O’Leary Co-op thriving and hiring: O’Leary Farmer’s Co-op Food Market

by Ruby Arsenault

Dawn Helm has been the General Manager of the O’Leary Farmer’s Co-op Food Market since 2017.

“I enjoy the interaction with our members and customers and the community-minded values that the Co-op embraces,” says Dawn. “I was raised in a Co-op family and I believe in the co-operative values.

“I like the challenge of bringing the Co-op to a better financial position,” says Dawn. “When your Co-op is healthy financially, the whole community benefits through donations to organizations and groups needing help. For example, we recently donated a parcel of land to the new Co-op community care home.”

Dawn brings to her role a vast amount of experience working with co-operatives. She is originally from Amherst, Nova Scotia and started working for the Amherst Co-op in 1987. She worked her way up from farm store clerk/grocery cashier to manager of the Amherst Country Store.

Hiring needs

The O’Leary Farmer’s Co-op has 45 employees working in three locations: Food Market, Shell Gas Bar, and Feed Mill Country Store.

“The most challenging aspect of my job is staffing, which has become a real issue in the new environment as COVID-19 adds even more challenges,” says Dawn.

Currently the Co-op is looking to hire a Gas Bar Attendant, a Cashier for the grocery who is available during the day, and a Grocery Department Manager for the Food Market.

“For the grocery manager position, I am seeking a highly qualified, motivated person with retail food experience and knowledge. The ideal candidate would have a business background as well.”

Wages and benefits

The Co-op is unionized shop. There are three classifications: Clerk 1, Clerk 2, and Senior Clerk, with wages ranging from minimum wage to $15.17 per hour. Department managers and supervisors are non-union.

After a three-month probation period, employees are eligible for a 50/50 split for benefits including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and RRSP if they work 30 hours or more per week.

How to apply

New positions are posted on Facebook and through word of mouth and WorkPEI. Resumés are kept on file for upcoming openings.

To apply, email [email protected] or pick up a job application at the cash office and drop off the resumé at the store anytime.