Produce Clerk II - Starting wage $19.45/hr

Purpose

To stock and display fresh produce while offering prompt, friendly, and helpful customer service. To assist in meeting and exceeding department goals for sales and product quality. To provide exceptional customer service with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. To utilize skills and experience in produce retail to assist with more complex departmental work under the direction of management. To contribute to the financial best interest of the store while meeting the Co-op’s Ends.

Responsibilities

I. General

• Follow the Core Values as defined by EEFC's Core Value statement.
• Provide exemplary customer service to both customers and staff.
• Professional appearance and behavior.
• Accurately communicate what the Co-op is and the process for becoming a member.
• Familiarity with store layout, products, and services.
• Familiarity and understanding of emergency procedures.
• Stay up to date with current storewide and departmental communications, policies, notices, and logs.
• Abide by Co-op policies as delineated in the Employee Handbook.
• Willingness and ability to learn to meet the changing needs and requirements of the job.

II. Level II Responsibilities

• Assist with the receiving process for produce under the direction of produce management.
• Assist with the ordering process for produce under the direction of produce management.
• Assist with the maintenance, selection and sales of the floral department under the direction of produce management.
• Assist with weekly merchandising strategies and product selections under the direction of produce management.

III. Departmental – Produce Handling, Stocking and Merchandising

• Help ensure produce is handled according to established procedures and food handling safety standards.
• Assist in training new staff in established procedures.
• Assist with unloading deliveries according to established procedures.
• Ensure that culled produce is directed to proper waste disposal and that the loss is accurately recorded.
• Maintain attractive, fully stocked, and rotated produce displays.
• Create signs for produce items.
• Perform other tasks assigned by department supervisors.

IV. Departmental – Customer Service

• Assist customers with produce questions and special orders.
• Offer customers samples, suggestions for purchase, and ways to prepare produce.
• Participate in in-store product demonstrations and produce sample program.

V. Departmental – Maintenance, Sanitation, and Safety

• Maintain work and sales area in a clean, organized, and safe manner throughout the entire shift.
• Conduct hourly floor monitoring to prevent hazards and ensure safety and cleanliness.
• Follow all health and safety protocol according to EEFC policies and health code standards.
• Follow storage and labeling procedures at all times per EEFC and health department standards.
• Complete daily cleaning tasks and assist with produce deep cleaning schedule.
• Empty trash, recycling, and compost as needed throughout shift.
• Operate all equipment in a safe and appropriate manner.
• Safely use knives .

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• At least 2 years in retail produce.
• Ability to successfully master the varied and numerous tasks of the Clerk I position.
• Must enjoy interacting with and serving the public.
• Must have a friendly and outgoing personality and a positive attitude.
• Retail or other experience serving the public.
• Excellent trouble shooting skills. Logical problem solving skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Organized and methodical in action.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and to stay calm.
• Ability to take direction and follow a checklist.
• The ability to be reliable for regular scheduled shift work.
• Willingness to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work with a sense of urgency to meet timelines and goals.
• Ability to learn advanced knowledge of all products carried in the department.
• Able to produce quality work within the established deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge of organic, natural foods, and non-GMO products.
• Knowledge of organic and commercial growing practices.
• Knowledge of produce preparation.
• Experience receiving, ordering, and training in a produce department.
• Manual dexterity with hazardous equipment.
• Ability to perform routine, repetitive tasks accurately and safely.
• Ability to multitask and keep track of multiple projects at once.
• Proper handling and use of knives and other cutting equipment.
• The ability to handle and touch all different kinds of food.
• Willingness to taste various products in order to expand knowledge base.
• The ability to work in close quarters in a fast paced environment which may include exposure to noisy, wet, humid, cold, or hot conditions.
• General mobility requirements include the ability to: stand or walk for several hours at a time; lift up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis and 75 lbs. with assistance using safe lifting techniques; briefly push and pull carts weighing up to several hundred pounds; twist, turn, squat, and bend frequently; reach above and below shoulders; do repetitive motions; hand and wrist mobility including the ability to repetitively grasp objects; visually read fine print; visually read a computer screen for long periods of time; climb a ladder.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• At least 3+ years in retail produce.
• Knowledge of produce cultivation and maintenance.