PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Birmingham, MI

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. It directs the receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce; maintains stock and supplies through appropriate ordering; oversees salad bar operations; and maintains departmental records, cleanliness, and organization. The leader develops customer relations, trains and supports department employees, and communicates with store personnel and management. The position requires flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as needed, and weekends and holidays when required. The employee must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

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 merchandise sales.
Willingness to work flexible mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as work demands, and availability to work weekends and holidays as 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.
Properly indoctrinate department employees and ensure they can read scales and prices correctly.
Provide knowledge and training in price marking, customer courtesy, and productivity, ensuring learned skills are used appropriately.
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 staff and ensure proper uniforms and identification.
Maintain good communication with all store personnel.
Plan, organize, direct, and control produce department activities; take charge of store operations in the store manager’s absence when within scope of authority.
Direct receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order appropriately to maintain adequate stock and supplies and optimum department inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain cleanliness and housekeeping in all areas, including cleaning or defrosting cases according to schedule, cleaning floors, keeping coolers and preparation areas orderly, and properly disposing of waste and materials.
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 to direct reports positively.
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, 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.