Produce Supervisor - Starting Wage $21.03

Purpose

Assist in overseeing the selection, pricing, and display of fresh produce, and to ensure optimal purchasing and merchandising strategies are carried out consistently. To meet and exceed department goals for sales, margin, labor, and exceptional customer service with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. To ensure that the department contributes to the financial best interest of the store while meeting the Co-ops Ends.

Responsibilities

I. General

Follow the Core Values as defined by EEFC's Core Value statement.

Provide exemplary customer service to both customers and staff.

Professional appearance and behavior.

Accurately communicate what the Co-op is and the process for becoming a member.

Familiarity with store layout, products, and services.

Familiarity and understanding of emergency procedures.

Stay up to date with current storewide and departmental communications, policies, notices, and logs.

Abide by Co-op policies as delineated in the Employee Handbook.

Willingness and ability to learn to meet the changing needs and requirements of the job.

II. Supervisory

Assist in the hiring, training, evaluating, and development of all department staff members in a manner which builds and sustains a high performing team and minimizes turnover while following established policies.

Establish and maintain a positive work environment, which encourages an exceptionally high level of staff morale.

Perform floor monitoring duties.

Oversee department staff members and direct as needed.

Work with departmental manager to ensure that all disciplinary actions are properly handled and documented following established policy.

Maintain confidentiality.

Ensure that equipment is maintained and troubleshoot breakdowns using established procedures.

Model a superior and professional work ethic by following/upholding policies consistently as outlined in the Employee Handbook and the Supervisors Code of Conduct.

Make judgment calls as necessary to assure the welfare of customers, the staff, and the store.

Share customer feedback with appropriate department managers.

Perform other tasks as assigned by the departmental manager.

III. Departmental - Purchasing

Assist with establishing and creating weekly departmental purchasing plans according to seasonality, buying principles, prices, and distributors.

Participate in the purchasing of products for favorable prices, terms, quality, and delivery.

Assist with establishing and maintaining a strategic pricing strategy.

Ensure proper ordering by staff according to department procedures.

Maintain, support, and expand the program for local farmers and growers.

Source products according to buying principles with priority for local and organic.

Ensure that members are able to place special orders for produce.

Ensure that department labeling and signage is maintained, accurate, uniform, and up-to-date with correct country of origin.

IV. Departmental - Receiving

Ensure the receiving process is followed according to established receiving procedures.

Ensure that produce is stored according to safety protocol and efficient access.

Ensure that invoices are filed, coded, and sent to accounts payable.

Ensure that new or changed products are priced accurately and system verified upon being received.

Ensure the accuracy of orders and that discrepancies are followed up on.

Assist with overseeing the process of obtaining credit.

V. Departmental - Merchandising

Ensure continuity of store signage program as developed by the Marketing Department.

Assist with planning attractive and abundant displays, and ensure that sufficient merchandise is ordered to stock displays for the period of the display.

Oversee in-store product demonstrations.

Visit other stores to compare merchandising, promotions, displays, products, and prices.

Assist with researching new display products to ensure best merchandising measures.

Assist in maintaining a competitive image by highlighting products that are in season, high quality, or a good price.

Assist with planning, maintaining, and expanding the sampling program and work with vendors to obtain product for sampling.

Provide product information for customers, staff, newsletters, and other publications.

Ensure displays are replenished, rotated, and culled according to established produce process.

VI. Departmental Category Management

Research new products and obtain input on selection.

Assist with periodic price surveys of identified competitors.

Ensure accuracy with PLUs, descriptions, signage, and prices, and coordinate changes with POS staff.

Price produce to achieve margin and sales goals.

VII. Departmental Maintenance, Sanitation, and Safety

Maintain work and sales area in a clean, organized, and safe manner throughout the entire shift.

Conduct hourly floor monitoring to prevent hazards and ensure safety and cleanliness.

Follow all health and safety protocol according to EEFC policies and health code standards.

Follow storage and labeling procedures at all times per EEFC and health department standards.

Ensure accurate completion of daily cleaning tasks.

Empty trash, recycling, and compost as needed throughout shift.

Operate all equipment in a safe and appropriate manner.

Safely use knives and other equipment following EEFC and cafe policies.

Ensure and maintain department equipment in working order.

Coordinate research and recommend equipment repair or replacement.

Follow appropriate safety protocol for stocking.

Maintain cold chain on products when applicable.

Ensure that fragile products are handled properly.

Monitor cooler and walk-in temperatures and follow procedures for handling breakdowns.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

At least 3 years customer service experience.

At least 1 year supervisory experience including hiring, training, evaluating, and directing.

Demonstrated leadership potential, including the ability to take lead responsibility for the store while working.

Ability to successfully master the varied and numerous tasks of the Produce department.

Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.

Able to produce quality work within the established deadlines.

Ability to multitask and keep track of multiple projects at once.

Dependable attendance with ability to complete all work in a timely manner.

Flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and weekends.

Strong project oversight and management skills.

Experience developing organizational systems and processes.

Positive attitude with the ability to develop exceptional working relationships with others.

Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.

Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Ability to read financial statements and clear understanding of margin, pricing, and labor costs.

Demonstrated ability to purchase and merchandise product creatively.

Must enjoy interacting with and serving the public.

Conflict resolution skills and negotiation skills.

Excellent trouble shooting skills. Logical problem solving skills.

Moderate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and internet research skills.

Experience with POS software.

Thorough knowledge of organic, natural foods, and non-GMO products.

Knowledge of organic and commercial growing practices and organic certification regulations.

Manual dexterity with hazardous equipment.

Proper handling and use of knives and other cutting equipment.

The ability to handle and touch all different kinds of food.

Willingness to taste various products in order to expand knowledge base.

The ability to work in close quarters in a fast paced environment which may include exposure to noisy, wet, humid, cold, or hot conditions.

General mobility requirements include the ability to: stand or walk for several hours at a time; lift up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis and 75 lbs. with assistance using safe lifting techniques; briefly push and pull carts weighing several hundred pounds; twist, turn, squat, and bend frequently; reach above and below shoulders; do repetitive motions; hand and wrist mobility including the ability to repetitively grasp objects; visually read fine print; visually read a computer screen for long periods of time; climb a ladder.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

At least 2+ years supervisory experience including hiring, training, evaluating and directing.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and internet research skills.

1-3 years of experience working with retail produce.

1-2 years of experience working with organic, natural foods, and non-GMO products.

Basic knowledge of local and regional produce.