PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Hayes, VA

6d•$21 - $24

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 oversees personnel, customer service, merchandising, product receiving and storage, ordering, inventory, salad bar operations, scheduling, cleanliness, supplies, records, and reporting. The position requires effective communication, quick decision-making, adaptability to changing priorities, and the ability to work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Willingness and availability to work 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 knowledge of store operations.
Communication aptitude with employees, customers, and supervisors, and alertness and ability to 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 of friendliness and courtesy and implementation of company policies.
Remain alert and assist with store security.
Recognize and handle customer complaints.
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 learned skills are used 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; take charge of store operations in the store manager’s absence when within the scope of authority.
Direct receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order products and supplies appropriately to maintain adequate stock and optimum inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain effective housekeeping, including cleaning or defrosting cases according to schedule, cleaning floors, keeping coolers and preparation areas orderly, and disposing of waste and materials properly.
Maintain adequate supplies, 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 with direct reports in a positive manner.
Be prompt, tactful, calm, courteous, and professional in interactions.
Manage people and organize workloads.
Perform duties assigned by the store manager and/or supervisor.
Work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
Manage conflict reasonably, cooperatively, and without confrontation.
Handle customer and business information with honesty and integrity.
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.