Work for Co-op
Introduction to Co-op
Co-op is different because we’re owned by 5 million members. When we’re successful that creates value for people in our communities, rather than shareholders or wealthy individuals – we exist to meet our members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in. It’s not a new way of doing business, but it feels as important now as it ever has done in the past.
Co-op is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes, but it’s also a highly successful business. As well as having clear financial and operational objectives and employing nearly 65,000 people, we’re the UK’s sixth biggest food retailer with more than 2,500 local, convenience and medium-sized stores.
Why we’re working with Rest Less
We’re working with Rest Less because we know that for Co-op to be successful, our teams need to represent the diverse communities we serve. That means recruiting colleagues of all ages who’ll be able to relate to our customers and clients, providing them with the great service they’ve come to expect.
Find your perfect opportunity at Co-op today
Real-life stories
Ceri Lee - Funeral Arranger
For 20 years, until early retirement in 2013, I was the business owner and Publishing Editor of Primary Times magazines in seven counties of the UK. I had no intention of returning to work, but a friend suggested the Funeral Arranger role, and after joining Co-op Funeralcare they became my job-share colleague. I’ve been a part-time Funeral Arranger since September 2019.
What attracted me to this role was the fact that I would be in a role where, combined with using my organisational and administrative skills, the main focus would be coming alongside individuals and families and, hopefully, having the privilege of being able to make a positive difference to their experience at a time of great personal sadness. I’m so lucky to have that great work satisfaction, and I also I still have time for myself and my family due to the part-time hours. Plus the extra income, meaning we can enjoy things we otherwise might not have been able to afford, e.g. I can spoil my granddaughter more often!
The colleagues I work with both in the local funeral home and in the wider team across the region are among the best, kindest, supportive, professional and caring people I have ever met. The available benefits of working with Co-op as a whole are amazing… from Health and Wellbeing through to special Colleague discounts on all sorts of products and services including those from Coop food stores. If you value job satisfaction along with teamwork and taking pride in having a caring nature and professional outlook as an individual, then Coop Funeralcare is ideal.
Barbara French – ‘Logistics Colleague of the Year’ 2018
Barbara is coming up to 40 years’ service in the Co-op’s Plymouth depot and knows all there is to know about working in a warehouse. Many people talk about the family atmosphere that’s been created there – she’s the centre of it. Her energy, enthusiasm and warmth is clear to see.
“For the first sixteen and a half years I worked in the greengrocery and that was fantastic. The boss was great. He mucked in with everything. It was like home from home. It still is now. The boys are brilliant with me. They’ll not see me struggle, they all respect me,” she says.
“I clean, and I love that because I’m mingling with everybody. Then I go downstairs and work my way through the damages. That always feels like an achievement. I save as much as I can, rack it all up and get it out into stores again so there’s no wastage.
People think I’m mad when I say I love coming to work. I’m going to carry on working for as long as I can. They’ll have to put a chairlift in the warehouse for me!” she laughs.
Jo Bale, Co-op store manager and winner of the Co-op ‘Community Star’ award
Jo is a remarkable lady. She’s worked for Co-op for 36 years, and has given her life to helping the community where she lives and works.
Jo said: “We do something nearly every week for the community. I just see it as part of who I am. To me, that’s what working for Co-op is about.”
It’s not just her devotion to supporting individuals who need help, Jo puts her heart and soul into helping her store’s three local causes.
Jo’s colleagues said: “I am so proud, humbled and privileged to know this colleague who is one of the kindest women ever to walk this earth. Without her and Co-op so many families would not have a better quality of life and memories for life!”
“I’ve worked with her for the best part of 19 years and continue to be in awe of her completely selfless hard work and determination in terms of community.”
Think you would enjoy working at the Co-op?
Example roles at Co-op
Customer team member
This isn’t your standard food retail job, and no two days will be the same. But the one thing that won’t change is your dedication to providing great service to Co-op’s customers and members.
Funeral arranger
Ceremonial driver
Co-op brand values
We’ve developed four simple phrases that describe what being a Co-op colleague is all about. They define what ‘being Co-op’ is – how we behave and how we work for the benefit of our members, customers and communities.
Ways of being Co-op
– Do what matters most
We all focus on doing the right things for our customers, colleagues, members and communities.
– Be yourself always
We bring our best self to work, so we each contribute a bit of our own unique Co-op difference, and we respect others for doing the same.
– Succeed together
Co-operating is what makes us different. We’re better and stronger when we work together.
– Show you care
We care about our Co-op, our colleagues, our members, our customers and communities, now and in the future.
The Co-op was founded on a set of values and principles describing a different, fairer and better way of doing business.
Diversity and Inclusion at Co-op
Co-op creates an environment where colleagues respect and celebrate each other’s individual differences. We embrace the talents, beliefs, backgrounds and abilities of all our colleagues. And it’s more than just an ethical decision.
Our newly formed Represent Network provides a supportive community for disabled Co-op colleagues and promotes fair representation and equal opportunities.
Aspire is a community of colleagues who are passionate about personal development and gender equality. We’re fully inclusive and welcome colleagues of any gender to join our group.
Respect is a network for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) colleagues. We have two simple aims: make sure LGBT+ colleagues can be themselves at work, and promote LGBT+ equality throughout the Co-op and beyond.
Rise is a colleague network that focuses on increasing cultural awareness and ethnic diversity within the Co-op.
PACT is a network of parents and carers who come together to support each other as part of an inclusive Co-op.
Co-op awards & partnerships
