STR MGMT/PRODUCE DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Orland Park, IL

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 produce receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, staffing, training, customer service, and salad bar operations. They maintain department cleanliness, supplies, records, and reports; communicate with store personnel; and assess department operations to identify changes or recommend improvements. The position requires flexibility to work the hours and days that business demands, including weekends and holidays as needed.

Requirements

Be willing to work flexible hours, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights as work demands.
Be willing and available to work weekends and holidays as needed.
Understand key components of department operations, including people management, merchandising, computer-assisted ordering, inventory management, shrink control, customer service, labor scheduling, and expense control.
Have working knowledge of produce preparation and general knowledge of store operations.
Communicate effectively with employees, customers, and supervisors; remain alert and react quickly to changing priorities and demands.
Have effective written and oral communication skills.
Make intelligent decisions quickly.
Handle stressful situations tactfully and calmly and make a positive impression on associates and customers.
Have 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.
A past work record that reflects dependability and integrity.

Responsibilities

Develop customer relations through personal example of friendliness and courtesy and by implementing company policies.
Assist with store security and handle customer complaints.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, discipline, demotion, transfer, and evaluation of produce department personnel.
Indoctrinate and train department employees, including ensuring they can read scales and prices correctly and use price-marking skills appropriately.
Supervise all aspects of salad bar operations.
Discuss efficient and practical schedules for full-time and part-time employees with the store manager.
Maintain a personable, clean, and neat appearance among department personnel and ensure they are properly uniformed and identified.
Maintain good communication with all store personnel.
Plan, organize, direct, and control produce department activities; may take charge of store operations in the store manager’s absence, within the scope of authority.
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.
Maintain adequate supplies, 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 in a positive manner.
Be prompt, tactful, calm, courteous, and professional in all interactions.
Manage people and organize workloads effectively.
Perform duties as assigned by the store manager and/or supervisor.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.