What you’ll do:
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the VP of Operations is a pivotal member of the Executive Leadership Team, helping shape the future growth, performance, and long-term success of the Co-op. This is a broad and influential leadership role for a strategic, growth-minded leader who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-location, unionized retail environment and is energized by leading people, driving operational excellence, and building strong customer and community connections.
The VP of Operations provides enterprise leadership across key commodity divisions which may include Ag, Food (Pharmacy), Liquor, Consumer Fuels, Home & Building and rental properties. With accountability spanning strategy, operations, customer experience, marketing, financial performance, asset protection, and talent leadership, this role plays a critical part in transforming strategy into action while positioning the Co-op for continued growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Responsibilities include:
Champion the Co-op’s values and brand, creating a strong people and customer-focused culture across all operations.
Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple divisions, driving performance, growth, operational excellence, and alignment with the Co-op’s vision and priorities.
Partner with the Executive Leadership Team to shape and execute strategic initiatives that support long-term sustainability, innovation, customer experience, and business growth.
Collaborate with enabling leaders to align operational priorities with financial planning, marketing & communications, people strategies, asset protection, reporting, and overall business performance.
Lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous improvement.
Provide forward-thinking leadership for operational and business initiatives in a fast-paced unionized retail environment, identifying opportunities, managing risk, and supporting capital investment, growth, and business development strategies that position the Co-op for continued growth and long-term success
Build strong collaborative relationships across the organization and with external partners, including Federated Co-operatives Limited, vendors, and community stakeholders.
Provide regular reporting to the Board of Directors on operational performance, strategic priorities, key risks, and business results.
Why it matters:
At Saskatoon Co-op, our work goes beyond retail. Every day, our team helps build, fuel, feed, and grow the communities we serve. From supporting local producers and businesses to delivering exceptional products and experiences to our member-owners, we play an important role in strengthening communities and shaping their future, together.
Who you are:
You are a strategic, people-focused leader with a strong track record of leading complex retail or operational businesses through growth, change, and operational excellence. You bring the ability to think strategically while remaining connected to the day-to-day realities of the business, building strong teams, delivering results, and creating exceptional customer and team member experiences.
10+ years of progressive senior leadership experience within a multi-location retail, operations, or customer-focused environment, preferably within the Co-operative Retailing System.
Post-secondary education in Business, Commerce, Management, or a related field is considered an asset.
Experience in a unionized environment is an asset.
Ongoing leadership and professional development in areas such as strategy, leadership, operations, finance, or organizational development would be considered an asset.
Proven experience leading large teams, driving operational performance, and delivering sustainable business results.
Strong business and financial acumen, with experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and operational decision-making.
Experience working closely with Marketing, Human Resources, and Asset Protection to support customer experience, team engagement, safety, compliance, and operational execution.
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, stakeholders, and community partners.
A leadership style that is adaptable, growth-minded, and grounded in accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous improvement.
Our Team Members receive competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package and an employer-contributed pension plan. We encourage our Team Members to take advantage of learning opportunities, to grow and develop and to foster a culture of teamwork and innovation.
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