Produce/Dept Leader

Kroger•Laguna Hills, CA

About The Position

Implement 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. Plan, organize, direct, and control department activities, and, within the scope of authority, may take charge of store operations in the store manager’s absence. The role involves overseeing produce receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, salad bar operations, employee training and scheduling, customer service, security, records, and department cleanliness. The Produce/Dept Leader also promotes company initiatives and process improvements, communicates with store personnel, and performs other duties assigned by the store manager or supervisor. The position requires effective people and workload management, communication, sound and timely decision-making, 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 to work flexible schedules, including mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as work demands.
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 and remain alert amid changing priorities and demands.
Ability to react quickly and make intelligent decisions.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
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 the sale of merchandise.
Ability to manage people and organize workloads.
Ability to follow directions and seek assistance when necessary.
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

Build customer relations through personal example of friendliness and courtesy and by implementing company policies.
Remain alert and assist with store security; handle customer complaints perceptively.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, firing, discipline, demotion, transfer, and evaluation of produce department personnel.
Orient and train department employees, including ensuring they can read scales and prices correctly and understand price marking, customer courtesy, and productivity expectations.
Supervise all aspects of salad bar operations.
Discuss efficient and practical work schedules for full- and part-time employees with the store manager.
Maintain a personable, clean, and neat appearance among department employees and ensure they are properly uniformed and identified.
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 the receiving, storage, 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 housekeeping in all department areas, including cleaning or defrosting cases on 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 to direct reports in a positive manner.
Interact promptly, tactfully, calmly, courteously, and professionally.
Work cooperatively in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment and manage conflict reasonably, cooperatively, and without confrontation.
Handle customer and business information honestly and with 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 older adults.
Perform other duties assigned by the store manager and/or supervisor.