Produce Assistant Buyer/Receiver (substitute)

Hunger Mountain Co-op • Montpelier, VT

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This role supports the Produce Buyer in meeting department goals by assisting with buying and receiving. The position involves varied hours, including nights, days, and weekends. The Produce Assistant Buyer & Receiver Substitute is responsible for following all department policies and procedures, ensuring safety in the workplace, and being a team player. Key responsibilities include assisting with daily orders, inventory management, communicating with suppliers, entering new products into the POS system, updating sales data, managing pricing, and obtaining credit from suppliers. Additionally, the role involves receiving deliveries, checking quality and accuracy, handling invoices, and maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Merchandising duties include assisting with displays, replenishing and rotating stock, ensuring accurate signage and pricing, informing staff of new products, assisting customers, preparing produce, and maintaining general produce maintenance. The position also requires providing produce information and education, participating in periodic inventory, attending meetings, and performing other assigned tasks.

Requirements

• Prior retail produce experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments under tight time pressures.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented with a strong numerical aptitude.
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with computers and Microsoft Office including use of Excel.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment involving frequently lifting 50 lbs., standing for long periods, and working in a cold environment.
• Manual dexterity with equipment used in moving, unpacking and preparing produce for display.
• Ability to follow all Safety policies and procedures of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Ability to provide excellent service to customers, vendors and co-workers and abide by Hunger Mountain Co-op’s Service Policies.
• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication are essential.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with produce purchasing, merchandising, quality control, organic standards and especially ordering and working with multiple local organic farms is preferred.
• Ability to have some scheduling flexibility with when business needs require it.
• Ability to follow attendance and punctuality policies of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Ability to be physically present onsite at the Co-op to perform the requirements of this position.

Responsibilities

• Follow all department policies and procedures.
• Be responsible for safety in the workplace by creating a safe work environment, reporting safety concerns to a manager, and adhering to all safety rules and regulations.
• Be a team player.
• Attend all required meetings, training, seminars and workshops.
• Fill in and assist buyer and place day-to-day orders with established suppliers within guidelines set by Produce Manager.
• Inventory back stock to determine ordering needs and for periodic financial reporting.
• Communicate daily with Produce buyer regarding market choices and opportunities.
• Enter new products in the Point of Sale (POS) system, as needed.
• Assist in updating, organizing, and maintaining sales data in department spreadsheet.
• Assist in making and maintaining price signs and making price changes in POS system in consultation or at the direction of the Produce Buyer and/or Manager.
• Regularly double check floor pricing to assure consistency with the POS.
• Notify Produce buyer of inconsistencies in pricing and reports.
• Obtain credit from suppliers, as needed.
• Receive deliveries following established procedures, checking for quality and accuracy, while maintaining proper product rotation.
• Follow appropriate procedures for handling invoices.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, including mopping floors and cleaning cooler shelves.
• Assist with displays following guidelines of Produce Manager.
• Replenish and rotate displays as needed; assure accuracy of signage; label items with PLU stickers and/or signs; correct pricing discrepancies and report to Produce Manager.
• Inform floor staff of new products when they arrive and facilitate the stocking and labelling of any new items.
• Assist floor staff with replenishing and maintaining displays, culling several times daily, and following stocking priorities set by Produce Manager.
• Assist customers with produce and special orders; offer samples and suggestions for purchases and preparations in friendly, courteous manner.
• Trim, wash, and prepare produce as needed.
• Pull damaged or spoiled items and dispose with appropriate notification to Produce Manager.
• Assist with general produce maintenance as needed.
• Remove trash, clean cases and mirrors, and keep prep and storage areas in clean, orderly condition.
• Use equipment safely.
• Monitor cooler and walk-in temperatures and follow procedures for handling breakdowns.
• Advise Produce Manager of equipment repair and replacement needs.
• Provide produce information and education to Co-op staff members and customers.
• Participate in periodic inventory.
• Attend department and storewide meetings.
• Perform other tasks assigned by Produce Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed