Job Advert: Co-op Member- area of work: Office

Hours: Up to 24 hrs per week

Application closing date: Midnight Sunday 6th April 2025

Interview date: by arrangement w/c 28th April

Start date: Beginning of June/Negotiable

About Loaf:

Loaf is a community bakery and cookery school located in Stirchley, South Birmingham. Our guiding principle is to provide great food for our community and build community through great food.

As we go forward into 2025 we are looking to recruit new team members, especially with our new exciting move into the Stirchley Cooperative Development later in the year, which will give us the opportunity to reshape our work space.

We are a Workers Cooperative which means our team collectively manages and runs the business equally. We encourage each other to keep up with the Co-op values and principles. 

We are looking for someone who has a passion for good food and an interest in working in a workers Co-op.

There are different areas of responsibility at Loaf, and as we co-own the business, there is no boss and we are all paid the same real Living Wage. Loaf is an exciting and rewarding place to work as there is always scope to learn and develop new skills in different aspects of the business and to make a big contribution to Loaf’s success. We value our skills and experience as a team and we have a good record of retaining and training staff.

About this role:

This is a new role we are creating so the successful applicant will be working alongside various members who are currently sharing tasks, to shape and to lead this new role.

• We are looking for someone who is organised, self motivated and a team player.
• Full training will be provided.
• Administrative Duties to include managing day to day email queries.
• Updating and inputting Quickbooks including VAT, reconciliation, expenses and sales.
• Manage Accounts Payable and outgoings including paying bills and overseeing cashflow.
• Maintain payroll and pension schemes.
• Manage and administer HMRC accounts, payments, submissions and records.
• Produce and present financial reports and analysis for review at members meetings.
• Maintain records of all finances as per statutory requirements and back-ups to safeguard business.
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of annual accounts ahead of AGM.
• Create and maintain yearly budgets.
• To look into external funding going into the new build and explore new fundings in the long-term running of Loaf.
• Maintenance of office supplies and office equipment.

Application process:

Application is by CV and covering letter, sent electronically in PDF format to us at info@loaf.coop, we will confirm receipt of all applications. Please respond closely to the job description in your covering letter.

Applications must be received by midnight Sunday 6th April 2025. Interviews will take place by arrangement in the week beginning Monday 28th April.

Loaf Social Enterprise Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

For an informal chat, you can email info@loaf.coop with your number and a good time to call and we will call you back.

Role outline for Administrative position

This new role entails the smooth running of our office, the behind the scenes of Loaf. You will work independently and alongside other co-op members

After full training the successful candidate is expected to be able to maintain records, manage budgets, use Quickbooks to manage sales and expenses and to explore funding opportunities and costs for our move into our new premises and to explore new funding possibilities in the long-term.

Hours for this role are flexible and negotiable with the successful applicant.

Lunch and refreshments are provided each shift, a loaf to take home each shift (if available) plus any leftovers that don’t get donated, and the use of Suma wholesale for personal use.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managing day to day email queries
• Updating and inputting Quickbooks including VAT, reconciliations, expenses and sales.
• Manage Accounts Payable and outgoings including paying bills 
• Manage Cookery school bookings alongside other co-op members
• Maintain payroll and pension schemes
• Manage and administer HMRC accounts, payments, submissions and records
• Produce and present financial reports and analysis for review at members meetings
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of annual accounts ahead of AGM
• Create and maintain yearly budgets
• To look into external funding going into the new build (‘Stirchley Cooperative Development’) 
• Explore new funding possibilities in the long-term
• Contribution to both team and working group meetings and business development.

• Any other duties as required to promote and assist in the smooth running of Loaf.
• Liaise with website caretaker
• Maintenance of office supplies and office equipment.
• Opportunity to get involved with marketing, newsletter and other social aspects

Essential skills and experience

• Basic IT skills and ability to use and understand spreadsheets
• Ability to work as part of a small team
• Problem solver attitude
• Adaptable mindset – every working day will be a different challenge and experience
• Understanding and demonstrating of Loaf’s values

 Desirable skills

• Knowledge of Quickbooks
• Funding applications
• How to manage a budget
• Interest in food
• Marketing and social media skills

As a workers cooperative, all team members at Loaf are encouraged to have input into the running of the company, therefore the successful candidate will be expected to be an integral part of the small team at Loaf HQ, and embody the values of Loaf in the way they apply themselves to the job. We expect our team members to attend meetings which shape Loaf and its smooth running. After a successful six month probationary period, the individual will be asked to become a full member of the cooperative.

Hours and Pay:

The role will be salaried at £12.60 per hour this is our current flat rate of pay, and this is reviewed annually. Full time equivalent 0.66. We are a Real Living Wage employer. Hours of work are for this position are up to 24 hours a week during Loaf’s working week. Rotas are prepared in advance and according to availability as far as possible. Annual leave allowance is 30 days per year (pro rata and inclusive of bank holidays). Some of this allowance must be taken during HQ shutdown which occurs around Christmas and New Year.