PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Highlands Ranch, CO

About The Position

The Produce Department Leader implements company and division policies to achieve maximum 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, and may take charge of store operations within the scope of authority when the store manager is absent. The leader oversees employees and department operations, including customer service, training, scheduling, receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, salad bar operations, cleanliness, and required records and reports. The position works cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment, responds to changing priorities, and supports customers including minors, individuals with special needs, and older adults. The essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexibly across mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights as work demands.
Willingness 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 remain alert and respond 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 merchandise sales.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Build customer relations through personal example and by ensuring department personnel are friendly and courteous and follow 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 department employees and ensure they can read scales and prices correctly.
Train employees in price marking, customer courtesy, and productivity, and ensure they apply the skills learned.
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, may take charge of store operations when the store manager is absent.
Direct the receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order products and supplies to maintain adequate stock and optimum department inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain cleanliness throughout the department, including cases, floors, cooler, and preparation area; ensure proper waste disposal.
Keep adequate supplies available, including bags and pricing and marking equipment.
Continuously analyze department space allocation, design, displays, price marking, rotation, inventories, and personnel; make changes or recommendations to the store manager as appropriate.
Promote, communicate, and implement company initiatives and process improvements to direct reports in a positive manner.
Be prompt, tactful, calm, courteous, and professional in interactions.
Manage people and organize workloads effectively.
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.
Act honestly and with integrity regarding customer and business information.
Follow directions and seek assistance when necessary 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 functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.