Description
Title: Social Enterprise Director
Location: Haleiwa, Hawaii
Reports to: CEO, COO
Works Closely With: The KHF Director Team including the Outreach Director, Volunteer & Partnership Director, Program Directors and Farm Director
Supervises: Kokua General Store Manager, INA Farm Stand Managers, and Sales Associates
How to Apply: Please email cover letter and resume with three references to jobs@kokuahawaiifoundation.org
About the Organization: Kokua Hawaii Foundation (KHF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2003 that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaii. KHF’s mission is to provide opportunities that enhance appreciation for and understanding of the environment to inspire lifelong stewards of the earth. Kkua Hawaii Foundation programs include INA In Schools, 3Rs School Program, Kkua Hawaii Foundation Field Trip Grants, Kkua Hawaii Foundation Project Grants, Plastic Free Hawaii, Kkua Learning Farm Youth Internship, Kkua Learning Farm Field Trips and the Kkua Compost Program. Since 2019, KHF has cared for 8 acres of land in the heart of Haleiwa establishing agricultural, educational, and retail activities that benefit the community and promote local food, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. The property encompasses three mission-aligned businesses (Kkua General Store, Kkua Vintage, INA Farm Stand), the Kkua Community Center, the Kkua Learning Farm, and KHF support offices. The storefront spaces provide the community the tools needed to reduce waste, connection to local food and farmers, and support local artisans/businesses.
Position: The Social Enterprise Director will lead the staff, mission alignment, business operations, merchandising, vendor relationships, and marketing of the current storefronts which include the Kokua General Store, Kokua Vintage, and AINA Farm Stand modeling KHF’s mission of environmental education, low-waste business operations, local food production and service. The ideal candidate is a passionate leader capable of multi-tasking with attention to detail and connecting with employees, partners, vendors and customers. They will communicate a clear and compelling direction for the social enterprises staff and the public. They will coach team members to run operations efficiently and generate business in alignment with KHF’s brand and mission, ensuring the storefronts, products and other brand elements are customer-ready in line with standards for visual merchandising, environmental messaging, local food production, and low waste operations set by the CEO, COO, and Director Team.
Requirements
Roles and Responsibilities:
People, Community, and Mission
Provide overall social enterprise leadership, supervision, and delegation. Lead upwards of 4 store managers and 8+ sale associates
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, manage, coach, and evaluate the social enterprise team to optimize environmental connections, increase sales, and build a safe and engaging culture for customers, workers, and volunteers, throughout KHF’s network of mission-aligned businesses
Build a joyful, inclusive, and engaging work culture for staff, volunteers, partners, vendors, and customers
Model mission-driven brand promises related to environmental stewardship, local food production and a low-waste lifestyle
Connect and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with local and sustainable artisans, makers, business owners, and other mission-aligned vendors
Communicate compelling stories that connect consumer choices to the broader work of KHF in schools, on the farm, and in the community.
Develop and implement HR procedures for the storefronts (hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, constructive feedback, payroll/timekeeping, safety, state/federal/organization compliance)
Business Operations
Develop business metrics and dashboards and report them monthly to the CEO, COO, and Board of Directors
Collaborate with the CEO, COO and Board of Directors to develop a business plan to meet impact, growth, and financial goals
Identify retail profit measures and analytical techniques most important for KHF storefronts and lead KHF in the use of these measures
Develop and implement business systems related to inventory, revenue, promotions, displays, and customer experience, applying waste reduction and local and sustainable sourcing principles throughout
Maintain optimal staffing and scheduling that meets operational requirements, being responsive to traffic, business, and seasonal changes, while achieving labor % goals
Prepare and control the storefront budgets
Oversee store profits, controllable expenses (including labor, inventory levels and cash/inventory shortages), and shrinkage
Oversee Shopify POS and continually implement efficiencies, incorporating best practices for bulk refill, grocery, cafe, and resale operations
Manage and serve a selection of prepared fresh foods and beverages with a focus on reducing waste, including reusable serveware, and upcycling left over food for use in KHF value add products, events, and programs
Marketing and Events
In collaboration with Leadership and Directors, define the target market for KHF storefronts and develop a strategy for connecting with this market through various channels, including events
Maintain high standards of visual merchandising and brand presentation - ensure shelves are fully stocked and attractive, priced correctly, and displayed in a safe manner, with effective environmental education touchpoints throughout
Through media and visual merchandising, educate customers on local makers, owners, farmers, and vendors to connect the community to learn about where their products and food come from
Oversee product displays, cleaning, and the general appearance of all social enterprise areas in alignment with KHF’s mission and standards
Develop insight into market/trends through research and by establishing rapport with potential and actual customers and others knowledgeable about low waste lifestyle developments and local food
Set and meet sales targets and motivate staff to meet targets. Host team meetings to align on impact, sales, and strategy
Plan and execute specials, promotions, and events for all KHF social enterprises
Support marketing efforts using avenues like social media and networking
Merchandising & Inventory Management
Lead buying across all social enterprises, overseeing product selection and mission alignment, sourcing, and merchandising strategy
Manage inventory purchases, stock levels and product flow, including accurate distribution of items between KHF social enterprises and programs
Oversee intake, tracking, and management of in-store and backstock inventory and perform regular inventory audits
In conjunction with CEO and Outreach Director, design and procure mission and brand aligned custom merchandise across all storefronts
Stay current on local pricing landscape, demand and price according to strategic alignment
Manage vendors, including communicating best practices and quality standards, invoicing, receiving, and ordering of a wide variety of inventory items
Compliance and Administration
Secure assets (merchandise and income) by implementing security measures, formal SOP’s, systems, checklists, and guidelines for all staff to follow
Uphold compliance with all legal, health, and safety guidelines; ensure DOH food safety compliance of all staff, products, procedures, and equipment
Protect employees and customers by providing a safe and clean working environment
Inspect the storefronts and resolve all issues that arise
Oversee daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual paperwork and computer entry in a timely manner
Continually look for innovation to implement and improve current systems, POS, financial procedures, inventory management, and flow of operations
Desired Traits, Skills, and Experience:
6+ years of business management experience, ideally in a retail setting, including experience with budgets, pricing, vendor relationships, buying, retail staffing, loss prevention, managing a P&L, and financial reporting
3-5+ years of experience recruiting, hiring, training, managing, and leading others, including taking constructive corrective action with employees, ideally in a customer-focused setting
3+ years of Hawaii-based job experience and 3 Hawaii-based references preferred
Desire to build, lead, inspire, and grow an outstanding team to support a suite of mission-driven social enterprises
2+ years of food experience, ideally in a small retail food service or grocery setting, including customer service, managing perishable inventory, preparing and serving food, building relationships with small-to-medium scale chefs, farmers, and food aggregators in Hawaii and an understanding of their capabilities and needs
Experience growing or cooking food for sale or in community settings
Experience and passion in sustainability and/or local food system - especially in plastic pollution issues/solutions, waste reduction, garden/farm practices and second-hand/vintage goods
Demonstrated commitment to education, intersectional environmentalism, sustainability, justice and growing a healthier future for Hawaii
Outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal abilities
Analytical acumen and familiarity with data analysis reporting and tools
Skilled at current best practices in retail methods, procedures, and standards
Strong sense of style and an eye for merchandising
Flexibility in work schedule reflecting the needs and patterns of store hours
Knowledge of retail management software, ideally Shopify POS
Solid computer skills, including in Apple, Excel, and Google Workspace
Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
Demonstrated ability to both conduct and coordinate a team in operational tasks, including receiving shipment and maintaining store cleanliness
Ability to carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds
MBA or MA/MS in business-related field preferred
Demonstrated track record of improving sales figures and meeting quantitative targets
Additional Valuable Skills:
Experience with consignment
Experience with social media
Bulk refill, local food, and/or vintage product knowledge
Compensation & Benefits:
Full-time position begins November 2025 and will be based on Oahu’s North Shore, with a variable work schedule. Pay range is between $60,000/year - $75,000/year (based on qualifications and experience) and includes full medical and dental benefits and a 401(k) matching contribution.
How to Apply: Please email cover letter and resume with three references to jobs@kokuahawaiifoundation.org
