PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Smithfield, VA

About The Position

The Produce Department Leader implements company and division policies to maximize sales and profits in the produce department while demonstrating the company’s values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The role plans, organizes, directs, and controls department activities, including receiving, storing, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory management, and salad bar operations. The leader develops customer relations, trains and supports employees, maintains department cleanliness and supplies, and ensures effective communication and compliance with company initiatives. Within the scope of authority, the leader may take charge of store operations when the store manager is absent.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexible mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as work demands, and availability to work weekends and holidays as needed.
Understanding of key department operations, including people management, merchandising, computer-assisted ordering, inventory management, shrink control, customer service, labor scheduling, and expense control.
Working knowledge of produce preparation and general knowledge of store operations.
Ability to communicate with employees, customers, and supervisors and react quickly to changing priorities and demands.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to make intelligent decisions quickly.
Ability to handle stressful situations tactfully and calmly and make a positive impression on associates and customers.
Abilities and skills for effective production, merchandising, and customer service related to the sale of merchandise.

Nice To Haves

Produce work experience or similar experience in food preparation.
Past work record reflecting dependability and integrity.

Responsibilities

Develop customer relations through personal example of friendliness and courtesy and implementation of company policies.
Assist with store security and handle customer complaints.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, discipline, demotion, transfer, and evaluation of produce department personnel.
Induct and train department employees, including ensuring they can read scales and prices correctly and properly apply price-marking skills.
Supervise all aspects of salad bar operations.
Discuss efficient and practical schedules for full- and part-time employees with the store manager.
Maintain a personable, clean, and neat appearance among department employees and ensure they are properly uniformed and identified.
Maintain good communication with store personnel.
Plan, organize, direct, and control produce department activities and, within the scope of authority, take charge of store operations in the store manager’s absence.
Direct the receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order appropriately to maintain adequate stock and supplies and optimum department inventory levels.
Maintain, submit, and effectively use required records and reports.
Maintain cleanliness throughout the department, including cleaning or defrosting cases on schedule, cleaning floors, keeping coolers and preparation areas orderly, and properly disposing of waste and materials.
Keep adequate supplies on hand, including bags and pricing and marking equipment.
Continuously analyze department operations, including space allocation, design, displays, price marking, rotation, inventory, and personnel; make changes or recommendations to the store manager as appropriate.
Promote, communicate, and implement company initiatives and process improvements to direct reports positively.
Interact promptly, tactfully, calmly, courteously, and professionally.
Manage people and organize workloads.
Perform duties assigned by the store manager and/or supervisor.
Work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment and manage conflict reasonably, cooperatively, and without confrontation.
Handle customer and business information honestly and with integrity, follow directions, and seek assistance when needed to resolve issues.
Provide support and assistance through direct interaction with minors, individuals with special needs, and older adults.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.