Produce Lead

Job Brief

Williams is looking for our next Produce Lead! Candidates should have a desire to learn more about Produce, have exceptional customer service and communication skills-ordering experience a plus.

Position Title: Produce Lead
Department: Produce
Supervisory Responsibility: Not responsible for supervising others.
Reports To: Produce Manager
Region: Oregon/SW Washington
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt

Position Description: Assists with the coordination and execution of department operations and work, including ordering and inventory control. Cleans, trims, packages, processes, rotates and stocks produce. Provides exceptional customer service and contributes to a positive and collaborative team environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

General

• Contributes to a positive and supportive work environment.
• Demonstrates an adaptable and flexible work style, shifting tasks as priorities and circumstances change.
• Demonstrates ability to multi-task and manage own time. Adjusts priorities, productivity, efficiency and speed based on needs and conditions of department.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as cooperatively within a team.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Understands and follows through on verbal and written directions.
• Speaks up. Shares ideas and feedback that contributes to success of store and company.
• Conserves company resources. Works in a manner consistent with company Vision, Mission and Values and sustainability program.
• Observes all company rules and policies.
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

Customer Service

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information and assists in locating product throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Adapts service based on customer needs, handles difficult customer situations and seeks solutions to delight the customer.

Position Specific Functions

• Orders produce according to anticipated sales and seasonal needs. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve sales and margin goals.
• Guides the work of department clerks, including planning and assigning work, ensuring quality standards, training staff and overseeing their productivity.
• Partners with department management team to maintain excellent department conditions, including appearance, cleanliness, signage, staffing and service levels.
• Assists customers with product selection. Shares product knowledge with customers. Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
• Maintains awareness of current ads, promotions, holidays and events. Plans for weekly ads, events and holidays using tools and reports. Works with Produce Manager to understand and respond to current store trends.
• Builds displays and arranges department products to make attractive presentations, highlighting featured/unique/seasonal items.
• Complies with all company organic standards.
• Maintains professional vendor relationships.
• Completes customer special orders thoroughly and provides follow-through as needed.
• Stocks and rotates products with attention to product quality and expiration dates.
• Cleans, trims, packages, prices, rotates and stocks produce department products.
• Maintains accurate pricing and signage that meet merchandising standards.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of products throughout the department and understanding of culinary terminology, product labeling and common dietary restrictions.
• Coordinates with Promotions department to plan and conduct in-store tastings.
• Follows company procedures for processing invoices, transfers and credits.
• Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
• Maintains the organization, rotation and cleanliness of back stock areas.
• May participate in other activities, such as inventories, scheduling and performance reviews.
• Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.
• Notifies department manager or Manager On Duty of any situations relating to customer service, safety, productivity, security or any other situation that may have an adverse effect on the store.

Required Permits and Licenses: Food Handler’s card

Facilities, Sanitation, Work Safety and Food Safety

• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and regulatory agencies.
• Performs janitorial tasks in compliance with sanitation standards established by store policy and state and local health departments. Contributes to store cleanliness.
• Maintains equipment, informs store/department management of any problems.
• Reports all safety concerns and work related injuries to management.
• Frequent handwashing is required.

Tools and Equipment Used

This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: knives and slicer, scale, heat wrapper, temp gun, robot coupe, cart, hand truck, baler, dishwasher, pallet jack, computer, and office equipment.

Position Requirements

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Friendly and customer service oriented, with an interest in food and cooking.
• Previous food service, retail or grocery experience required.
• Previous produce experience in a retail, farm or distribution environment preferred.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Previous ordering/inventory management experience preferred.
• Basic math and computation skills required.
• Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency required. Experience with Excel and inventory software preferred.
• Skills to plan, prioritize and delegate work.
• Skills to work independently, effectively manage own time and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Skills to adapt to the shifting priorities and needs of a retail environment.
• Skills to exercise good judgment at all times.
• Self-motivated, with high attention to detail, quality and presentation.
• Skills to collaborate and communicate effectively and professionally in a team environment and one on one with coworkers, supervisors and customers.
• Skills to manage difficult customer interactions required.
• Skills to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule in order to meet needs of the department.
• Ability to reliably meet required work schedule and adhere to company attendance policy.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy work level.
• Continuously required to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Sitting seldom required.
• Continuously required to: lift 1-10 pounds; use arms, hands and wrists; grasping/squeezing.
• Frequently required to: lift 11-50 pounds; carry 1-20 pounds; push/pull 1-30 pounds; bend/stoop; twist; reach at/above shoulder; reach below shoulder.
• Occasionally required to: carry 21-50 pounds; push/pull 31-80 pounds; crouch/squat.
• Frequency of climbing stairs and ladders dependent on location.

Work Environment

• Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler, and outside.
• There may be exposure to dust, mold, gluten, fragrances and other fumes and airborne particles, fresh fruits, vegetables, house plants, and flowers.
• Work requires use of and working in proximity to common commercial cleaning agents.
• This position works on or around moving machinery or moving parts.

Important Notice: The job duties, responsibilities, requirements and conditions, physical requirements and work environment listed in this job description are examples of the tasks that a staff member may be required to perform and may vary slightly based on location. New Seasons Market reserves the right to revise the job description at any time and to require staff members to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of business change.