PRODUCE/DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Plano, TX

About The Position

The Produce/Dept Leader implements company and division policies to maximize sales and profits in the produce department while demonstrating the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The position plans, organizes, directs, and controls produce department activities and may take charge of store operations when the store manager is absent, within the scope of authority. The role oversees employees and department operations, including customer service, training, salad bar operations, scheduling discussions, receiving, storage, pricing, merchandising, ordering, inventory, records, housekeeping, and supplies. The leader analyzes department operations and may make changes or recommendations to the store manager. The position requires flexibility to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, or nights as needed, and weekends and holidays when needed. The employee must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Willingness to work flexible mornings, afternoons, evenings, or 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 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 tactfully and calmly handle stressful situations 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 friendly and courteous conduct 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.
Indoctrinate department employees and ensure they can read scales and prices correctly.
Train employees in price marking and reinforce customer courtesy, productivity, and proper use of learned skills.
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 employees and ensure they are properly uniformed and identified.
Maintain good communication with 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, storing, pricing, and merchandising of produce products.
Order products and supplies to maintain adequate stock and optimum department inventory levels.
Maintain and submit required records and reports and use them effectively.
Maintain housekeeping throughout the department, including cleaning or defrosting cases according to 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 operations, including space allocation, design, displays, price marking, rotation, inventories, and personnel; make periodic changes or recommendations to the store manager.
Promote, communicate, and implement company initiatives and process improvements positively to direct reports.
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.
Manage conflict reasonably, nonconfrontationally, and cooperatively.
Act honestly and with integrity regarding customer and business information.
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 the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.