Direct Store Delivery Representative-Full Time: Cleveland, Ohio

Job Description

Equal Exchange is a fair trade organization and worker-owned co-operative headquartered in West Bridgewater, MA. Founded in 1986, our mission is to create more fair trade relationships between farmers and consumers. We bypass the conventional marketing system by cutting out middlemen and buying directly from farmer co-operatives.

• Full-Time, Non-Exempt position on Worker-Owner track
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm
• Health, dental & vision coverage. Paid sick and vacation time & holidays
• Eligibility for Worker-Ownership
• Reports to: Cleveland Supervising Manager
• Responsible for: Direct store deliveries and merchandising in the Cleveland market. Regional sales and warehouse support as determined by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• An interest in the mission of Equal Exchange
• A desire to learn and contribute to the success of the organization
• Access to reliable transportation to get to and from the warehouse
• Current valid driver's license
• Ability to communicate and problem-solve effectively with customers and team members
• Ability to manage time and responsibilities
• Ability to work as part of a small regional team
• Ability to do extensive lifting is required (up to 70 lbs)
• Attention to detail and accuracy while managing multiple deadlines
• Basic understanding of English

DSD Responsibilities

Delivery/Merchandising/Account Development:

• Merchandise Equal Exchange products and organize & label overflow in backstock areas
• Place and deliver orders
• Fill & clean coffee bins & grinders
• Maintain customer relationships & provide a high level of customer service to accounts
• Safe and timely driving to route locations while ensuring deadlines are met
• Advocate for successful product placement and ensure promotion implementation at the store level
• Communicating with Supervisor and/or Sales Representatives around the 4 P’s

Regional Team Support:

• Receive and unload deliveries and transfers
• Physical and digital inventory management
• Empty and clean coffee bins as needed
• Contributes to a clean and orderly office/shared spaces

Office paperwork & other:

• Process order paperwork & enter account orders in inventory software system within 24 hours of delivery
• Submit hours worked, as well as other personnel records or notices, in a timely manner
• Maintain a clean, orderly delivery vehicle, including routine maintenance schedule (e.g. filling gas tank, changing oil, etc.), and alert supervisor of other van maintenance as needed
• Participate with department teammates to continually improve our practices and systems. Work in a team-based system with Sales, Customer Service, and other co-workers to build an effective and efficient organization.
• Other work to support operations as determined by supervisor

Personnel & Worker Ownership/Fair Trade Development:

• Participate in staff, team, department, and educational meetings
• Understand our producer partners, trading policies, and the Fair Trade movement
• Understand and participate effectively in our worker co-operative model

To Apply

Please send your resume and answers to the following questions by email to Luke Fowler at lfowler@equalexchange.coop

1. Describe your image of a strong DSD (Direct Store Delivery) relationship between a store and Equal Exchange.
2. What is the most important function of a small warehouse?
3. How do Equal Exchange supply chains impact farmers and consumers?

Benefits of Working at Equal Exchange

For worker-owner track positions:

Worker-Ownership

• Profit/Loss Sharing
• Educational Curriculum
• Mentor Program
• Trip to source to visit producer partners (after 2 years)

Insurance

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Compensation Plan
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• $50,000 Life Insurance Policy

Retirement Savings Plan

• 3% Employer Contribution to 401(k), after 1 year

Paid Time Off

• Vacation: Years 1 & 2 = 10 days; Year 3 = 20 days; Years 4+ = increases by 1 day/year to a max of 25 days.
• Sick: 9 days. May be used to care for self, child, partner, parent or co-worker.
• Personal: 2 days.
• Holidays: 9 plus 1 end of year floating day. (MLK, Memorial Day, July 4th, Cape Verdean Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving + Day after, Christmas, New Years Day)

Product Discounts

• Staff discount on all Equal Exchange products for home use
• Free coffee, tea & cocoa (and sometimes chocolate!) at work

Training budget for professional development

Transportation subsidy

• For taking public transit, carpooling, walking, or riding a bike to work