua Community Center, three mission-aligned businesses (Kōkua General Store, Kōkua Vintage, ʻĀINA Farm Stand), the Kōkua Learning Farm, and the KHF support offices.
Position: The Sales Associate will provide customer experience, retail operations, and marketing support in the ‘ĀINA Farm Stand. The ʻĀINA Farm Stand is one of three sustainable social enterprises that will operate at KHF’s Haleʻiwa home. Sales associates typically specialize at one of the businesses; however, preference will go toward hiring candidates with the willingness and flexibility to work in all areas as needed. The ideal candidate has a passion for local food systems, waste reduction and KHF’s environmental impact mission. They are a friendly, knowledgeable and engaging resource to customers, partners, and vendors, building community, knowledge and interest for a sustainable and low waste lifestyle.
About the ʻĀINA Farm Stand and Backyard Garden: The ʻĀINA Farm Stand will operate as a mission-aligned grocery that shares the bounty of local food and agriculture producers, providing farm-fresh produce from the Kōkua Learning Farm and other local farmers and producers, as well as value-added products, locally grown flowers, and lei. As a gathering place for the community, it will also serve coffee and other prepared foods. The Backyard Garden will be a welcoming outdoor edible and native landscape sanctuary where the community will feel welcomed to relax, be inspired, and learn the joys and skills of backyard food production and composting to lead a more sustainable life. This living outdoor classroom and demonstration space will reinforce learning from other KHF programs and events, supporting participants to implement what they learn at home, school, and work. The ‘ĀINA Farm Stand and Backyard Garden will open in summer of 2024.
Roles and Responsibilities:
People, Culture, and Mission
- Understand local food sourcing, products, vendors, and farmers, as well as KHF’s environmental education programs and impact, and communicate information persuasively to customers as well as KHF staff, volunteers, and supporters.
- Model mission-driven brand promises related to environmental stewardship, local food, and a low-waste lifestyle.
- Connect with customers, using interpersonal skills to give them a meaningful shopping experience integrating opportunities for connection and education around KHF’s mission.
- Champion local and sustainable farmers, food producers, and other food and agriculture business owners.
Customer Experience and Sales
- Build relationships with customers and inform each individual about the storefront’s mission alignment to KHF and its programs.
- Use POS systems to process payments.
- Engage and encourage customers to become paid KHF Members. Process membership sales, benefits, and other promotions accurately and according to KHF and store policy and procedures.
- Meet sales targets and other impact goals.
- Learn customer preferences, find items for customers, and connect customers to new products through education about local food and farmers, seasonal recipes and chefs.
- Communicate an integrated brand presence, centering the ‘ĀINA Farm Stand while speaking to all of the agricultural, educational, and retail work happening through Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation.
- Create a meaningful and inclusive shopping experience integrating local, sustainable, healthy food and KHF’s mission.
- Manage customer relations, and elevate complaints to management as needed.
Business Operations
- Work the storefront and food-service check out. Attend to the daily operations, cleanliness, safety, stocking, sales and customer service execution of the retail storefronts that aligns with KHF’s mission and standards.
- Inspect the storefronts and report all issues that arise.
- Follow all legal, health, and safety guidelines.
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for policies, technology, training, and operations.
- Carry out store administrative tasks as directed by supervisor and others in KHF management.
- Set up grocery, food service, storage & prep areas, coffee/tea, and soft serve facilities, equipment and utensils, under detailed instruction and in accordance with specific area needs. Check food temperatures and/or prepare areas for daily operations. May operate cooking or baking equipment as assigned.
- Convey products and supplies from the storage & prep areas to the grocery and serving site.
- Follow prescribed procedures in setting up, operating, closing down, and cleaning all service, storage and prep areas, including grab and go, soft serve, coffee and tea.
- Prepare or assist in the handling of all food and beverage items.
- Serve food and beverages in accordance with specific instructions.
- Replenish all products, silverware, glassware, dishes, and trays.
- Attend to day-to-day problems and needs concerning equipment and supplies. Detect and ensure disposition of spoiled or unattractive products, defective supplies/equipment, and/or other unusual conditions.
- Clean, wash and maintain work areas, including floors, facilities, service ware, utensils, and equipment. Oversee reusable and upcycling systems. Collect and place garbage and trash in designated containers.
- May provide guidance and training to other employees performing related work.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Inventory and Merchandising
- Delight customers and benefit food producers by managing fresh, local, high-quality inventory levels and product flow
- Maintain high standards of visual merchandising and brand presentation - ensure shelves are fully stocked and attractive, priced correctly, and displayed in a safe manner, with effective educational touchpoints that connect customers to where their food comes from.
- Ensure products are properly displayed before the store opens.
- Organize merchandise and store displays. Restock and tidy as needed.
- Stock the storeroom, keeping it organized and tidy.
- Perform routine inventory counts, run daily reports, and submit information promptly to the ‘ĀINA Farm Stand Manager and/or Social Enterprise Director.
- Ensure items are priced and labeled correctly.
- Assist in unpacking and distribution of items between KHF programs and social enterprises.
- Manage inventory by monitoring shelf stocks, updating POS and Shopify inventory when products arrive, and support bi-annual inventory audits. Alert manager when items are out of stock and need to be reordered.
Event Coordination and Marketing
- Assist ʻĀINA Farm Stand Manager and Communications and Outreach Manager in generating content for social media.
- Boost social media followers, engagement, and sentiment, in line with KHF values.
- Support a wide variety of KHF and ʻĀINA Farm Stand events and vendor pop-ups.
Desired Traits, Skills, and Experience
- The ideal candidate will meet most of the following, with the willingness and ability to learn the rest:
- Food experience, ideally in a small retail food service, barista, or grocery setting, including customer service, inventory management, opening and closing, sales reporting, and loss prevention.
- Experience working with a team to meet shared goals.
- Experience and passion in sustainability, especially in local food and farming
- 1+ years of Hawaiʻi based work or volunteer experience
- Demonstrated commitment to education, intersectional environmentalism, sustainability, justice and growing a healthier future for Hawaiʻi
- Ability to educate customers about local food and a low-waste lifestyle
- Retail experience with a friendly and approachable demeanor
- Barista experience or willingness to learn
- Able to coordinate and build a positive relationship with staff members, volunteers, and vendors
- Able to work independently and in a team
- Highly organized
- Strong math skills
- Well-versed in Apple, Google Workspace, POS systems (e.g. Shopify)
- Attention to detail, including in inventory, displays, and financial transactions
- Punctuality and accountability daily when arriving to work, closing out point-of-sale (POS) system, and running reports
- Outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal abilities
- Beginning level proficiency in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or interest and commitment to learning
- Excellent organizing and leadership skills
- Flexibility in work schedule reflecting the needs and patterns of store hours
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
- Ability to carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds
Hours and Compensation: Positions are 10-20 hours per week starting this summer. Pay starts at $16.50-$20 per hour, depending on skills, experience, and education. Employees receive 20% off Kōkua General Store bulk refill and low-waste lifestyle items and 50% off Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation merchandise. Employees will also receive discounts in the ʻĀINA Farm Stand, discounts TBD. There is the potential for long-term and full time employment. Medical benefits are included for long-term employees working an average of over 20 hours/week.
To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume including three references, with details about your availability to work to [email protected]. Apply by May 31st.