Job Advert: Co-op Member – Area of work: Shop 

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:

Shop duties will include preparing baked goods and lunches for sale

Managing pre-orders, re-stocking and ordering and cleaning. 

Serving customers with a welcoming manner

Handling customer feedback, emails and social media

Maintaining hygiene records

Engaging actively in our working groups and meetings

Taking up a communicator role between our customers and bakery

Answering questions about our business, products, baking processes, cookery school, co-ops and the Stirchley Co-operative Development

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.

Job Description:

Co-op Member – Area of work: Shop 

Role outline for shop:

This role entails the day to day running of our bakery shop. You will work independently and alongside other co-op members of the shop. In the long-term it is desired that the successful candidate is able to assist with the preparation for bakery shifts – particularly shaping dough – and to get involved in the production of cakes and pastries –  full training will be given. There is also the opportunity for the interested candidate to plan weekly lunch menus and get involved in other areas of our co-op.

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:

• Working in the shop to maintain the smooth running of our retail offer.
• Preparation of daily lunches for the Loaf bakery shop.
• Managing pre-orders.
• Ensuring the shop runs smoothly on shift– stocking shelves, cleaning, serving at the till, cashing up, daily checks and recording. Including COSHH and HACCP compliance.
• Engaging with customers, answering questions, explaining our business.
• Cleaning of the shop and the rest of the building as required
• Contribution to both team and working group meetings and company development.
• Any other duties as required to promote and assist in the smooth running of Loaf.

Essential skills & experience:

• Experience in a commercial food service environment and keeping up with food safety and hygiene standards
• Experience of till work and basic cash handling
• Experience delivering excellent customer service
• Proven passion and enthusiasm for and knowledge of good food
• Highly organised with good time keeping skills
• Self-motivated and able to take the initiative
• Understanding and demonstrating of Loaf’s values
• Ability to work as part of a small team
• Problem solver attitude
• Adaptable mindset – every working day will be a different challenge and experience

Desirable:

• Food hygiene qualification – Level 2 or above
• Experience or strong interest in learning how to make bread, pastries, cakes and our lunches
• Presenting our business on social media

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 and engage in our working groups 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: