Assistant Produce Manager

Assistant Produce Manager

The Assistant Produce Manager is responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of Produce department operations in the absence of and per the direction of the Produce Manager. The Assistant Produce Manager ensures accurate and efficient filling of customer requests, attractive and full displays, and consistently phenomenal customer service. This position upholds management best practices, develops and mentors department personnel, adheres to labor and food safety guidelines, and ensures others maintain compliance with policy and procedures by establishing clear expectations in a manner that upholds the values of Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and the cooperative identity.

Department: Produce

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Reports To: Produce Manager

Supervises: Produce Clerks

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Uphold all Co-op policies, procedures and expectations.
2. Customer Experience
3. Under the direction of the Produce Manager, ensure the department operates effectively and efficiently; facilitate day-to-day operation and guarantee performance standards are met and that employees consistently work towards their ideal and peak performance.
4. Exceed our customers' expectations for service and provide a welcoming environment for all people and all diverse backgrounds in accordance with the Co-op's customer service standards.
5. Model, provide, and ensure customers receive prompt, friendly and courteous services in a professional manner that markets our cooperative advantage.
6. Maintain a calm and friendly demeanor with all customers and in all situations.
7. Monitor and ensure that staff keep work areas neat, clean and orderly.
8. Department Operations
9. Order, receive, and merchandise produce products following proper guidelines for merchandising, rotation, sanitation, pricing, mechanizing, and organic quality standards.
10. Consistently replenish products to ensure freshness and visibility.
11. Accept, order, receive, stock, and retrieve special orders.
12. Follow proper procedures for opening and closing.
13. Maintain inventory of products and supplies.
14. Handle product returns from customers and arrange returns and credits to vendors.
15. Conduct price changes and signage orders following department procedures.
16. Ensure accurate and sanitary product processing, packaging, labeling, dating, and pricing according to department procedures.
17. Maintain a working knowledge of department vendors, their products, and trends including how these suppliers meet our quality standards.
18. Maintain a working knowledge of department delivery schedules.
19. Receive orders, weigh in product, inspect for quality, record date received, and fill out receiving reports and other paperwork as needed.
20. Organize and maintain cleanliness of walk-in cooler and all work areas, rotating product and noting products that need to be ordered.
21. Follow department procedures for processing known loss, invoices, special orders, and transfers.
22. Rotate all product using first in, first out (FIFO).
23. Maintain department sanitation standards following proper Good Organic Retailing Procedures (GORP) for cleaning utensils, counters, sinks, cutting surfaces, walls, and floors.
24. Managerial Duties
25. In collaboration with the Produce Manager create, develop, communicate, implement, audit, and evaluate operating standards and procedures and make adjustments as needed.
26. Know and adhere to all aspects of the Employee Handbook, current policies and procedures, safety programs, and collective bargaining agreements.
27. Establish clear expectations for direct reports and support direct reports to ensure expectations are exceeded.
28. Delegate and assign tasks for department personnel as needed and ensure tasks are completed.
29. Provide adequate and timely communication with the Produce Manager in regards to problems/concerns, opportunities, recognition, and other matters of importance.
30. Supervise work performance and conduct of personnel and support the Co-op's performance management practices as needed and in accordance with Co-op policies, procedures, labor and legal guidelines.
31. Model behaviors that support the values of the Co-op, through supportive and participatory leadership, promoting cooperation, team building, and motivating employees to achieve goals.
32. Immediately address and report concerns with employee behaviors or work performance to the Produce Manager and support them in investigating and addressing the concern appropriately.
33. Cooperate with the Produce Manager as needed to assist with employees' contribution to the overall departmental goals and vision for the co-op.
34. Monitor and help ensure that Produce staff are properly attired, including chef coat, hat, and nametag, and are mentally and physically prepared for work duty upon arrival.
35. Help create and facilitate trainings for employees that enhance and build upon their skills, knowledge and abilities. Ensure new hires are trained appropriately and effectively.
36. Contribute to regular performance evaluations and provide coaching as needed.
37. Support the Co-op's security and safety protocols and establish strong departmental control measures.
38. Note absences, tardiness, shift changes, and other variances or patterns according to procedure. Reallocate labor as needed to meet operating needs.
39. Coordinate and authorize breaks for staff in accordance with Co-op policy, collective bargaining agreement, and the needs of the department.
40. Assist Produce Manager with scale system as needed.
41. Order and maintain adequate supplies.
42. Support recruitment practices by screening and interviewing applicants per management's direction.
43. Support Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op's marketing and outreach initiatives and contribute to marketing, outreach, and events as requested.
44. Model communications with staff that are timely, clear, direct, and respectful.
45. Model leadership behaviors to motivate staff and encourage teamwork.
46. Treat staff equitably, fairly, consistently, and with respect.
47. Financial Accountability
48. Work with the Produce Manager on scheduling needs and budgeting as requested.
49. Other Duties
50. Assist in inventory counts, storewide cleaning, and other projects as needed.
51. Attend meetings and events as requested.
52. Ensure equipment repair and maintenance is communicated to appropriate personnel and make adjustments until equipment has been improved.
53. Maintain working knowledge of and ability to perform all duties of direct reports.
54. Adhere to department dress code.
55. Demonstrate support for the cooperative values and principles daily.
56. Compile information and contribute to reports as needed.
57. Perform other duties and work in other departments as assigned.
58. Know and uphold the Co-op Manager General Responsibilities daily.

Essential Qualifications:

1. Required Experience
2. 3+ years' previous experience in customer service.
3. 2+ years' previous experience handling produce.
4. Regulatory Requirements
5. Maintain and update as needed ServSafe certification.
6. Language Ability
7. Comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
8. Communicate effectively and respectfully in oral or written form to staff and customers of diverse backgrounds.
9. Effectively present information in one-to-one and small group situations to employees and customers.
10. Math Ability
11. Add and subtract two digit numbers and multiply and divide with 10's and 100's mentally.
12. Perform these calculations using units of U.S. currency and weight, volume, and distance measurements.
13. Reasoning Ability
14. Apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
15. Deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
16. Prioritize work tasks, multi-task, and maintain focus.
17. Create, implement and improve procedures.
18. Computer Skills
19. Use Microsoft Word, Excel, Email, website and time clock software proficiently.

Desired Qualifications:

Desired knowledge, skills, ability and experience are not essential to be able to perform the essential duties of the position.

Essential Mental Requirements and Competencies:

1. Problem Solving
2. Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
3. Customer Service
4. Manage difficult or emotional customer situations.
5. Respond promptly to customer needs.
6. Solicit customer feedback to improve service.
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Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op