PRODUCE/ASST DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Produce Assistant Department Leader helps create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service and maintains a safe, clean environment that encourages customers to return. The role supports the department’s sales and profit goals, ensures established quality assurance standards are met, and monitors Produce department functions and activities. The position also demonstrates the company’s values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The leader works with associates to set performance goals, develop schedules, train and develop team members, and support performance appraisals. The role assists with department planning and financial results, promotions, pricing, inventory, product quality, food safety, and compliance. The position also responds to customer questions and helps customers find products and learn about produce specials.

Requirements

Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of basic math, including counting, addition, and subtraction.
Ability to handle stressful situations.
Must obtain a current food handlers permit once employed.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
Any management experience.
Any produce or retail experience.
Ability to speak, read, and/or write in a second language.

Responsibilities

Promote trust and respect among associates and maintain a positive attitude.
Communicate company, department, and job-specific information to associates.
Establish department performance goals and empower associates to meet or exceed targets through teamwork.
Develop adequate schedules to manage customer volume.
Train and develop associates and participate in the performance appraisal process.
Help customers feel welcome and appreciated by answering questions about products, making suggestions, and locating products.
Inform customers about produce specials and offer samples.
Inspect products for quality and freshness and take appropriate action.
Develop and implement a department business plan to achieve desired results.
Create and execute sales promotions in partnership with store management.
Inform and educate associates about current, upcoming, and special in-store promotions, particularly those affecting the department.
Prepare and submit seasonal critiques for the sales and merchandising supervisor.
Implement the department’s period promotional plan.
Assist management with the store and department budget, expense control, profit and loss reviews, and appropriate actions based on financial reports.
Schedule daily, weekly, and monthly price changes by updating shelf tags and promotional signs.
Plan and organize inventory; monitor stocking conditions and discrepancies; and train associates on inventory, stocking, and Computer Assisted Ordering (CAO).
Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers and maintain temperature logs.
Reinforce safety programs by following safety procedures, identifying unsafe conditions, inspecting equipment, reporting repair needs, and reporting customer or employee accidents.
Report safety risks, issues, and illegal activity, including robbery, theft, or fraud.
Follow local, state, and federal laws and company guidelines.
Work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
Manage conflict reasonably and cooperatively, without confrontation.
Handle customer and business information honestly and with integrity.
Follow directions and seek assistance when needed to resolve customer and business issues.
Provide support and assistance through direct interaction with minors, individuals with special needs, and older adults.
Perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.