Lake Country Co-op invites applications for the position of full-time Associate Director, Food based out of our Administration Office in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan .
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for delivering exceptional food experiences? We’re looking for a dynamic professional to help lead our food operations and drive innovation across 12 urban and rural hybrid locations. In this role, you will help set the strategic direction, inspire high-performing teams, and ensure operational excellence while championing safety and asset protection. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are committed to creating memorable experiences for our members, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact in a key Business Unit which generates over $142 million dollars in sales per year.
Who We Are: Lake Country Co-op does business differently. As a co-operative, we are built on a foundation of honesty, innovation, responsibility, and respect—values that shape how we work, how we serve, and how we grow. We believe in working together to deliver exceptional experiences for our members and guests, strengthen the success of our communities, and reinvest in sustainable growth that benefits everyone. To learn more about who we are and how you can help bring the Lake Country Co-op brand to life, visit us at www.lakecountryco-op.crs .
Why It Matters: Lake Country Co-op provides a range of products and services to support our over 54,680 member-owners in 20 different communities throughout North Central Saskatchewan in the areas of Food, Pharmacy, Convenience Store, Home and Building Solutions, Ag products, Petroleum, Food Services, and Wine, Spirits and Beer. Through continuous innovation, strong collaborations with local organizations, and annual sales of $700 million, we continue to help build, fuel, feed, and grow our communities together. Our goal is to work together and build stronger, more vibrant communities where everyone can thrive.
What You Will Do:
- Demonstrate the behaviors and actions to support Lake Country Co-operative’s vision, mission, and safety principles to make a difference in members’ lives with a strong customer-focused approach.
- Support the development, communication, and execution of strategic initiatives that drive growth, operational excellence, and value for members, customers, team members, and the organization.
- Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to store managers, ensuring consistent execution, effective operations, and achievement of business objectives.
- Lead, coach, and develop store managers through effective performance management, mentoring, and ongoing feedback to build high-performing teams and support organizational success.
- Ensure consistent execution and accountability for inventory management, merchandising, pricing, and operational processes across all locations while driving continuous improvement.
- Assist with budgeting, financial analysis, and performance monitoring, implementing corrective actions as needed to achieve financial objectives.
- Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative marketing initiatives that increase sales and expand market share within the communities we serve.
- Maintain and strengthen safety management and asset protection systems, policies, and procedures to protect our people, assets, and business operations.
Who You’ll Work With: Reporting to the Director, Food, you will be a key participant in initiating, developing, and executing plans and policies to ensure continued growth in sales, service, team member satisfaction, and customer experience. You will help lead a fun and passionate Food Operations team to cultivate a culture of innovation and collaboration with a focus on the strategic execution of long-term and day-to-day plans.
Discover Prince Albert: Prince Albert, often called the "Gateway to the North" is centrally located along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, about 140 kilometers north of Saskatoon. As the third-largest city in the province, it serves as a key hub between the southern prairie regions and the vast boreal forests to the north. The city is surrounded by natural beauty, offering easy access to outdoor recreation. Just 50 kilometers away lie Prince Albert National Park, known for its pristine lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife including elk, wolves, and free-roaming bison. The city itself has a population of around 35,000 and supports a diverse economy based on government services, agriculture, forestry, mining, and the health and education sectors. Culturally, the city boasts attractions such as the Prince Albert Arts Centre, the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, and the Historical Museum, which highlights Indigenous heritage and pioneer life. Annual events like the Winter Festival, Downtown Street Fair, and Prince Albert Exhibition reflect the city's vibrant community spirit.
Who You Are:
You are looking for a career in Retail Store Operations and meet the following requirements:
- You have 10+ years of relevant experience in food retailing, including 8+ years of leadership experience.
- You possess a post-secondary education in a business-related field and/or Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) experience (with a focus on Food).
- You demonstrate strong business acumen with a proven ability to drive operational excellence and achieve business results.
- You are innovative, goal-oriented, and able to effectively prioritize and adapt in a fast-paced retail environment.
- You are technologically proficient and understand how to leverage it for the advancement and efficiency of your operation and your team.
- You have a proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and inspire high-performing teams.
- You have a well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
- You demonstrate integrity, accountability, honesty, and professionalism in all aspects of your work.
- You carry a valid Class 5 driver’s license.
NOTE: This role involves extensive travel throughout Lake Country Co-op’s trading area and includes some overnight and/or multi-night stays.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including flex days, a flexible spending account, and an employer matched pension plan at one of Saskatchewan’s largest companies.
- Encouragement to take advantage of learning opportunities, to grow and develop, and to foster a culture of teamwork and innovation.
If you share our commitment to our communities combined with a fresh, innovative vision for our future, we invite you to apply online or send your resume to Spencer Pocha, People & Culture Specialist, at [email protected] . Applications will be reviewed as received, and the position will remain open until filled.
We believe all candidates should feel at home with us and be given the opportunity to fully participate during the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, we invite you to submit your requests to us at [email protected] . All information is kept confidential.
At Lake Country Co-op, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and we are working to create a workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve.
We cannot wait to hear from you! We thank all candidates for their interest: however, only those selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted.
306.953.2061 | FOOD #2026-077
