Produce/Dept Leader

Kroger•Menomonee Falls, WI

About The Position

The Produce/Dept Leader implements company and division policies to achieve maximum sales and profits in the produce department 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 position oversees produce receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, salad bar operations, housekeeping, supplies, records, and reports. It also supports customer service, store security, employee training and performance, work scheduling, communication, and the implementation of company initiatives. The leader is expected to work cooperatively in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment and perform assigned duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexible 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.
Ability to communicate with employees, customers, and supervisors while staying alert to changing priorities and demands and reacting quickly.
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.
Ability to work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position 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

Implement company and division policies to help achieve maximum produce department sales and profits.
Develop customer relations through personal example and department employees’ friendliness, courtesy, and implementation of company policies.
Assist with store security and handle customer complaints.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, disciplining, demoting, transferring, and evaluating produce department personnel.
Induct and train department employees, including ensuring they can read scales and prices correctly and understand price marking, customer courtesy, and productivity.
Supervise all aspects of salad bar operations.
Discuss practical and efficient schedules for full- and part-time department employees with the store manager.
Maintain employees’ personable, clean, and neat appearance and ensure they are properly uniformed and identified.
Maintain good communication with all store personnel.
Plan, organize, direct, and control produce department activities, and, within the scope of authority, take charge of store operations when the store manager is absent.
Direct the receiving, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order products and supplies to maintain adequate stock and optimum inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain cleanliness throughout the department, including cases, floors, cooler, and preparation area; ensure proper waste disposal.
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, and make changes or recommendations to the store manager.
Promote, communicate, and implement company initiatives and process improvements with direct reports in a positive manner.
Interact promptly, tactfully, calmly, courteously, and professionally.
Manage people and organize workloads; follow directions and seek assistance when needed to resolve customer and business issues.
Manage conflict reasonably, cooperatively, and without confrontation.
Act honestly and with integrity regarding customer and business information.
Provide support and assistance through direct interaction with minors, individuals with special needs, and older adults.
Perform duties assigned by the store manager and/or supervisor.