Leaders in the co-op industry have long identified the challenge of finding General Managers with the skills to successfully lead a co-op. Even the best candidate in a board’s qualified candidate pool likely lacks some of the skills necessary to lead and manage a successful food co-op.

Columinate’s experienced team of grocery retail experts is well qualified to address this issue with our GM Development Program. Our program focuses on the core grocery management skills your GM will need to successfully lead your co-op.

Columinate’s GM Development Program will support your GM’s efforts to become the leader your co-op envisions.

Key benefits include

  • Columinate’s consultants/instructors are experts and leaders in their subject matter.

  • We help your GM develop a network of expert resources that will be in place long after the classes are over.

  • We work with your co-op’s actual documents and situations, as much as possible.

  • Our instructors will refer your GM to additional educational opportunities, many of which are available at a low or no cost.

Course Offerings

The following courses are offered in the key operational areas of a co-op food store. We will conduct an initial skills assessment to determine which classes would offer the greatest return on investment for both the co-op and the GM. A co-op may select as many classes as they would like.

What Our Participants Say

For More Information

Interested in learning more about GM development? Contact Jeanie Wells at jeaniewells@columinate.coop.

Download Informational Flyers: GM Development, GM Search Support, and Management on Contract Services.

Find an Expert

Together, our consultants help you operate better, so your impact is greater. The sole mission of our team is to outfit your community for sustainable success.