Join a purpose-driven organization.

The Big Carrot Community Market is a worker-owned natural food market dedicated to providing healthy, organic, and locally sourced food while fostering community, sustainability, and cooperative values. We are seeking an experienced and collaborative Operations Manager to provide operational leadership and strategic support across our retail stores and food production operations.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the effective day-to-day operation of the organization while supporting long-term strategic initiatives. This role provides leadership across retail operations, finance, human resources, marketing, purchasing, information technology, and food production to ensure operational excellence, financial sustainability, and exceptional customer and employee experiences.

What You'll Do

Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for all retail store locations and food production facilities.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve organization-wide operational policies and standard operating procedures.
• Work collaboratively with Store Managers to improve productivity, operational efficiency, customer service, and team performance.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, including employment standards, occupational health and safety, food safety, and other regulatory requirements.

Financial & Strategic Management

• Manage day-to-day operational budgets, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and monitor annual operating and capital expenditure budgets.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors on strategic planning, organizational priorities, and long-term operational improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while supporting organizational growth and sustainability.

Operations & Logistics

• Oversee logistics, supply chain operations, equipment planning, facility improvements, and vendor relationships.
• Manage capital projects, renovations, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Ensure quality assurance standards are maintained throughout the organization.

Leadership & People Management

• Recruit, coach, mentor, and evaluate managers who report directly to the Operations Manager, while consulting with the Board of Directors on key leadership appointments to ensure alignment with organizational needs and priorities.
• Support leadership development and succession planning across departments.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and accountable workplace culture.
• Work closely with Human Resources on recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and policy implementation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Monitor organizational performance and recommend continuous improvements.
• Maintain regular communication with the Board of Directors, providing operational updates, recommendations, and information to support effective governance and strategic decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who brings a combination of leadership experience, operational expertise, and a collaborative approach.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years of progressive management experience, preferably in retail, grocery, food production, or multi-site operations.
• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and operational planning.
• Knowledge of human resources practices and employment legislation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and business software applications.

Why Join The Big Carrot?

The Big Carrot offers the opportunity to lead a unique, community-focused organization that values sustainability, healthy food, cooperative principles, and employee engagement. You'll work alongside passionate staff and a dedicated Board to help shape the future of one of Toronto's most respected independent natural food retailers.

The Big Carrot is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

Please note only those individuals legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered for employment with the Big Carrot.

Education: Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• retail/grocery operations leadership: 3 years (required)
• HR, budgeting, and financial management: 3 years (required)

Pay: CA$80,000.00-CA$95,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

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Job Summary:

The primary function of the Customer Service Representative / Nutritionist is to provide overall frontline customer care, through clear communication with customers, staff, and department managers. The role requires effectively delivering one-to-one and group information either in a preventative or a service capacity, and to achieve and maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction.

CSR/Cash Responsibilities

• Excellent customer care aptitude in all avenues of customer interaction.
• Research and update customer handout sheets.
• Process customer requests i.e cooking class enrollment, mail outs, nutritional store tours (refer to department training binder.)
• Various cashier duties: keying in or scanning the price of merchandise, receiving payments, bagging productivity
• Receive, stock, and face appliances/department products.
• Follow opening, closing, and cleaning procedures.
• Facilitate and support the roles of the Department Manager and Head Nutritionist.
• Completes all tasks as indicated by Department Manager, Head Nutritionists, and Standards Coordinator as required to fill the needs of the job.
• Identify and offer accessibility customer service assistance to anyone entering the building that has a visible disability. Involves retrieving desired items or providing personal shopping assistance.

Nutritionist Responsibilities

• Researching how the body's functions are affected by nutrient supply, examining the process of nourishment, and the association between diet, disease and health.
• Well-versed in current products, trends, and food issues as well as the store’s active projects and ongoing standards initiatives.
• Investigating the relationship between genes and nutrients, studying how diet affects metabolism.
• Providing health and wellness advice and promoting healthy eating and lifestyle.
• Involvement in outreach projects in collaboration with the PR in the Marketing department.
• Advising on specific diets and dietary needs.
• Educating customers about nutrition.
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team/supporting the work of other healthcare professionals (NDs, Herbalists).
• Host store tours regarding specific and general food related or store topic.
• Responsibilities may include any additional job-related duties as required by the Assistant Store Manager

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• A degree in Holistic Nutrition from an accredited institution is required
• Minimum of 2 years previous customer service experience or working one-on-one with the public is an asset.
• Training, knowledge, and awareness of Canadian organic standards, genetically engineered foods and food security is an asset.
• Teamwork skills demonstrated from past work experience an asset.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and social skills.
• Previous experience working with processing cash, debit and credit transactions an asset
• Must be available for days, evenings, and weekends.

Job Type: Part-time

Education:

• DCS / DEC (required)

Experience:

• Holistic Nutrition: 2 years (required)
• Customer service: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Pay: CA$18.15 per hour

The Big Carrot is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

Please note only those individuals legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered for employment with the Big Carrot.

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Job Summary:

The primary function of the cashier is to provide overall exceptional customer service for the Big Carrot by facilitating a pleasant shopping experience while processing transactions of customer purchases.

Responsibilities:

• Provide excellent customer service by interacting with customers in a friendly, familiar and efficient manner.
• Perform all transactions as accurately as possible, keeping debit and credit receipts neatly placed in the sections provided.
• Ensure manufacturer's coupons are examined and processed accurately.
• Process refunds as per Cash Department best practices.
• Bag groceries neatly and efficiently if required.
• Prior to starting shift ,when possible, check for new products daily (especially in the Produce Department).
• Notify supervisor of any customer complaints and concerns, price discrepancies, and equipment problems and/or tech issues that arise.
• Update lost grocery file as necessary.
• Return product and bottles to designated shelves when required.
• Direct customers to Customer Service for returns, complaints, and other situations that warrant longer explanations unrelated to the cash front.
• Assist other cashiers when free and as needed.
• Arrive for the start of shift on time and ready to work. Remember to give yourself a few minutes to get settled and look over product skus and codes.
• Make sure to follow posted schedules unless otherwise advised.
• Perform closing duties which can vary from trash disposal to general tidy up as directed by a Cash Supervisor.
• Observe the policies and procedures regarding store operations and the health and safety policy.
• All other duties as required by the department manager.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• No previous education required
• Previous experience working with processing cash, debit and credit transactions an asset
• Enjoys working with customers and the public
• Attention to detail
• Remaining attentive, focused, and calm in an often busy environment
• Ability to prioritize workload
• Flexibility of schedule (weekends and evenings)

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Contract length: 3 months

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (required)
• Cashier: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person

Pay: CA$17.60 per hour

The Big Carrot is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

Please note only those individuals legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered for employment with the Big Carrot.

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Job Summary:

The primary function of the Grocery Manager is to manage and supervise the entire Grocery Department staff by overseeing daily department operations and resolving personnel issues. The interim manager will be responsible for budgeting, buying, inventory, and maintaining sales targets of the Grocery Department. 

Responsibilities:

Management Duties:  

• Oversees department staff supervision
• Responsible for implementing department schedule and any adjustments necessary
• Sets the employee break schedule for the department.
• Assigns, delegates and evaluates the work of department employees, ensures opening and closing department procedures are being adhered to
• Oversees the receiving and flow of stock onto the grocery floor
• Ensures that all Grocery equipment (ladders, forklift) is running efficiently and is safe; notifies the Operations Team of equipment malfunction. In conjunction with Supervisor and Receivers
• Attends Managers meetings, regularly confers with Operations Manager on a regular basis regarding the state of the department

Department Buyer and Merchandising Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all department buying of products in the Grocery Department

Daily and Weekly

• Oversees the inventory of stock levels for the Grocery Department as well as all product transfers, and product returns.
• Creates relationships with suppliers to ensure best buying practices
• Has thorough knowledge of products (checks for ingredients) suppliers, sources, and awareness of seasonal fluctuations and changes.
• Is familiar with the competition in the industry and their strategies (both health and conventional)
• Constantly researching and looking for new products to keep up with the growing trends in the industry, as well as demands of the customers. Works closely with Purchaser on this. Collaborative effort. 
• Able to merchandise effectively throughout the department with product displays, end cap displays, and signage

Financial & Forecasting Management:

• Has the ability to read and understand financial statements
• Budgets labour hours in line with sales and productivity targets.
• Study of previous years budget, and takes into consideration department gains and losses that occurred during the previous year.
• Maintains department profitability, making adjustments to the margin when necessary
• Keeps track of monthly sales, makes changes to adjust with regards to ordering and staffing.
• Tracks claims and credits sent up to the office 

Customer Service:

• Offers prompt and polite customer service to all customers of the Grocery Department when on the floor or over the phone.
• Responsible for department customer complaints, and solving customer conflicts when applicable.

Grocery Department General Labour Duties:

• Responsibilities can include assisting customers, coordinating the flow of stock onto the floor, ensures that stock is rotated and dates checked, general stocking of the of grocery department
• Ready to take on any department responsibility that is required during the shift to ensure smooth operation of the Grocery Department 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position involves managing tasks and supervising other store associates in accordance with Big Carrot policies, practices, and procedures and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include:

• Interviewing, hiring and termination of employees with Operations Managers approval
• Oversees the training and orientations of any new staff member
• Review of department staff on an annual basis at the very minimum
• Directing, rewarding, disciplining staff, and resolving complaints
• Creates a positive environment amongst department employees, motivates staff to take responsibility and to make decisions based on experience

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Relative management college level diploma    
• 2-4 years of relevant retail management experience in a grocery setting
• 2-4 years of retail buying experience
• Has the experience and ability to read and understand financial statements  
• Must be available to work opening, mid, and closing shifts, including weekends.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person

Pay: CA$56,500 per year

The Big Carrot is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, let us know in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

Please note only those individuals legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered for employment with the Big Carrot.

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