Fresh Foods Technician

Acosta, Inc.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Acosta is seeking a Fresh Foods Technician to serve as the in-store expert for Fresh Foods, Bakery, Deli, Produce and Meat operations. You'll travel to retail locations, coach staff, and execute plan‑o‑gram driven merchandising.

Responsibilities include training teams, setting up displays, maintaining documentation, and delivering monthly performance insights. Candidates should be hands-on, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 0–3 years hands-on experience in retail Fresh Foods, Bakery, Deli, Produce/Meat operations.
• Strong knowledge of Fresh Foods operations and merchandising standards.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted subject matter expert recognized by internal teams, clients, and retail partners for knowledge and operational excellence.
• Represent Acosta professionally in-store and equip customer teams to handle department complexities and standards.
• Travel independently to assigned retail locations with clear objectives and outcomes.
• Communicate effectively before/during/after store visits, provide progress updates, and deliver visit recaps.
• Support new store openings, remodels, and resets including plan‑o‑grams and production standards.
• Execute and maintain new item setups and seasonal transitions.
• Maintain program documentation and merchandising tools to support consistent execution.
• Develop and deliver reporting such as store visit reports, monthly category performance with trend analysis.
• Collaborate with merchandisers and leadership to align on execution strategies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Fresh Foods Ops

Plan‑o‑grams

Merchandising

In‑store Training

Displays Setup

Time Management

Travel Ready

Education

High school diploma

Job description

As a Fresh Foods Technician, you’ll serve as the go‑to expert for Fresh Foods, Bakery, and/or Deli, Produce and Meat operations—combining hands‑on technical expertise with coaching, training, and field execution. This role is ideal for professionals who enjoy working independently, traveling to retail locations, and making a visible impact on store performance.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted subject matter expert, recognized by internal teams, clients, and retail partners for deep product knowledge, operational excellence, and procedural accuracy.
• Represent the company professionally in-store, ensuring customer teams are fully equipped to handle department complexities and operational standards.
• Travel independently to assigned retail locations, planning store visits in advance with clear objectives, agendas, and desired outcomes.
• Communicate effectively before, during, and after store visits, coordinating resources, providing progress updates, and delivering visit recaps to stakeholders.
• Support new store openings, remodels, and resets, including:
  • Assisting with setting cases to plan‑o‑grams
  • Training associates on plan‑o‑gram execution and production standards
  • Providing production support to meet volume needs before and after openings
• Execute and maintain new item setups, seasonal transitions, and ongoing plan‑o‑gram updates based on business needs.
• Maintain program documentation, merchandising tools, and category‑specific manuals to support consistent execution.
• Develop and deliver reporting and insights, including:
  • Store visit reports
  • Monthly category performance reports with trend analysis and seasonal recommendations
  • Annual category reviews and ad‑hoc analysis as needed
• Collaborate regularly with merchandisers and leadership, sharing updates, introducing new programs or items, and aligning on execution strategies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support business and client objectives.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of 0 - 3 years of hands‑on experience in retail Fresh Foods, Bakery, and/or Deli, Produce and Meat operations
• Proven technical experience supporting daily department operations, merchandising, and production

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of Fresh Foods, Bakery, and/or Deli, Produce and Meat department operations, including production processes and merchandising standards
• Ability to set up displays, execute plan‑o‑grams, and participate in resets and remodels independently or as part of a team
• Comfortable training and guiding others through hands‑on, in‑store execution
• Strong organizational, communication, and time‑management skills
• Work independently while managing multiple store visits and priorities
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to assigned retail locations

Physical & Travel Requirements

• Stand, walk, and work on‑site in retail environments for extended periods
• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds
• Ability to travel regularly as part of the role