New Store - Prepared Foods Production Team Member (Deli / Culinary Prep) - Full Time - San Diego, California - Opening Late Summer 2026

Whole Foods Market Retail Job

Performs all functions related to preparation, counter service, sanitation, and stocking of products. Ensures a positive company image by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members at all times. Must be prepared and able to perform the duties inherent in other Team Member job descriptions. Team Leaders are required to spend significant time on the floor, engaging with customers, and pitching in to help whenever and wherever needed. Must support WFM core values and goals, promote national, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure adherence to all applicable health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assists with production for all Prepared Foods venues.
• Ensures all prepared foods are properly labeled, dates, initialed, covered, and rotated.
• Ensures product meets WFM guidelines for quality and preparation.
• Documents waste and spoilage using appropriate forms.
• Ensures product production is performed using correct measuring devices and all recipes are followed.
• Helps customers understand the difference between WFM products and products at conventional stores.
• Ensures that walk-ins and freezers are kept clean and well-organized.
• Arrives to work station on time, appropriately groomed, dressed and ready to work; works all scheduled shifts and attends required trainings and meetings.
• Provides excellent customer service, addresses needs of customers in a timely and effective manner and models suggestive selling techniques; answers phones and pages promptly and courteously.
• Maximizes sales potential through effective and proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
• Follows and complies, or ensures compliance, with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Maintains, or ensures maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; maintains equipment in accordance with WFM cleanliness and safety standards.
• Performs opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned; ensures accuracy of signs and pricing.
• Immediately reports safety hazards and violations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough product knowledge.
• Ability to make an adequate number of recipes per shift based on batch size.
• Capable of accessing information about market conditions and communicating it to customers.
• Understands spoilage and supply waste and how it affects department profits.
• Working knowledge and application of all merchandising expectations within the department.
• Strong to excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver information in a clear and respectable manner to fellow Team Members, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members.
• Ability to follow directions and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.
• Passion for natural foods and the mission of Whole Foods Market.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.
• Understanding of and compliance with WFM quality goals.

Desired Work Experiences

• No prior retail experience required.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• May require use of ladders.