PRODUCE/ASST DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co. • Portland, OR

11d

About The Position

The Produce/Assistant Department Leader creates an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service and maintains a safe, clean environment that encourages customers to return. The role is responsible for achieving department sales and profit goals, controlling quality assurance standards, and monitoring Produce department functions and activities. The position also demonstrates the company's values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

The leader supports department associates through communication, scheduling, goal setting, training, and performance development. The role provides customer assistance, promotes produce items and specials, inspects product quality and freshness, and executes merchandising and sales plans. It also supports budgeting, expense control, inventory management, pricing, food-safety monitoring, and safety compliance.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or GED.
• Management experience.
• Produce or retail experience.
• Ability to speak, read, and/or write a second language.

Responsibilities

• Promote trust and respect among associates and maintain a positive attitude.
• Communicate company, department, and job-specific information to associates.
• Set department performance goals and empower associates to meet or exceed targets through teamwork.
• Develop schedules that adequately manage customer volume.
• Train and develop associates and participate in the performance appraisal process.
• Welcome customers, answer questions about products in the department and store, make suggestions, and locate products.
• Inform customers about produce specials and offer product 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 department associates about current, upcoming, and special in-store promotions.
• Prepare and submit seasonal critiques for the sales and merchandising supervisor.
• Implement the department's period promotional plan.
• Assist management with the store or department budget, expense control, profit and loss reviews, and appropriate follow-up on financial reports.
• Schedule daily, weekly, and monthly price changes by updating shelf tags and promotional signs.
• Plan and organize inventory processes, monitor inventory and stocking conditions, note discrepancies, and train associates on inventory, stocking, and Computer Assisted Ordering (CAO).
• Maintain proper temperatures in cases and coolers and maintain temperature logs.
• Reinforce safety programs by following procedures, identifying unsafe conditions, inspecting equipment for preventive maintenance, and notifying store management about repairs or customer and employee accidents.
• Report safety risks or 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.
• Act with honesty and integrity when handling customer and business information.
• 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.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles.
• Paid time off, including holiday and sick pay, based on eligibility and length of service.
• Free counseling through the Employee Assistance Program.
• Free, confidential financial tools and coaching through Goldman Sachs Ayco.
• Associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, and technology.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over a career through the Continuing Education program.
• Access to training programs and career pathways.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed