Local Produce Merchandiser- Tampa, Florida

The Fresh Market Inc; Fisher Park (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team member discount

Insurance

401K

PTO

Job summary

The Fresh Market Inc. is seeking a Local Produce Merchandiser to support our Store Support Center (099) and regional stores in delivering an exceptional, region-specific produce program.

You will connect growers, merchants, and store teams to present fresh, compelling displays that drive guest satisfaction. In this role, you will visit stores and local markets to assess product quality, assortment opportunities, and execution standards, while building relationships with local suppliers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Strong communication, organizational and relationship-building skills are essential.
• Willingness to travel extensively to stores, farms, supplier locations, and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Regional Merchandising & Buying: develop and execute produce strategy across stores and regions.
• Identify assortment, sourcing, and merchandising opportunities meeting demand and regional trends.
• Store Execution & Field Leadership: conduct regular store visits and coach teams on merchandising best practices.
• Supplier & Community Engagement: build relationships with growers and suppliers and participate in local events.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: work with Merchandising, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing and Store Operations teams to align strategies.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Retail reporting tools

Job description

The Fresh Market & You:

The Fresh Market & You: Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests. We create a warm, welcoming, memorable experience with exceptional, personal service. We’re looking for a new team member who strives for excellence and brings positive energy, commitment, and a “can-do” attitude to work every day. We value teamwork and celebrate our successes as a team and will value your contribution!

Added Benefits for choosing The Fresh Market Team:

• Team member discount up to 40%
• Health, Dental & Vision insurance available for individual, spouse, partner, and family.
• And much more!
• 401K contribution and match for part-time and full-time team members.
• Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans available

About the Position:

The Fresh Market currently has an opening for a Local Produce Merchandiser in our Store Support Center (099).The Local Produce Merchandiser leads the execution, growth, and differentiation of our produce program across stores within a selected region. This role serves as the connection between growers, merchants, local wholesale markets, distribution partners, and store teams to ensure produce is presented in a compelling and consistent way that enhances the guest experience.

The Local Produce Merchandiser will spend significant time in stores and local markets evaluating merchandising, product quality, assortment opportunities, and execution standards. The role is responsible for identifying regional buying opportunities, supporting local supplier relationships, and helping bring programs to life through strong merchandising and operational execution.

The ideal candidate combines produce expertise, merchant instincts, buying experience, operational knowledge, and a passion for creating exceptional fresh experiences for our guests.

What You'll Do:

Regional Merchandising & Buying

• Support the development and execution of The Fresh Market's produce strategy across selected stores and regions.
• Identify assortment, sourcing, and merchandising opportunities that align with customer demand, seasonality, and regional market trends.

• Source and launch localized, regional, and seasonal products that support category objectives, brand standards, and guest preferences.
• Negotiate localized purchases and supplier agreements that deliver value and support margin and category goals.
• Work with growers and suppliers to ensure quality, service, and supply continuity.
• Identify and execute regional spot-buy, promotional, and sales-driving opportunities that enhance the guest experience and drive category performance.

Store Execution & Field Leadership

• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate product quality, merchandising standards, display effectiveness, and program execution.
• Coach store teams on merchandising best practices, display techniques, seasonal transitions, and local storytelling.

• Partner with operations and store leadership teams to drive consistent execution and improve business results.
• Identify and share merchandising best practices across stores and regions.
• Support local item launches and seasonal transitions through store communication and field execution.

Supplier & Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with growers, suppliers, and local market partners.
• Visit farms, growing regions, supplier facilities, and wholesale markets to identify sourcing and innovation opportunities.
• Support local grower events, product showcases, community partnerships, and seasonal promotional programs.
• Evaluate potential supplier partnerships and provide recommendations to merchandising leadership.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the broader Merchandising team to ensure localized sourcing, assortment, and promotional decisions align with overall category strategies and business objectives.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Food Safety, and Store Operations teams.
• Support the development and execution of seasonal, promotional, and local marketing initiatives.
• Provide field insights, customer feedback, and market intelligence to help shape future category strategies.
• Champion The Fresh Market's culture of Passion, Hospitality, Excellence, and Teamwork.

Qualifications:

At a minimum, what you’ll need:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience in produce merchandising, store operations, field leadership, category management, or fresh food retail.
• Strong understanding of produce merchandising, seasonality, freshness management, and display principles.
• Experience working directly with store teams and operational execution.
• Ability to analyze sales performance and identify merchandising opportunities.
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and retail reporting tools.
• Ability to travel extensively to stores, farms, supplier locations, and industry events.

Preferred qualifications:

• Produce department leadership experience.
• Experience supporting local or regional produce programs.
• Knowledge of seasonal crop cycles and local agriculture.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: Consistent with applicable laws, TFM will make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and team members, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to TFM. This guiding principle applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring and job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related medical conditions, national origin, genetic information, uniformed service, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.

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