PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Bedford, IN

About The Position

The Produce Department Leader implements company and division policies to maximize sales and profits in the produce departments while demonstrating the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The role plans, organizes, directs, and controls produce department activities and may take charge of store operations, within the scope of authority, when the store manager is absent. The leader directs produce receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, employee training, and salad bar operations, and maintains department cleanliness, supplies, records, and reports. The role also promotes customer service, supports store security, handles customer complaints, communicates with store personnel, and carries out duties assigned by the store manager or supervisor. The position requires flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as operational needs demand, and availability to work weekends and holidays as needed. The leader must be able to work cooperatively in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment, manage conflict constructively, make decisions quickly, and perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexible mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights as work demands.
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.
Ability to act honestly and with integrity regarding customer and business information.
Ability to follow directions and seek assistance when needed.
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

Develop customer relations through personal example of friendliness and courtesy and implementation of company policies.
Remain alert and assist with store security.
Handle customer complaints perceptively.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, disciplining, demoting, transferring, and evaluating produce department personnel.
Indoctrinate department employees and ensure they can read scales and prices correctly.
Train employees in price marking and promote customer courtesy, productivity, and proper use of learned skills.
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, and 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 adequately to maintain optimum department inventory levels and sufficient stock and supplies.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain housekeeping throughout the department, 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 on hand, 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 positively.
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 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.