Store Associate

It is Centra Sota Cooperative' vision to improve lives and create a more vibrant future for farmers, families, and communities in Central MN.  We are a people-focused cooperative offering honest and helpful information, innovative products, and exceptional service from a reliable team of experts who care. 

Position Summary:  It is the primary responsibility of the Country Store Associate to sell, distribute and market store products and services. 

Essential Functions: (The responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the following)

• Store inventory, merchandising and stocking
• Practice customer-focused selling, add-on selling, closing and other sales generation skills
• Provide superior customer service and resolve complaints quickly and appropriately
• Know and use all resources necessary to make proper recommendations of products sold
• Introduce new products and programs and detail benefits and related product features
• Assist with updating prices on products and services
• Communicate with appropriate sales staff on prospect opportunities
• Ensure inventory accuracy of incoming products and resolving discrepancies
• Maintain accurate sales records using POS system, invoicing, sales reports, product receipts and payments
• Responsible for cash handling, all opening and closing responsibilities (Varies upon location)
• Help assist in training in new staff with computer skills and product knowledge
• Ensure a clean and orderly facility is maintained at all times
• Answers all incoming phone call and handle all incoming and outgoing mail
• Operate forklift to successfully load and unload store products and fill propane tanks (Varies upon location)

• Provide backup for store staff as needed
• Demonstrate a commitment to doing what's right, a solid work ethic, a strong sense of ownership, a passion for agriculture, and genuine respect for others
• Model and teach safe behavior while enforcing all safety policies
• Observe and enforce all company policies
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements/Qualifications:

• Strong team player with excellent listening and verbal communication skills, inspires trust and respect
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact effectively with staff, customers and the community
• Commitment to excellence and high standards in terms of providing outstanding customer service, problem solving and managing difficult situations
• Ability to remain flexible in a rapidly changing environment
• Resourceful, self-starter with good independent, ethical, decision-making ability
• Excellent organizational skills including detail oriented, multi-tasking, planning, and prioritizing
• Results-oriented, accurate and thorough with a commitment to accountability
• Understands and actively works with basic business concepts (budgets, profit margins and revenue)
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to learn key operational computer programs

• Must Comply with current driver qualification requirements and our Drug and Alcohol Policy

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous retail experience
• Exhibits product knowledge in one or more of the following areas: livestock or equine products, lawn and garden supplies, fencing, pet feeds and supplies or any related knowledge pertaining to our product mix
• Experience with AgVance or similar software

Physical Demands:  The demands described are representative of those to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for long periods of time as well as use hands/fingers to reach or handle, and to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. All vision abilities are required to encompass close-up and distant work. Routine use of a computer and cell phone are required.

Work Environment:  The environment described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to machinery and moving parts, airborne particles including grain dust and hazardous materials or fumes, which will require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The employee is exposed to extreme weather conditions and temperatures.  The noise level in some of the work environments may require the use of hearing protection. While performing the duties of this job inside the store, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions for a store environment with a noise level that is usually low to moderate.

$16-$20/hour