Produce Assistant

Natural Grocers•Jefferson, MO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Produce Assistant is responsible for assisting the Produce Manager in the successful operation and profitability of the produce department. This role involves providing world-class customer service, maintaining an inviting and well-stocked department, assisting with ordering and inventory, and contributing to department profitability by minimizing shrink and maximizing effective purchasing. The assistant ensures the produce rack is consistently fresh, full, and abundant, handles culling, crisping, rotating, and proper storage of produce, and verifies that only certified organic produce is ordered and received. They also ensure all in-stock products meet company standards and that tools and equipment are cleaned according to health department and company standards. The position includes receiving incoming produce orders, offering special orders, assisting in training department personnel, conducting demos, addressing performance issues with the manager, and performing register functions like backup cashiering, managing returns, and handling customer complaints. Additionally, the Produce Assistant is responsible for customer and employee safety, answering customer questions, continually increasing product knowledge, and utilizing email and IS programs. Completing DSR and closing cash processes may be required in the absence of other qualified employees. The role requires working a schedule based on store needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, for five days and 40 hours per week, and attending mandatory store meetings. While having limited Manager on Duty functions, it is not intended to be the overall Manager on Duty for the store. All employees are expected to be 'hands on' and perform any tasks assigned to ensure the company thrives.

Requirements

Ability to pass food safety training courses and/or certifications as required by law and maintain compliance by keeping certifications up to date and registered if applicable.
Ability to manage changing priorities and to stay focused with the task at hand.
Possess a sense of urgency in the completion of tasks.
Possess excellent customer service skills.
Highly organized with great attention to detail.
Ability to take direction and follow through.
Must be cashier trained and able to count currency.
Proficient in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

High School diploma, GED or equivalent preferred.
1 year of experience in grocery, retail or produce environment preferred.
Natural foods background is a plus.
1 year of experience supervising others preferred.

Responsibilities

Providing World Class Customer Service as a number one priority.
Exemplifying integrity, responsibility, and excellence and adhering to all policies.
Creating an inviting, full and shopable produce department.
Assisting the produce department manager in ordering for the department and maintaining accurate inventory levels.
Assisting the department manager in managing margin, COGs and overall department profitability including minimizing shrink and maximizing effective purchasing.
Setting and maintaining the department on a daily basis including ensuring that the produce rack is consistently fresh, full and abundant throughout the day.
Culling, crisping, rotating and properly handling/storing produce.
Ensuring only certified organic produce is ordered and received.
Ensuring all in-stock products/conditions meet company standards.
Ensuring that all tools and equipment are cleaned in accordance with health department and company standards.
Receiving all incoming produce orders per company standards.
Offering and following up on special orders.
Assisting in training and monitoring department personnel.
Conducting active and passive demos.
Working with the department manager to address performance issues within the department.
Handling register functions including backup cashiering, managing customer returns, addressing customer complaints, and covering register shift changes, including those for scheduled breaks.
Maintaining the safety and security of customers and employees.
Answering customer questions per company standards and policies, including the use of Structure/Function statements and/or statements of nutritional support.
Continually increasing product knowledge.
Utilizing email and IS programs as needed.
Completing DSR and the closing cash processes may be required absence of any other qualified employee.
Working a schedule based on store needs which includes evenings, weekends, holidays.
Attending mandatory store meetings.
Accomplishing any and all tasks assigned to them by their Manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.

Benefits

Birthday Bonus Pay
Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually)
Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure
Paid Nutrition Education
good4u Crew Member Discount
N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program)
Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases
Advancement Opportunities and Career Development
Health and Wellness Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Referral Program
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance)
Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
Company Paid Life Insurance
Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance
Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match