PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Wheeling, WV

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 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 when the store manager is absent, within the role’s authority. It oversees produce receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, staffing, customer service, salad bar operations, records, and department cleanliness. The leader also develops and supports department employees through training, communication, scheduling, and recommendations regarding personnel decisions. The position requires flexibility to work a range of shifts and weekends or holidays as business needs require, and the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexible mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as work demands, 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.
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.
Skills and abilities for effective production, merchandising, and customer service related to merchandise sales.
Ability to work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
Ability to manage conflict reasonably, cooperatively, and without confrontation.
Honesty and integrity in handling customer and business information.
Ability to follow directions and seek assistance when necessary.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

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.
Assist with store security and handle customer complaints appropriately.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, discipline, demotion, transfer, and evaluation of produce department personnel.
Properly indoctrinate department employees and ensure they can read scales and prices correctly.
Train employees in price marking, customer courtesy, and productivity, and ensure that learned skills are properly used.
Supervise all aspects of salad bar operations.
Discuss practical and efficient schedules for full-time and part-time employees with the store manager.
Maintain a personable, clean, and neat appearance among department personnel, ensuring 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 within the scope of authority.
Direct the receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Ensure adequate stock and supplies through proper ordering and maintain inventories at optimum levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain effective housekeeping, 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 with direct reports in a positive manner.
Remain 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 in a reasonable, nonconfrontational, and cooperative manner.
Handle customer and business information honestly and with integrity.
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.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.