Local grocers own and operate every one of our stores and are committed to delivering what’s right for our customers and communities.

Put simply, our Owner Operators are the heartbeat of the Foodstuffs North Island Co-op.

Becoming an Owner Operator in our Co-op is a rewarding career. You'll have the opportunity to lead your store to success while knowing you have the support and scale of the Co-op behind you every step of the way.

If you're looking for a new challenge, have a passion for people, and want to be a positive force for your community, ownership could be the pathway for you.

Searching, selecting, and developing future Owners is one of the most important things we do, and we take it very seriously. There are two paths to ownership, straight into a Four Square or our Supermarket Trainee Operator Programme (TOP).

Four Square ownership

If you're from outside the industry or haven't worked for a Foodstuffs brand before, owning a local Four Square could be a good option for you.

As a Four Square Owner you'll help New Zealand communities thrive. You'll get to know local faces and organisations. And, you'll learn how to operate a small-format, high-performing store. It's the perfect way to get familiar with the Owner Operator role within our Co-op.

How to become a Four Square Owner

Our Four Square Ownership Immersion Programme is an immersive 12 week “on the shop floor” training programme to gear aspiring Four Square Owners up for success. Applications open 1-2 times per year where we will select small groups of aspiring owners into the programme to begin their journey into Four Square ownership.
Like our customers, our Owners are diverse. From all walks of life, they all have a few aligning characteristics:

• Passion for retailing, shop floor execution and detail.
• Commitment to put customers first, looking after their local community as appropriate.
• Being a Leader worth following, an employer of choice, and an exemplary example of our employer brand.
• Get the criticality of processes that make a safe, compliant, and efficient operation.
• Have an entrepreneurial spirit, mixed with shop floor realism and commercial acumen.
• The dedication to drive a business, while being part of something bigger than just your business

Check out the full details of Becoming a Four Square Owner here

Supermarket ownership

Many of our current and future Owners have worked within the Co-op for a number of years, and have gained valuable experience and mana along the way.

To become a supermarket Owner, you'll first need to find a suitable role in-store to learn about the industry and our Co-op.  This will set you up for sponsorship by an existing Owner to enter an approval process. Initial steps on your pathway to Ownership include an assessment centre and being invited to join a cohort of future Owners on our Trainee Operator Program – a bespoke 12-18 month leadership program.

On completion of the program you’ll receive final approval from our Board before you are ready to start your Ownership journey. Along each step of the way your sponsor, as well as a team of leadership development experts will guide you all the way until you have successfully purchased your first store. 

Becoming an Owner

Are you interested in ownership opportunities within our Co-op? We would love to hear from you.

For more information, head to the ownership page on our careers portal.