Assistant Produce Team Leader

Earth Fare, Inc.; Summerville (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Earth Fare Summerville is seeking an Assistant Produce Department Team Leader to oversee daily operations of the produce department, supervise clerks, manage inventory, and ensure freshness and presentation of our products. The role drives sales while maintaining quality and safety standards in a fast-paced retail environment.

You will lead and train team members, coordinate with store leadership, and support in achieving department financial goals, including gross profit and overhead.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years experience working with produce and natural/organic products.
• Knowledge of produce industry trends, allergies, and dietary terms (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn Falcon hand-held computer scanner.
• Proven success managing shrink, sales, gross profit, and total overhead in a similar environment.
• OSHA ServSafe Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Train and support team members; communicate Earth Fare vision, SOPs, merchandising guidelines, and financial goals to team members.
• Oversee production of in-house cut fruit/vegetable program and ensure proper handling of organic products.
• Maintain knowledge of fruits, vegetables, herbs, roots, and packaged goods; ensure high quality control.
• Schedule staff and manage daily/weekly sales/movement reports, shrink reports, emails; respond accordingly.
• Order and receive deliveries; conduct monthly department inventory; identify opportunities to reduce expenses.
• Maintain an attractive, clean, and organized department by following merchandising guidelines.

Skills

Produce knowledge

Food safety

Microsoft Office

Falcon handheld scanner

Shrink/sales/overhead management

Retail/customer service

OSHA ServSafe

Tools

Falcon handheld scanner

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Earth Fare Summerville - Summerville, SC 29483, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $18.00 - $20.00 Hourly, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Grocery, Earth Fare Team Leaders

At Earth Fare, our Team Leaders are managers responsible for modeling Earth Fare’s Mission, Conviction, and Purpose while developing and managing a successful team within their department. Team Leader responsibilities include adhering to departmental standard operating procedures and meeting or exceeding financial goals, including gross profit, shrink, sales, labor, and department overhead. Team Leaders are responsible for ensuring a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Assistant Produce Department Team Leader

Assistant Produce Team Leaders oversee the daily operations of the produce department in the absence of the Team Leader, ensuring high standards of quality, customer service, and operational efficiency. They lead and motivate a team of produce clerks, manage inventory, and ensure the department meets both company and customer expectations. This role is crucial in maintaining the freshness and presentation of our produce offerings and driving sales performance.

Key Contributions

Training & Development

• Communicate the Earth Fare vision, standard operating procedures, merchandising guidelines, and financial goals to Team Members.
• Emphasize customer service, safety, and sanitation.
• Interview, select, train, and support team members.
• Act as a key holder to support overall store operations.

Production

• Supervise and participate in the production of in-house cut fruit/vegetable program.
• Ensure proper handling of organic products.
• Maintain knowledge of fruits, vegetables, herbs, roots, and packaged goods offered in the Produce Department.
• Maintain high standards of quality control.
• Manager on Duty: May work up to five MOD shifts per week, including opening and closing, based on store/business needs.

Operational Tasks

• Order and receive deliveries.
• Schedule team members.
• Review daily and weekly sales/movement reports, shrink reports, emails, and respond accordingly.
• Conduct monthly department inventory.
• Identify opportunities to reduce expenses.

Merchandising

• Develop and maintain an attractive sales floor by implementing Earth Fare merchandising guidelines.

Department Conditions

• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and overall organization of the department, including fixtures, storage, workstations, freezers, and coolers.

Required Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of produce industry trends, allergies, and specialized dietary terms (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.).
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and proper storage/display of organic products.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook) and ability to learn Falcon hand-held computer scanner.
• Proven success managing shrink, sales, gross profit, and total overhead in a similar environment.
• Minimum 2–3 years experience working with produce and natural/organic products.
• Solid understanding of fruit and vegetable cut preparation, processing, and packaging procedures.
• Minimum 1–2 years experience in a retail and/or customer service-oriented position.
• Perishable experience and OSHA ServSafe Certification preferred.

Environmental Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and squat.
• Ability to push, pull, and maneuver heavy loads.
• Work in a fast-paced environment focused on customer service.
• Exposure to extreme cold and heat for short periods.
• May travel periodically for meetings.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods.