Sunflower Farmers Markets Reviews

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets part-time for more than a year

Pros – I had some good times & the employees are friendly I have some good friends there.

Cons – There seems to be some gossip @ times.

Advice to Senior Management – I liked some managers but others seemed to have attitude.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets full-time for more than a year

Pros – I worked at Sunflower Farmers Market in Phoenix, Az. Overall the people working there were knowledgeable about real food. The people shopping there also like to share a little about why they eat what they do and it helps build your own knowledge for yourself.

Cons – Worked there for two years and never had much room for advancement or raises as they were too concerned about budget. Ultimately ended up leaving because they were cutting hours and I wasnt getting paid very well.

Advice to Senior Management – Stick to the job. Stop moving people up that are just friends.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets

Pros – Co workers are great. Everyone who worked with me was very friendly.

Cons – No opportunity to move up- at all. No chance in getting full time hours or benefits.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets

Pros – If you are into healthy living seems like employment at SFM would be perfect, but it is like any other company, just make money and keep your "health and wellness" stuff out of it.

Cons – Feels like high school all over again; gossip and negativity hidden behind a nice little image. This went all the from the top of management to the bottom. No wonder the store director looked to department managers for all the juicy stories. This was used as a management style. It made moving anything forward impossible.

Advice to Senior Management – Misleading and immature leadership is no way to gain respect of your peers or employees, it leaves them feeling insulted and only generates contempt for those in charge. You attract more flies with honey.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets

Pros – Needed my experience and know how. Easy to shine but not much recogition.

Cons – Internal politics carried over from Wild Oats culture. Very low standards, inconsistant HR decisions.

Advice to Senior Management – Check your big egos at the door. Hold DO's accountable for poor decisions.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets

Pros – Very nice people to work with. Fun atmosphere. Great opportunity to improve and learn skills. Upper management very accessible and personable.

Cons – Some of the work can be very physical. Hours can be varied, not always the same from day to day. Policy changes in pay and pay increases are disappointing.

Advice to Senior Management – Walk the talk. Employees at the store level know the climate intimately. They deserve candor and honesty about the company's plans that will affect them directly.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Sunflower Farmers Markets

Pros – You get a paycheck at the end of each period.

Cons – Sunflower parades itself as a health food store but really has no interest in anyone's health. Management has little understanding of how to care for their employees, so the employees have little understanding of how to care for customers. Mike Gilliland, the CEO, seems to have more of an agenda against his old company for ousting him than he does for building a strong company that cares about people.

Advice to Senior Management – Offer more feedback to employees and treat them how you would want to be treated in their position. Your employees are the face of your company.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Sunflower Farmers Markets full-time for more than a year

Pros – easy going company, employees are nice

Cons – how hard you work is not as important as kissing up to the boss.

Advice to Senior Management – Make sure you store directors know what they are doing, some are throwing their work onto others because they are incompetent

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Sunflower Farmers Markets part-time for more than a year

Pros – The job requirements and expectations throughout each department are fairly easy and once the store has been there for a year or so things tend to settle down and the atmosphere is very laid back. However, grand openings are a spur. If working with the right people, it can be fun. If you do your job correctly and efficiently and get to work on time or at least keep managers updated then you will be golden. It's easy work.. BUT

Cons – Being a new company the management can be very unorganized and disoriented. They start you out at minimum wage unless you request otherwise, but they won't negotiate anything hirer than 10/hr for management positions. Yearly raises aren't always given and if so they aren't always the full amount. Hours are horrible, it also depends on business, but usually they tend to keep hours as low as possible. Everyone always seems to be unclear on store policies, safety issues and state laws that apply to grocery stores so you get different answers on different issues each time. They seem to desperately hire anyone as well. Although this gives jobs to many people and underprivileged people, it doesn't quite satisfy the stores expectations. Altogether, the store needs improvement and big improvement.. obviously they failed since Sprouts bought them out. There's job security but it's not a job you want to get too comfortable with.

Advice to Senior Management – Be more thorough with who you hire to manage different departments. Be more stern and wise with your employees and research thoroughly on store policies, state laws and other concerns customers and employees may have. You'll get better business and more hardworking employees.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Sunflower Farmers Markets

Pros – Very relaxed environment, all of the people working there are very friendly and helpful. The customer base seems friendly as well.

Cons – As with any retail job the hours you work can bounce a lot from day to day making it somewhat difficult to plan future events.

Advice to Senior Management – A clear career path would be nice to show employees how they may advance within the company if they so desire.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend