The Carlisle Group (TCG)
Internet Researcher at The Carlisle Group (TCG)
LEAD THE FUTURE OF FOOD JUSTICE IN SANTA MONICA
The Carlisle Group is pleased to partner with Co-opportunity Market to hire their next General Manager!
For 50 years, Co-opportunity Market has been Santa Monica's answer to corporate grocery: a community-owned pioneer proving that exceptional food, fair wages, and environmental stewardship aren't mutually exclusive. Now, we're looking for a bold leader to take us into our next era of growth and impact.
The Opportunity
As General Manager, you will lead one of Southern California's most established natural food co-ops through an exciting inflection point. This isn't about maintaining the status quo. It's about building on five decades of trust to create something even more relevant, profitable, and community-centered.
You'll have full operational authority to:
Build a team that wins : Lead with empathy while developing and retaining future leaders from within, and attracting top talent who want their work to matter
Drive growth with purpose : Hit ambitious financial targets while expanding access to healthy food for our diverse members, guests, and community partners
Innovate the co‑op model : Prove that cooperative values and retail excellence aren't mutually exclusive. They're compatible and competitive advantages
Own the strategy : Partner with the Board on vision, then execute with autonomy
What Success Looks Like
Year One:
Strong financial performance with a clear path to sustainable growth
Energized team culture where people want to build careers, not just work shifts
Deepened community relationships with local farmers, producers, and members
Operational systems that free you to lead, not micromanage
Beyond:
A co‑op that's known as Santa Monica's grocery destination, not its best‑kept secret
Membership growth that reflects our community's diversity
A workplace where people develop skills that launch careers in food justice
Financial resilience that funds the mission for another 50 years
What You'll Bring
5+ years
leading grocery retail or mission-driven operations with P&L responsibility
Track record
of hitting financial targets while building high-performing, engaged teams
Genuine passion
for food justice, sustainability, and cooperative economics, not just box-checking
Strategic thinking
combined with operational excellence (you can build the plan and execute it)
Ownership mindset : Takes accountability for results, receives feedback openly, and addresses challenges head-on rather than deflecting
Comfort with Board partnership : you'll report to them but operate with significant autonomy
Flexibility
for evening/weekend presence as needed
Experience
in natural/organic retail or cooperative business models
Deep connections
in LA's food and wellness community
Background
developing talent and building leadership pipelines
What We Offer
Compensation : Ideal salary range of $150‑160K, based on experience, plus comprehensive benefits
Impact : Every decision you make affects food access, farmer livelihoods, and community wealth-building
Autonomy : Real authority to lead, not endless committee approvals
Legacy : Shape the next chapter of an organization that's been getting it right since 1974
Community : Lead a team and serve a membership that genuinely cares about what we're building together
Co‑opportunity Market is committed to building a team as diverse as the community we serve. We strongly encourage applications from anyone who brings perspectives that strengthen our ability to serve all of Santa Monica.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming workplace for all employees. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to apply.
Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Management
Industries:
Retail and Food and Beverage Retail
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Carlisle Group is pleased to partner with Co-opportunity Market to hire their next General Manager!
For 50 years, Co-opportunity Market has been Santa Monica's answer to corporate grocery: a community-owned pioneer proving that exceptional food, fair wages, and environmental stewardship aren't mutually exclusive. Now, we're looking for a bold leader to take us into our next era of growth and impact.
The Opportunity
As General Manager, you will lead one of Southern California's most established natural food co-ops through an exciting inflection point. This isn't about maintaining the status quo. It's about building on five decades of trust to create something even more relevant, profitable, and community-centered.
You'll have full operational authority to:
Build a team that wins : Lead with empathy while developing and retaining future leaders from within, and attracting top talent who want their work to matter
Drive growth with purpose : Hit ambitious financial targets while expanding access to healthy food for our diverse members, guests, and community partners
Innovate the co‑op model : Prove that cooperative values and retail excellence aren't mutually exclusive. They're compatible and competitive advantages
Own the strategy : Partner with the Board on vision, then execute with autonomy
What Success Looks Like
Year One:
Strong financial performance with a clear path to sustainable growth
Energized team culture where people want to build careers, not just work shifts
Deepened community relationships with local farmers, producers, and members
Operational systems that free you to lead, not micromanage
Beyond:
A co‑op that's known as Santa Monica's grocery destination, not its best‑kept secret
Membership growth that reflects our community's diversity
A workplace where people develop skills that launch careers in food justice
Financial resilience that funds the mission for another 50 years
What You'll Bring
5+ years
leading grocery retail or mission-driven operations with P&L responsibility
Track record
of hitting financial targets while building high-performing, engaged teams
Genuine passion
for food justice, sustainability, and cooperative economics, not just box-checking
Strategic thinking
combined with operational excellence (you can build the plan and execute it)
Ownership mindset : Takes accountability for results, receives feedback openly, and addresses challenges head-on rather than deflecting
Comfort with Board partnership : you'll report to them but operate with significant autonomy
Flexibility
for evening/weekend presence as needed
Experience
in natural/organic retail or cooperative business models
Deep connections
in LA's food and wellness community
Background
developing talent and building leadership pipelines
What We Offer
Compensation : Ideal salary range of $150‑160K, based on experience, plus comprehensive benefits
Impact : Every decision you make affects food access, farmer livelihoods, and community wealth-building
Autonomy : Real authority to lead, not endless committee approvals
Legacy : Shape the next chapter of an organization that's been getting it right since 1974
Community : Lead a team and serve a membership that genuinely cares about what we're building together
Co‑opportunity Market is committed to building a team as diverse as the community we serve. We strongly encourage applications from anyone who brings perspectives that strengthen our ability to serve all of Santa Monica.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming workplace for all employees. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to apply.
Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Management
Industries:
Retail and Food and Beverage Retail
#J-18808-Ljbffr