Produce Assistant Manager

Hunger Mountain Co-op•Montpelier, VT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

To provide a fully stocked and well-managed Produce Department. Assist the Produce Manager in maintaining smooth/efficient operations of the Produce Department, including customer service, stocking, merchandising, buying/receiving, sales/promotions, reporting, and cleanliness. Also assist the Produce Manager in meeting goals for sales, margin, profitability, and labor.

Requirements

Management experience preferred; supervisory or leadership experience and skills required.
Ability to coach, counsel, train and motivate staff.
Knowledge of natural foods, produce and working directly with farmers.
Knowledge of produce purchasing, merchandising and quality control.
Knowledge of organic standards.
Experience dealing directly with local farms.
Retail produce experience.
Computer skills to include familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook, and point of sale or inventory management systems.
Ability to handle multiple projects.
Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.
Ability to provide excellent service to customers, vendors and coworkers.
Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment where teamwork and constant communication are essential.
Ability to regularly lift 50 lbs.
Ability to stand for long periods of time.
Ability to work in cold, wet environments.
Ability to work with hazardous equipment.
Ability to follow the safety policies and procedures of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
Ability to be physically present onsite at the Co-op to perform the requirements of this position.
Excellent attendance/punctuality.
Well organized and pays attention to details.
Excellent communication – verbal and written.
Sense of humor.

Responsibilities

Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers, including employees, vendors, and shoppers.
Assist customers with produce questions in a prompt, friendly, courteous manner, referring to other staff when necessary.
Availability to staff and customers to ensure efficient and friendly customer service; provide support to department staff in ensuring excellent customer service through ongoing coaching and training.
Offer suggestions to customers for purchases and ways to prepare products.
Train new staff and provide on-going staff training as assigned by Produce Manager.
Supervise the daily work assignments of Produce staff.
Help facilitate communications between Produce Buyer/Receiver, Produce Asst Buyer/Receiver, Produce staff and Produce Manager. Prioritize daily check-ins with members of the department.
Assist in planning and facilitating regular departmental meetings.
Report staffing/personnel issues and customer/product issues directly to Produce Manager.
Oversee the stocking of all displays. Participate in stocking as needed.
Conduct staff performance evaluations in accordance with the union contract (collective bargaining agreement).
Ensure staff uses safe work practices.
Assist in administering mutual resolution conversations or work problem resolution procedures to Produce staff as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
Assist in scheduling and staffing, including filling open shifts with substitute staff.
Ensure displays, shelves, bins, and coolers are fully stocked.
Set up displays following guidelines of Produce Manager.
Replenish and rotate displays, culling several times daily, and following stocking priorities set by Produce Manager.
Supervise the rotation of older stock to the front, making room for new stock; organize/maintain back stock to assure efficient shelf stocking and inventory management.
Ensure accuracy of signage and pricing.
Support the Produce Buyer/Receiver in negotiating with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery within guidelines established by Produce Manager.
Support the Produce Buyer/Receiver in evaluating vendors and researching new sources of supply.
Assist in providing pricing guidelines to Produce Buyer/Receiver.
Receive deliveries following established procedures, checking carefully for quality and accuracy.
Place orders with established suppliers within guidelines set by Produce Manager.
Obtain credit from suppliers as needed.
Maintain and process credits on monthly credit log
Participate in review of department financial reports and department goal setting.
Be a team player. A team player has the “willingness to consider the effects of one’s own decisions on others and has the ability to prioritize larger Co-op goals before individual concerns.”
Take responsibility for self-education and staying informed.
Be responsible for safety in the workplace by creating a safe work environment, reporting safety concerns to a manager or member of the Safety Committee, and adhering to safety rules and regulations.
Follow department policies and procedures.
Maintain/improve spreadsheets, ordering and inventory tools.
Maintain margins, pricing, sales, and reporting in Catapult
Generate weekly sales predictions from Catapult based on last year’s sales
Ensure that department area is kept clean and orderly; meet all Department of Health regulations.
Ensure department equipment remains in working order and advise Produce Manager of problems.
Properly dispose of unsellable items following established procedures.
Prepare for and participate in regular inventory counts.
Establish a regular cleaning schedule of the Produce department.
Offer samples and suggestions for purchase and preparation.
Trims, washes, bunches produce following priorities set by Produce Manager.
Remove trash, clean cases, 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.