President

Description

Are you a proven leader of retail organizations with a passion for purpose-driven business, health, and community? 

Mustard Seed Market & Café, a 45-year-old family-owned natural foods grocery & food service business with two retail locations and one commissary kitchen, totaling 40,000 square feet in Greater Akron, Ohio, is seeking a President to drive high performance in operations and prepare the company for its next phase of growth in order to fulfill its mission of promoting healthy, natural food and community well being. This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic leadership, operational excellence, and culture management in an organization beloved for its commitment to the health of Northeast Ohio since 1981.  

Key Responsibilities Include:

The President will set the company’s vision in collaboration with the owners and the Board of Directors, and with broad participation of the team; ensure financial sustainability; and lead a values-aligned, customer-centric culture inspired by the mission of promoting healthy, natural food and community well being. 

The President will oversee all aspects of the business, including strategy development, operational excellence, profitable sales growth, financial planning & performance, team development, and customer experience. 

Specifically, the President will: 

• Strengthen the core business. Address open issues within the current operation through a sound strategic discernment process. 
• Drive financial and operational excellence. Oversee financial and operational performance through disciplined budgeting, revenue growth, cost management, KPI development, accurate reporting, and compliance. Ensure effective retail and food service operations, strong peak-period execution, and a clean, safe, customer-focused environment.
• Develop and implement repeatable processes, systems, and operating disciplines that create a strong, reliable foundation for daily operations and long-term success. Design and implement strategic planning and annual business planning approaches. Align leaders and teams around clear priorities, shared goals, decision-making, and accountability, enabling the organization to operate with greater clarity, confidence, and a shared sense of purpose.
• Develop talent, leaders, and culture. Build next-level organizational capability by mentoring team members, ensuring effective performance management systems, investing in training and development, and fostering an inclusive, accountable, values-based culture that empowers people to do their best work and prepares the organization for its next phase.
• Lay the foundation for and lead the next stage of growth. Once the core business is operating with consistency, alignment, and discipline, develop and oversee the execution of a thoughtful, sustainable growth strategy, expanding revenue opportunities, partnerships, and market presence at the right time and pace.
• Strengthen brand, hospitality, and community impact. Champion exceptional hospitality; protect and maintain brand equity; preserve local authenticity; and ensure meaningful community relationships that enhance reputation, loyalty, and long-term engagement.
• Partner with owners to evolve governance and stewardship. Work closely with the owners to build and manage a high-functioning Board of Directors, thoughtfully leveraging the existing Board of Advisors. Strengthen governance and enterprise-level decision-making while supporting the development of informed, capable next-generation family owners and long-term stewardship of the business.

Requirements

This role requires strategic vision, operational discipline, and a hands-on orientation to ensure the organization evolves, pivots, and grows while staying true to its heritage. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment where family business nuances exist and cultural authenticity matters.

Specifically, the successful candidate will possess:

•     Proven executive leadership in multi-unit retail, grocery, and/or food service businesses, minimum of 10 years preferred.
•     Ability to lead the whole enterprise – strategy, operations, people, and culture – upholding the spirit of a community-rooted natural foods business. 
•     Ability to develop talent and builds effective teams.
•     Understanding of family business dynamics and ability to work effectively with family stakeholders.
•     Sound judgment in pacing change and prioritization.
•     Ability to build and manage work through systems and processes 
•     Financial acumen: budgeting, forecasting, KPIs, and P&L management.
•     Strategic acumen: analysis, planning, decision-making, alignment
•     A track record of driving results.
•     Experience in hospitality-focused businesses with direct customer interaction.
•     Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Master’s in relevant field desired.