DISCOVERING NEW ROADS PITCH CONTEST

Sometimes all you need is to be in the right place at the right time. We can help with that.

Announcing the very first Emerging Brands Pitch Contest at the CGA Strategic Conference. The opportunity you’ve been waiting for to spotlight your product and gain exposure to major players in the California market is here!

WHAT

Ten emerging companies will be selected to showcase their brand to an influential audience of California retailers and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies. Contestants will have five minutes to take the stage to deliver their best pitch in an effort to win over the audience of industry decision-makers. Winners will walk away with unique prizes and business connections to help your brand reach the next level.

WHEN

September 25, 2022, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

WHERE

Palm Springs, California 

WHO

Any company that meets the following criteria may apply:

• Must be retail ready, able to ship product to California retailers starting October 1, 2022.
• Must be available to attend the CGA Strategic Conference in Palm Springs, September 25-27, 2022.
• Grocery Sales must be in the range of $100,000 – $2 million
• Company must be under 10 years old.
• Must have a distribution supply chain network (i.e. UNFI, KEHE, C&S, DPI)
• Will not qualify if they have participated in CGASC Emerging Brands Sessions in the past.
• Product should be innovative and fill a consumer need. Sales pitch must explain your go-to-market and promotional strategy.

What is your WHY? You will have 5 minutes to present your product and tell your story. What makes your product different? Unique? Compelling? The story is as important as the product.

Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2022 and selected companies will be notified by August 12, 2022.

APPLY HERE

In early June the independent grocery community enjoyed another successful day on the green for the CGA Independent Grocers Golf Tournament! Friends and colleagues old and new had the opportunity to build relationships, try product samples, and compete in a game of golf during a beautiful day on the course.  Events like these remind us how impactful it can be to make new business connections and foster existing relationships with colleagues away from the office.   Thank you to our golfers and amazing sponsors for making this day possible!

Start Your Journey

It’s time to redraw the retail roadmap. Registration is now open for the CGA Strategic Conference. Meet us in Palm Springs to make meaningful business connections, experience valuable educational sessions, and enjoy quality time with peers.

Secure your spot and hotel accommodations today.

Register here

The Retail Roadmap

Rounding another corner of the pandemic, the California grocery industry sets its sights on the road ahead. Charting new terrain —from unpredictable supply chain bottlenecks to labor-related hurdles and rapid inflation— retailers and brands now must redraw the retail roadmap to develop new skills, test new approaches, and accelerate decision-making.

Learn more

Destination of the Year

The first stop on your journey is here. Join us in Palm Springs for insightful educational sessions tackling the latest trends, issues, and solutions in our industry, peer-to-peer social events, and our signature retailer/supplier meetings.

Learn more

Go the Distance With a Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are available at various investment and exposure levels. All sponsors receive a set number of private, pre-arranged meetings with senior management, procurement teams, and other retail professionals in the California grocery industry.

Whether you represent a new product or an established national supplier, this not-to-be-missed gathering of top industry decision makers will guide towards vital business relationships and help plot strategies to reach your desired business destination.

Learn more

CGA is seeking a Controller to oversee the operations of the finance department and manage the Association’s accounting, financial reports, and investment accounts. Find more details on the position below.

Interested? Apply on LinkedIn.

Job Purpose:

The Controller manages the accounting needs, financial reports, and investment accounts for the California Grocers Association, the CGA Educational Foundation and Aisle 3 Concepts, LLC. This position manages the operations of the finance department, which includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, and payroll.

The Association serves and represents the grocery industry and advocates on their behalf. As a team, the CGA staff has created a culture statement to reflect our values: We are an empowered team guided by integrity and trust, to develop successful, long-term outcomes for our organization. At our core, we are collaborators who embrace each other’s diversity of perspectives and talents.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; implements a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
• Leads the organization’s finance department including managing one, direct staff member.
• Oversees the production of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports; ensures that the reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles or financial reporting standards.
• Manages the annual budget process and periodic forecasts; reports significant budget differences to management.
• Provides financial analysis as needed and reconciles investment accounts monthly.
• Works with external auditors and provides necessary information for the annual audit.
• Oversees the management of payroll processes, 401(k) benefits and contributions and the employee benefits package.
• Manages insurance policies and claims, including worker’s compensation, general liability, Directors & Officers, and building insurance.
• Manages accounting functions for Association’s building and tenants including rent roll and reviewing leases.
• Working with the CEO/COO, manages several committees, and outside financial consultants.
• Makes presentations to various Boards, committees and groups.
• Manage IT contract and services including coordinating upgrades, security protocols, and troubleshooting minor issues.
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.

Qualifications:

Required skills/abilities:

• Strong Excel, QuickBooks Accounting Desktop 2021, and accounting software skills.
• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to answer questions, present solutions and suggest efficiencies.
• Excellent accounting skills including experience with budgeting, financial statement analysis and preparation.
• Ability to deliver quality work on tight deadlines, with strong organization and priority setting skills.
• Strong presentation and interpersonal skills. Must be able to communicate financial information into sound business language so people of all levels can understand.
• Ability to self-direct and self-manage multi-faceted workload of a busy association.
• Contributing and compatible team player. Works closely with the association’s senior leadership team and various boards and committees.
• Excellent management and supervisory skills.

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Seven to ten years of related experience required.
• Demonstrated skills and management experience overseeing a department and direct report.
• Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Account designation preferred.
• Understanding of applicable laws and regulations.
• Understanding of financial data analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed in an office environment in downtown Sacramento with a flexible work from home option following completion of 90-day performance evaluation. Occasional overnight travel to CGA events throughout California.

The California Grocers Association provides medical, dental, and vison insurance for employee and eligible dependents, and life insurance and long term disability insurance for the employee. The Association also provides eligible employees with a generous 401(k) and profit sharing program along with paid sick, vacation and holiday time. Parking in downtown location provided.

The position is full time, exempt. Salary commensurate with experience and credentials.

The information provided in this description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required of employees in this job.

Physical Requirements:

Employee may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:

• View computer monitors;
• Sitting at a desk;
• Standing for CGA events;
• Occasional overnight travel (including driving and flying) to other locations within California, to support CGA events.

Direct Reports:

This position supervises the Senior Accountant & Assistant Office Manager position.