Produce Shift Lead- Part Time

Valley Community Food Corp•Burnsville, MN

18d•$19 - $20

About The Position

The role of Produce Shift Lead involves providing great customer service to both internal and external customers while maintaining a safe and hazard free work environment. Our goal is Zero Employee Accidents. Daily duties will include providing prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable service to customers seeking information on produce, as well as helping to keep the department fully and attractively stocked. Additionally, the Produce Shift Lead will be responsible to help support, coach and delegate to staff in order to ensure efficient department operations. Are you passionate about fresh, local, and organic fruits and veggies? Do you enjoy leading a team while creating an exceptional shopping experience for your community? Valley Natural Foods is looking for a Part-Time Produce Shift Lead to help bring our Produce Department to life! At Valley, we’re more than a grocery store, we’re a community-owned co-op committed to sustainability, local partnerships, and nourishing people and the planet. Why You’ll Love Working Here: Community-Focused – Be part of a co-op that supports local farmers, sustainability, and healthy living. People-First Environment – Join a team that values kindness, respect, and teamwork. Great Benefits – Enjoy competitive pay, employee discounts, and opportunities for growth. Make a Difference – Help customers discover fresh, high-quality, and wholesome products. What You’ll Do: As a Produce Shift Lead, you’ll be a key part of our daily operations, supporting your team, delighting customers, and ensuring our department looks abundant and beautiful.

Requirements

High ethical standards with strong personal integrity
Detail oriented and able to multi-task and remain flexible to the changing needs of the business and inherent nature of the produce department
English proficiency.
Strong organizational and communication skills (spoken, listening, & written)
Ability to meet deadlines, coordinate projects, and work varied hours and days
Demonstrated objectivity, neutrality, and ability to manage pressure
Timely follow-through to commitments
Proficiency in MS Office and POS systems
Regular, predictable attendance
Ability to lead and direct others in a courteous, understanding, and effective manner
Conflict resolution, problem-solving, critical thinking, and understanding abilities
Ability to influence others, drive innovation and change while confronting and resolving conflict positively
Previous grocery or produce experience preferred
Leadership or supervisory experience
Passion for natural, organic, and local foods
Strong communication and team-building skills
Ability to stay organized and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
Comfort working on your feet, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs, and staying active throughout your shift

Nice To Haves

Previous customer service and supervisory experience (1-3 years progressive)
In-depth industry [produce] knowledge
Strong aptitude to read financials and adapt to technology and needs of the business
Previous experience in retail, grocery/co-ops, natural foods or related industry

Responsibilities

Ordering, Stocking and Backroom Greet and assist all customers
Work with Produce Manager to review and achieve sales and margin goals for the department.
Review departmental financial reports (sales, labor, margin, turns) with Produce Manager and take corrective action as needed
Establish proficiency in time management, organization, and communication
Ensure that items that do not meet our standards or are unable to sell are returned per proper standards
Proficiency and diligence in pulling short-date or low-quality items, keeping an accurate shrink/waste log, and notifying Produce Management of large quantities before disposing of them
High energy product, price, and merchandising ideas
Place orders as directed to ensure regular supply in accordance with a fluctuating retail environment
Occasionally receive orders not handled by Receiver, according to the established procedures
Ensure accurate, up-to-date shelf tags, PLU's, sale signs and prices for department items
Plan and maintain attractive, fully stocked, rotated, and faced sections of the department
Stock displays full without overcrowding and/or rotate overstock into backstock
Label items accurately with price tags or signs and notify Produce Manager of any discrepancies
Check in items using the invoice copy to verify product count or damage and notify Manager of any discrepancies
Keep backstock areas in order and notify Produce Manager or resolve out-of-stocks
Update stocking list as orders arrive and rotate overstock into storage
Replenish and cull product on the sales floor several times daily
Work with Produce Manager to plan attractive displays, pricing featured produce to achieve margin and sales goals, and select items for specials and markdowns
Direct staff and prepare items according to checklists or requests per VNF standards
Participate in on-the-job training of new employees, helping to ensure they are properly trained
Provide feedback for employee performance to Produce Management
Take an active role in coaching employees to success in their job
Find coverage for shifts vacated due to absence/illness when on the clock and notify Manager on Duty
Ensure the department operations are running efficiently in absence of the department manager
Proactively and continually seek and implement innovative solutions to increase quality, value, service and efficiency for our members and customers.
Treat people with dignity and respect and behave ethically with integrity.
Be an exemplar representation of VNF values
Alert Management of potential theft or other emergencies
Conduct price comparisons and review internal reports as directed
Keep department areas - shelves, counters, aisles, backstock -- in clean, orderly condition
Remove trash promptly, clean up spills, sweep floor as needed
Keep department equipment in working order and advise Produce Manager of equipment problems
Attend Produce staff meetings and other assigned training requirements and participate in inventory counts
Identifies self as employee by being in VNF attire and nametag
Perform any other duty as assigned by Management Team
Lead shifts in the Produce Department with a focus on teamwork and positive energy
Support, coach, and guide team members throughout the day
Maintain fresh, full, and visually appealing displays
Assist customers with product questions, recommendations, and education
Ensure quality standards, rotation, and food safety practices are followed
Jump in where needed, stocking, facing, prepping, and problem-solving