Produce Assistant

Natural Grocers • Hailey, ID

5d • 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 produce department, and assisting with inventory management, profitability, and shrink minimization. The assistant will also be responsible for daily department setup, proper produce handling and storage, ensuring organic produce standards are met, and receiving incoming orders. Additionally, the role includes offering special orders, assisting in training and monitoring department personnel, conducting product demonstrations, addressing performance issues, handling register functions, and maintaining customer and employee safety and security. The position requires increasing product knowledge, utilizing email and IS programs, and potentially completing closing cash processes. A schedule based on store needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, is expected, with a standard 40-hour work week. This role has limited Manager on Duty functions and is not intended to be the overall store Manager on Duty. All employees are expected to be hands-on and contribute to the company's success.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs.
• Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
• Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
• Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
• Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
• Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
• Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.
• Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
• Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.

Nice To Haves

• Natural foods background is a plus.
• 1 year of experience supervising others preferred.

Responsibilities

• Providing World Class Customer Service as a number one priority.
• 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.
• Performing limited Manager on Duty functions.
• Being "hands on" and doing whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.

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
• Npower 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 (Full-Time Crew Members)
• Paid Parental Leave (Full-Time Crew Members)
• Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance) (Full-Time Crew Members)
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance (Full-Time Crew Members)
• Company Paid Life Insurance (Full-Time Crew Members)
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED