Produce Department Manager

PRODUCE DEPARTMENT MANAGER

Reports to: Store Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

SUMMARY

As a Produce Department Manager, you will oversee the daily operations of our produce section, ensuring the highest quality fruits and vegetables are available for our customers. In this role, you will manage inventory, merchandising, and staff while maintaining food safety and sanitation standards. You will work closely with store leadership to maximize sales, reduce shrink, and create an appealing shopping experience. If you have a passion for fresh produce, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to excellence, we invite you to apply!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee all aspects of the produce department operations
• Ensure product quality and freshness
• Manage inventory levels, conduct ordering, and minimize waste to maintain profitability
• Ensure food safety compliance and sanitation standards
• Lead, supervise and train staff
• Provide quality customer service 
• Maintain high standards for product presentation, ensuring displays are fresh, attractive, and well-stocked to maximize sales
• Monitor sales, analyze trends, and implement strategies to drive department profitability
• Address customer inquiries, provide recommendations, and ensure a positive shopping experience
• Ensure proper storage and rotation of products to maintain quality and minimize shrinkage
• Collaborate with store leadership on pricing, promotions, and marketing initiatives
• Maintain equipment
• Collaborate with Store Management 
• Perform all other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Previous experience in a produce department, grocery retail or food retail environment
• Prior leadership and management experience
• Strong knowledge of produce handling, storage and food safety regulation
• Ability to manage inventory, control shrink and optimize sales
• Excellent organizational, communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to train, lead and develop a team
• Experience with ordering, vendor relations, and merchandising techniques
• Basic computer skills and software knowledge

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is typically performed in normal grocery store produce department conditions with frequent exposure to coolers, misting systems, and damp produce
• Exposure to sharp equipment requiring high attention to safety
• Requires the ability to multi-task 
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule including a variety of shifts, days, evenings, nights, and weekends including overtime, as needed

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach to stock shelves
• Must have visual and hearing acuity
• Consistently perform repetitive tasks
• Ability to use hands and fingers to reach, lift and carry 50 pounds on a regular basis
• Manual dexterity for the ability to use knives, cutters and other tools for trimming and preparing produce
• Ability to speak to, hear, and understand others via phone and in person in English

Customer Service

• Create customer loyalty by delivering outstanding customer service, executing sales promotions, ensuring quality foods products are available to sell 

Honesty & Integrity

• Always maintain professional and ethical behaviors
• Create accurate records including Waste Logs
• Maintain confidentiality regarding private employee matters

Authenticity

• Express genuine care for the team, the customers, and the business

Maintain High Standards

• Always perform tasks to the highest standards

Positive attitude

• Take pride in executing job tasks and maintaining a clean, organized work area

Teamwork

• Maintain open communication with all co-workers
• Support team members and cooperate in providing excellent guest service

Accountability

• Listen openly to performance feedback and incorporate suggestions into work processes and attitude

Reliability

• Arrive punctual and ready to begin work assignments
• Deliver quality work product using resources and time allocated