Produce Category Manager- Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Markets

Job Description

Job Description

Produce Category Manager

Rainbow Blossom was started in 1977 by Rob and Pumpkin Auerbach and is now led by their daughter, Summer Auerbach. We're proud to have been part of the Louisville community for nearly five decades. Our mission is to be a resource for improving the quality of life for ourselves, our community, and our company.

We are a values-driven organization that supports health, wellness, and individuality. We hire people from all walks of life and aim to create a workplace that is professional, supportive, and meaningful. The way we work matters just as much as what we do, and we look for people who reflect that in how they show up every day.

Position Overview

The Produce Category Manager is responsible for leading the produce category across all Rainbow Blossom locations. This role oversees product selection, vendor relationships, purchasing, merchandising, pricing, category performance, and department standards with a focus on growing sales, maintaining strong margins, reducing loss, and delivering exceptional quality to our customers.

This is a hands-on, multi-store leadership role that works closely with Produce Department Managers, Store Managers, local farmers and vendors, and the Retail Strategy & Systems Manager. You'll help develop our produce teams, strengthen vendor partnerships, identify opportunities for growth, and ensure our produce departments consistently reflect Rainbow Blossom's standards and values.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the overall strategy and performance of the produce category across Rainbow Blossom locations
• Coach and support Produce Department Managers while building consistency and accountability across stores
• Conduct regular store visits and department audits focused on merchandising, product quality, pricing, cleanliness, and company standards
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national produce vendors
• Negotiate pricing, promotions, and supply agreements to support competitive costs and category profitability
• Identify and evaluate new vendors and seasonal sourcing opportunities, including partnerships with local farmers
• Guide purchasing and ordering to maintain product quality, availability, and appropriate inventory levels
• Monitor sales, expenses, margins, movement, and other financial results to identify trends and opportunities
• Conduct margin audits and competitive price comparisons to support accurate and competitive pricing
• Develop promotional and merchandising opportunities that increase sales and showcase Rainbow Blossom's organic and local produce offerings
• Partner with Store Managers to maintain strong produce department execution, including stocking, culling, sanitation, equipment, and merchandising standards
• Lead monthly produce team meetings and support training and development across the department
• Partner with the Retail Strategy & Systems Manager and Marketing team on company initiatives, promotions, signage, and category growth opportunities

The right person for this role enjoys both the business and the people side of produce. You understand that a great produce department requires excellent product, smart purchasing, strong merchandising, attention to detail, and a team that knows what success looks like. You're comfortable reviewing numbers and making decisions, but you're equally comfortable walking a department, coaching a manager, talking with a farmer or vendor, or jumping in to help a store when needed.

We're looking for someone who reflects how we work every day. Skills matter, but how you show up matters just as much!

• Customer Centric – You understand that freshness, quality, presentation, value, and service all shape the customer's experience.
• Collaborative – You build strong relationships with Produce Managers, Store Managers, vendors, farmers, and other departments.
• Resourceful – You spot opportunities, solve problems, and find practical ways to improve sales, margins, quality, and execution.
• Engaged – You stay connected to what's happening in our stores, take ownership of results, and follow through on commitments.
• Positive – You bring constructive energy to your work, support your teams, and approach challenges with a solutions-focused mindset.
• Reliable – You are organized, consistent, detail-oriented, and accountable for the performance and standards of the category.

The ideal candidate has previous experience in produce, category or product management, department management, and/or retail management, with at least one year of retail produce experience required. Experience with vendor management, purchasing, merchandising, sales, marketing, budgeting, pricing, inventory, and financial reporting is strongly preferred. Supervisory experience, including hiring, training, evaluating, and delegating, is also preferred.

Strong communication and organizational skills are essential, along with proficiency in retail math and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Candidates should be comfortable learning POS and back-office systems and should have working knowledge of applicable health, agricultural, safety, and regulatory requirements. An associate or bachelor's degree is preferred but not required.

A Food Service Manager Certification must be completed within 90 days of hire.

This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Retail Strategy & Systems Manager. The role is primarily in-person and requires reliable transportation and regular travel between Rainbow Blossom locations throughout the Louisville metro area. The position includes hands-on work in produce departments and occasional work in coolers, freezers, and outdoor conditions. Candidates must be able to meet the physical requirements outlined in the full job description, with or without reasonable accommodation, including lifting up to 50 pounds on occasion.

We offer PTO, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), a competitive employee discount, and additional employee benefits.

Rainbow Blossom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This description reflects the general nature of the role and may evolve as business needs change.

Full Job Description Attached.