Company Overview
Christy's Gourmet Gifts is a Burlington-based family business dedicated to creating delectable gourmet sweets, handmade cookies, and chocolates. We pride ourselves on using traditional family recipes and the finest ingredients to craft beautiful gifts for any occasion.
SummaryCo-op Student - Operations, Customer Experience & Supply Chain
Christy's Gourmet Gifts | Fall 2026 Co-op Placement | Small team, Real Responsibilities
Company
Family-owned Canadian chocolate, sweets and gift company; team of fewer than 20 people
Term
Fall 2026 co-op placement
Location
Burlington, Ontario
IN PERSON Role
Suitable programs
Preference given for students enrolled in a post-secondary program. Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Food Business or related programs
Rate of Pay/Hours/term
$22/hour
36-40 hours/week
Flexible work schedule required including evenings and weekends.
Overtime may be available
About the opportunity
This is a hands-on co-op role in a real small business, not a sit-in-the-corner-and-watch placement. You will learn how customer orders move from online request to production, packaging, shipping and follow-up. You will also see how inventory, purchasing, e-commerce, trade shows and business systems connect behind the scenes.
Because we are a small, family-owned team, your work will matter. You will know the people you work with, see the customers we serve, and understand how your contribution helps the business run well during its busiest season. Chocolate helps too. We are not above using chocolate as a recruiting strategy.
About Christy's Gourmet Gifts
Christy's Gourmet Gifts creates chocolates, sweets, cookies and gift presentations for retail, online, corporate, wholesale and seasonal customers. Christmas is our biggest season, and we take pride in creating a warm, high-quality customer experience - from the product itself to the final ribbon and bow.
We have an all-hands-on-deck culture. Everyone has primary responsibilities, but when the season gets busy, the team helps where help is needed. Some days that means customer support or order entry. Other days it may mean inventory, packing, shipping, trade show prep, or helping make a gift look just right.
What you will learn
· How a small Canadian manufacturing and gifting business operates day to day.
· How online, wholesale, corporate and seasonal orders are processed and fulfilled.
· How Shopify, QuickBooks, Excel and ERP systems support real business decisions.
· How inventory accuracy affects production, purchasing, customer promises and cash flow.
· How customer service, presentation and operations work together to create a memorable brand experience.
What you will help with
You will not be expected to be an expert on day one. We will train you. The goal is to give you broad, practical exposure while helping the team with meaningful work.
· Customer support: respond to online order questions, shipping inquiries, order updates and customer follow-up.
· Order processing: support retail, online, wholesale and corporate orders with care and accuracy.
· E-commerce and systems: use Shopify, QuickBooks, Microsoft 365 and spreadsheets for order, customer, supplier and inventory information.
· Shipping and logistics: prepare packing slips, shipping labels and documentation; track shipments and help resolve delivery questions.
· Inventory and receiving: receive deliveries, verify quantities, organize materials, assist with cycle counts and update inventory records.
· Materials planning: help identify low-stock items, slow-moving items, discrepancies and opportunities to improve organization.
· Trade shows and events: help prepare products, displays and inventory; support setup, teardown, sales support and post-event counts.
· ERP and process improvement: assist with data cleanup, testing workflows, documenting simple procedures and improving how information flows.
· Seasonal support: pitch in during the holiday rush with packing, organizing, gift presentation and team support.
Who will thrive here
This placement is a strong fit for a student who enjoys people and process. You do not need to arrive with all the answers. You do need curiosity, care and a willingness to learn by doing.
· You are friendly, helpful and comfortable working with customers and teammates.
· You communicate clearly and ask questions when something is unclear.
· You are organized, accurate and willing to double-check details - our version of having an Eagle Eye.
· You like practical work and can shift gears when priorities change.
· You enjoy being part of a close team where people help one another succeed.
· You take pride in presentation, whether that means clean data, a tidy work area or a beautifully finished gift.
· You can accept feedback as part of learning and improvement.
· You bring positive energy without needing a giant corporate machine around you. Around here, the machine is mostly people, chocolate and common sense.
Qualifications
· Currently enrolled in a post-secondary co-op program in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Food Business or a related field.
· Strong interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills.
· Good organization, time management and attention to detail.
· Comfort using Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word and Outlook.
· Willingness to learn business software such as Shopify, QuickBooks, and ERP tools.
· Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively with a small team.
· Flexible, positive and comfortable in a busy environment where no two days are exactly alike.
Nice to have, but not required
· Customer service, retail, inventory, warehouse, food business, shipping or event experience.
· Experience using Excel for lists, reports or data cleanup.
· Interest in manufacturing, supply chain, operations, entrepreneurship or small business growth.
· A love of chocolate, sweets, ribbons, bows or gift presentation. Not mandatory, but it will make your day more fun.
Physical requirements
· Comfortable working in both office and light warehouse / production environments.
· Ability to stand, walk, bend and move throughout the workday as needed.
· Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally, using safe lifting practices and team support where appropriate.
· Occasional support for trade shows or company events may be required.
Why students should consider this placement
Large companies can teach you structure. Small companies teach you how the whole business actually works. In this role, you will see the links between customers, orders, inventory, production, shipping, systems and cash flow. You will also work with people who know your name and notice your contribution.
How to apply
Please apply through your co-op job board or send your resume and a brief note explaining why this role interests you to: [email protected]
Pay: $22.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
