The document discusses attracting and hiring a general manager, which is described as the most important decision a startup food co-op board will make. It recommends boards start the lengthy hiring process, which can take 9+ months, as early as possible, ideally a year before the targeted store opening. The general manager hiring process involves creating a search committee, writing a job description, advertising the position, interviewing candidates, and making a job offer. The document provides tips for boards on their role in the process and creating an environment that will attract a strong general manager.

1. Attracting & Hiring
Your First
General Manager
NFCA NE Start-up Day
May 7, 2016
Bonnie Hudspeth
Michael Faber

2. Overview
• Intro
• GM Hiring Process & Roles
• Be a Good Board
• Making the Transition
• Attracting a Dynamo GM
• Incoming GM’s Perspective & First Jobs
• Lessons Learned
• Questions?

3. Why is it So Important?
• The fate of your co-op
• “Million dollar role”
• Success/Failure of Co-op in the first 3 years
• Find someone who will stay with the co-op

4. When Should You Start?
• Yesterday!
• Hiring process can take 9 + months
• 3 mos. committee forming to advertising
• 2 - 3 mos. advertising
• 1 mos. interview process
• 3 mos. GM candidate needs to give notice
• Start during Stage 2b
• Start-date usually happens when most of the co-op
financing is committed or in place
• General Manager should be in place 1 year before
projected opening

5. GM Hiring Process Overview
• Create GM Search Committee
• Identify Resources & Support Needed
• Make a Budget & Figure out Expertise
• Create Job Description & Qualifications
• Post Position on Website, Craigslist, etc.
• Create Interview & Selection Process
• Determine Compensation Package
• Review Candidate Material
• Schedule Interviews
• Conduct Interviews
• Make Job Offer
• GM Orientation

6. Role of the Board
• Put together & Oversee GM Search Committee
• Approve budget for GM search
• Preliminary Job description
• Set budget for GM compensation: give GM Search
Committee parameters based on pro-forma
• Interview finalists
• Ultimately, approve hire
Resource: http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/doc/gm-success-profile

7. Role of the Search Committee
• Who? At least one Board member, HR person, business, etc.
• Committee Chair: Organized & Timely (a board member)
• Need Committee members who can commit serious time
Duties:
1. Create & Manage GM Hire timeline
2. Interview questions & advertise position
3. Keep everyone informed: communicate w/Board & Members
4. Screen candidates: 1st round of interviews, narrow pool, and offer
slate to Board (minimum of 2 candidates)
5. Work with Consultant on hiring process

8. • 
Budget
Thanks to Melanie Reid,
CDS Consulting Co-op
for sharing this!
Contact:
MelanieReid@cdsconsulting.coop

9. Why Hire a Consultant?
• Co-op experience
• Examples: CDS CC, NCG, HR firm
• Support during:
– Recruitment process
– Develop interview questions
– Compensation and contract
– Support GM Search Committee Chair
– Initial screening via phone interviews
– Feedback on candidate selection

10. Where to Advertise?
1. Your Co-op’s Website
2. Local newspaper, job board, etc.
3. Craigslist, GoodFoodJobs.com, CareersinGrocery.com
4. Network at CCMA: in Amherst this year!
5. Cooperative Grocer Network website
6. Cooperative Grocer Magazine: ad
7. NCBA CLUSA job board
8. Social Media
9. NFCA E-news

11. Nice Ad!

12. Compensation
• Talk to nearby
Co-ops
• Make it fit your
budget, but pay
enough to retain
• Work with
consultants!

13. Making the Transition
How can you prepare to shift from an active, pre-operations board to empowering
management and providing effective feedback, support, & oversight?

14. Be A Good Board (Supervisor)
1. Understand board’s role in the co-op
2. Focus on Mission, Vision & Ends
3. Clear systems for empowerment and accountability
4. Policies/working agreements (Policy Template for Startups)
5. Cooperative Board Leadership Development
6. Commit to ongoing board self-assessment, training and
improvement.
7. Learning/Exchange with other Co-op Boards

15. Attracting a Dynamo GM
1. Clear lines of responsibility and accountability – well
functioning board (understanding how you’ll be governed)
2. Want to know that it will be a viable project
3. Set up for success – Group used professional resources
for key decisions (market study, site planning, etc.)
4. Available resources to work through difficult decisions.
E.g. National Co+op Grocers Development contract

16. Incoming GM’s First Jobs
• Set up Co-op for employees (Payroll, Workers Comp, Employee
handbook, etc.)
• Establish financial record keeping and reporting
• Manage start up budget including Sources & Uses budget
(equipment budget, purchase & installation)
• Negotiate with Architect & Developer
• Oversee various details of the construction project – finalize floor
plan and department equipment needs
• Develop store branding and interior décor and messaging
• Develop pre-opening training plan and hire to the plan
• Establish product sourcing & selection

17. Lessons Learned
• Hiring GM = One of the most important
decisions the Board makes
• Set yourself up to attract a good GM
• Hire GM early enough
• Process is long (up to a year) so plan
accordingly
• Prepare for your new responsibilities:
be a great employer!
• Wait for the right GM vs. hiring the
wrong one

18. Resources
Hiring Your First GM:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/hiring-your-first-general-manger/
GM Success Profile:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/doc/gm-success-profile/
Start Up Staff:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/fieldguide/when-and-who-to-hire-or-contract-for-startups/
Start Off Right w/a New GM:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/article/start-off-right-with-a-new-gm/
GM Contract Template Field Guide:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/fieldguide/general-manager-contract-template-field-guide/
Building a Positive Board/GM Relationship:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/building-a-positive-bodgm-relationship/
Hiring & Guiding a PM/GM:
http://library.cdsconsulting.coop/hiring-and-guiding-a-project-managergm/

19. Questions?

20. Bonnie Hudspeth
Neighboring Food Co-op Association
bonnie@nfca.coop
www.nfca.coop
IYOur Co-ops!The Neighboring Food Co-op Association // www.nfca.coop
Michael Faber
Monadnock Food Co-op
gm@monadnockfood.coop
www.monadnockfood.coop