PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Fort Collins, CO

About The Position

The Produce/Dept Leader implements company and division policies to achieve maximum 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 in the store manager’s absence, within the scope of authority. The leader directs produce receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, staffing, training, and salad bar operations. They promote customer relations and courtesy, maintain department cleanliness and supplies, communicate with store personnel, maintain records and reports, and identify opportunities to improve department operations. The position requires flexibility to respond to changing priorities and the ability to work cooperatively in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexibly 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 and preparation, and general knowledge of store operations.
Ability to communicate with employees, customers, and supervision 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.
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, 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-time and part-time employees with the store manager.
Maintain a personable, clean, and neat appearance among department staff and ensure proper uniforms and identification.
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 receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order appropriately to maintain adequate stock and supplies and optimum inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain housekeeping throughout the department, including cleaning or defrosting cases according to schedule, cleaning floors, keeping the cooler and preparation area 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, inventories, and personnel; make changes periodically or recommend them to the store manager.
Promote, communicate, and implement company initiatives and process improvements positively with direct reports.
Be prompt, tactful, calm, courteous, and professional in all 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, 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 older adults.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.