Produce Manager

Good Harvest Market, Waukesha County's largest independently owned natural and organic grocer, is currently seeking to hire a  full-time, experienced Produce Manager.

Our produce department proudly features a selection of 100% organic produce, sourced locally whenever possible. As the first department most of our customers will walk into, this department sets the stage for their experience in our store. Our Produce Manager will ensure the best experience possible for both our customers and for the development of our produce department staff.

About you:

• Our mission statement speaks to you: “To passionately serve and nourish our community with organic, local, and more sustainable options”.
• You like to turn frowns upside down.
• Going above and beyond is your normal. You can’t help it, because you’re awesome.
• You value independently owned businesses and believe people can ‘vote’ with their dollars.
• You want to work in a family focused, customer friendly environment dedicated to serving only the best product.

About us:

• We pay weekly. Every Friday.
• Our employees receive a generous in-store purchase discount on our exceptional products, also applicable in our onsite restaurant, Hop Harvest & Vine.
• We offer both full and part time staff participation in our Simple IRA Retirement Match plan (must be at least 18 years old).
• We offer full time team members paid holidays, paid time off, enrollment in our group health care plans (medical, dental, vision) and we pay for life and disability benefits.
• When advancement opportunities become available we will always look within first.
• We provide an educational, team oriented environment. Our employees love working together!

Position: Produce Manager

Reports to: General Manager & Ownership

Status: Non-Exempt

Supervises: All members of the produce team

Purpose:  To select, purchase, price, display, and promote fresh produce and to  supervise department staff to meet objectives for sales, margin, inventory turns, labor and customer service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchasing

• Negotiate with suppliers for favorable prices and terms, quality and delivery, following Good Harvest Market product guidelines.
• Purchase produce following product selection guidelines & marketing plan.
• Evaluate suppliers and investigate new sources of supply.
• Purchase for special deals and promotions. Ensure adequate and timely supply of promoted products.
• Ensure  accurate, up-to-date prices of produce products in POS system and shelf tags through coordination with the Pricing Coordinators.
• Receive orders, or ensure proper receiving by other staff in accordance with established procedures.
• Coordinate with Receivers in handling returns and obtaining credit from suppliers for produce items.
• Coordinate inventory counts for produce department.

Merchandising

• Plan  attractive produce displays, using color and texture to enhance; give impression of abundance and quality while maintaining proper storage conditions.
• Ensure displays are replenished, rotated, culled several times daily.
• Trim, wash, bundle produce as needed.
• Attend meetings to plan promotions and storewide merchandising.
• Price produce to achieve margin and sales goals, while maintaining a competitive image.
• Mark down items as needed to reduce losses.
• Offer tastes, samples, suggestions for purchase and ways to prepare products.
• Ensure building and maintaining of in-store displays, according to established  standards for appearance, variety and ease of shopping and stocking.
• Set  preparation & stocking priorities for department staff to ensure tables/coolers are fully stocked and rotated for freshness. Stock items as needed.
• Work with Marketing Manager to ensure accurate, up-to-date uniform department signs.
• Provide product information to customers and staff.
• Visit other stores for price comparisons, product and merchandising ideas.
• Attend trainings and conferences as assigned.

Customer Service

• Greets, assists, and prioritizes customer needs above all. Acts as role model for staff.
• Assist customers with produce questions in prompt friendly courteous manner.
• Assist customers with special orders, and oversee the special orders system to ensure that customers receive their orders.
• Ensure staff is aware of changes in policies and procedures affecting customers.
• Respond to produce department customer suggestions & comments in a reasonable manner.

Department Maintenance

• Coordinate storage of items to be returned to suppliers. See that unsellable items  are properly disposed of. Keep accurate shrinkage records.
• Ensure that produce department shelves, displays, aisles, prep & storage areas in clean, orderly condition, meeting health department & ADA standards.
• Remove trash promptly, sweep and mop retail and backroom area floors frequently.
• Participate in inventory counts.
• Use equipment safely. Ensure maintenance of department equipment in working  order. Monitor cooler temperatures. Notify General Manager of equipment  problems or needs.

Supervision

• Aid human resources in the hiring of qualified applicants following established policy.
• Ensure on-the-job training, including keeping training checklists up-to-date.
• Conduct probationary, semi-annual, and annual performance evaluations.
• Take disciplinary action as needed following established policy, consulting with HR and/or the General Manager first. Create proper documentation.
• Schedule hours for department within budget and review time cards as needed.
• Organize department meetings.
• Ensure department staff is informed of storewide meetings and policy changes.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in setting sales and margin goals for produce departments.
• Review financial reports of department performance and take corrective action as needed.
• Attend Management Team meetings and storewide meetings.
• Perform other tasks assigned by General Manager.
• Perform Manager on Duty shifts if trained and assigned.
• Assist customers in all departments, in prompt friendly courteous manner, referring them to other staff when necessary.
• Answer & route phone calls.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one year of experience managing a retail produce department, including purchasing and managing inventory and shrink, scheduling, training and developing staff, and light department maintenance.
• Knowledge of organic and commercial growing practices, and organic certification regulations.
• Experienced in merchandising.
• Ability to read financial statements; firm grasp of margin and pricing.
• Organized; consistently follows through on commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple demands.
• Ability to project friendly, outgoing personality.
• Manual dexterity with hazardous equipment.
• Ability to lift 70+ pounds.
• Ability to stand for long periods.
• Ability to work in cold, wet conditions.
• Open and flexible availability.
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.