Produce Assistant Manager

Who is New Leaf Community Markets?
New Leaf Community Markets opened its doors as a small cooperative in 1985 on the Westside of Santa Cruz. We learned early on, that the well-being of our guests, staff, and community starts with sustainable, locally-produced food. Farm-to-table all the way! We’ve partnered with open-minded producers who care as deeply about our people, the planet, and social justice as we do, from day one.

Our mission is to be a purveyor of good – from offering the best local and natural foods to taking care of our staff, community, and environment. We love what we do, and we know that it’s our passionate staff who make it all possible. We’re committed to taking care of our people by leading the way with progressive employment practices.

Every day, we work to create an atmosphere of openness, caring, trust, and fairness – a place where staff can thrive, and differences are celebrated. As a member of the New Leaf Community Markets team, you can count on an inclusive, friendly environment and a welcoming group of inspired individuals who love people, great food, and being a part of a community gathering place.

Ingredients You’ll Bring to the Table:
You love food and have the ability to create an experience that is beyond the everyday. You have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment. You can connect with people and reach a level of hospitality that exceeds guests’ expectations. You are warm, outgoing, authentically amazing, and want to be inspired, challenged, and proud of where you work.

You embody the spirit of New Leaf Community Market's core values: Community, Integrity, Sustainability, Quality, and Respect; and you are driven by our mission to nourish and sustain our community by using business as a force for change.

What’s on Your Plate:
Job Title: Produce Assistant Manager
Department: Produce
Reports To: Produce Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary
Partner with the Produce Manager to manage department and staff, including financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions, merchandising, food safety, work safety, communication, hiring, training, and performance management. This is a management position, and I am responsible for providing leadership in line with company values and promoting a positive and progressive work environment in alignment with our company mission, vision, values, and policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information, and assists in locating products throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Demonstrates ability to manage own time and models a flexible work style. Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on the needs and conditions of the department.
• Represents company values. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members.
• Gives and receives feedback constructively, demonstrating the company's Speak Up culture.
• Promotes a collaborative team environment through recognition, leading by example, and working alongside staff.
• Demonstrates approachability and fosters open communication. Creates an environment where staff are invested and encouraged to contribute ideas. Demonstrates a proactive approach to resolving staff issues and conflicts.
• Conserves company resources. Works consistent with company mission, vision, values, and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness and maintains equipment. Inform store/department management of any problems.
• Observe all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks, and responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities:

• Partner with the department manager to manage and provide oversight to all department areas. Assess, prioritize, and delegate tasks and production.
• Ensures consistency of department conditions. Ensures all department areas are stocked, rotated, and faced and adheres to merchandising standards and category schematics.
• Partner with the department manager to ensure satisfactory in-stock conditions in the department. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve sales and margin goals.
• Orders products according to anticipated sales and seasonal needs. Trains staff to write orders consistent with department goals and standards to ensure product availability.
• Partner with the department manager to plan weekly ads, events, and holidays using tools and reports.
• Builds displays and arranges department products to make attractive presentations, highlighting featured/unique/seasonal items.
• Maintains professional vendor relationships.
• Ensures customer special orders are accurately placed and delivered.
• Receives and unloads merchandise, checking quality, count, and condition. Communicates any issues to management and the merchandising team.
• Stocks and rotates products with attention to product quality and expiration dates.
• Maintains cleanliness, organization, and rotation of all areas, products, and supplies.
• Partners with department manager to plan, lead, and analyze monthly perishable inventory.
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of labor, sales, and margin goals and factors that influence them. Works with department manager to meet labor and margin goals and schedule department accordingly. Develops and executes a plan when results do not meet expectations.
• Coaches the department to maintain appropriate, accurate, organized inventory and backstock. Handles damaged and spoiled products according to company policy.
• Maintains a working knowledge of department equipment and can train staff and troubleshoot errors.
• Leverages resources and labor to maximize efficiency without compromising quality and service standards.
• Balances administrative tasks with presence on the floor.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Still, it constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Leaf Community Markets reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.

Customer Service Skills
Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information, and assists in locating products throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities
Demonstrates a solid understanding of supervisory responsibilities based on company expectations and applicable laws. Partners with the department manager to oversee all areas of the team.

Education and/or Experience

• Previous customer service, food service, retail, or grocery experience is required.
• Previous produce experience in a retail, farm, or distribution environment is preferred.
• Previous supervisory or management experience is required.
• Entry- to mid-level proficiency with MS Office. Working knowledge of POS, inventory, or other retail-specific software is preferred.
• Skills to manage financial results, including labor, sales, and profit margin.

Language Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Mathematical Skills
Basic to intermediate math and computation skills are required.

Reasoning Ability
Reading, understanding, and following through on verbal and written instructions. Skills to exercise sound judgment at all times. Skills to resolve conflicts and analyze various situations to find a solution.

Knowledge of English
You should have the ability to speak, read, and understand English.

Physical Demands
This position works at a Heavy level. Required frequently and continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout the shift. Sitting is seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, climbing stairs, step stools, and /or ladders are required. Continuously required to lift 1-10 pounds; push/pull 1-10 pounds; use arms, hands, and wrists; grasping/squeezing. Frequently required to: lift 11-20 pounds; twist; reach at/above shoulder; reach below shoulder. Occasionally required to carry 21-50 pounds; push/pull 21-40 pounds; bend/stoop; crouch/squat; reach/above the shoulder.

This position may require the use of the following tools and equipment: box knife, baler, scanner, hand truck, POS, conveyer belt, industrial kitchen equipment (e.g., blast chiller, grill, knives/blades, oven, grills, scales, etc.), basic housekeeping / janitorial, and standard office equipment.

Work Environment
Work occurs in a grocery store environment, including wet and slippery surfaces, moderate noise levels, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and/or chemicals. By the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local laws, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Why You’ll Love Working at New Leaf Community Markets

• Amazing Benefits Package – Including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k at 26 hours a week.
• Great earning potential with the opportunity for growth within our family of brands
• Paid Parental Leave available
• Lifestyle Scheduling
• Public Transport Benefits
• Paid Community Service Hours
• 30% discount at all New Leaf Community Markets, Bristol Farms, and Lazy Acres Natural Market locations

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