PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Castle Pines, 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 core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The role plans, organizes, directs, and controls department activities, including staffing, training, merchandising, ordering, inventory, customer service, and sanitation. Within the scope of authority, the leader may take charge of store operations when the store manager is absent. The role requires effective communication, sound and timely decision-making, flexibility, and the ability to work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment. The leader must manage conflict constructively, act honestly and with integrity regarding customer and business information, and support customers and community members, 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 store operations.
Strong communication with employees, customers, and supervisors, and the ability to stay alert 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 merchandise sales.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Develop customer relations through personal example, friendliness, courtesy, and implementation of company policies.
Remain alert and assist with store security.
Handle customer complaints and 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 effectively.
Supervise all aspects of salad bar operations.
Discuss efficient and practical work schedules for full-time 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 all store personnel.
Plan, organize, direct, and control produce department activities and, within the scope of authority, take charge of store operations when the store manager is absent.
Direct the receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order appropriately to maintain adequate stock, supplies, and optimum department inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain cleanliness throughout department areas, including cleaning or defrosting cases on schedule, cleaning floors, keeping coolers and preparation areas orderly, and disposing of waste and materials properly.
Keep adequate supplies available, 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 with direct reports in a positive manner.
Interact promptly, tactfully, calmly, courteously, and professionally.
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, nonconfrontationally, and cooperatively.
Act honestly and with integrity regarding 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/or older adults.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.