Produce Assistant Team Leader

Metropolitan Market; Sammamish (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Market is seeking a Produce Assistant Team Leader to support the Produce Team Leader in managing product displays, inventory, and safety within a fast-paced department. You will help with ordering, merchandising, and cost controls to maximize sales and gross profits while ensuring high guest satisfaction.

The role requires supervisory experience, strong leadership, and a passion for quality produce, with a focus on safety, training, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years retail produce experience preferred.
• One year supervisory experience preferred.
• Basic working knowledge of Lotus Notes, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word preferred.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and produce quality output while working within deadlines; sense of urgency and excellent time management.
• Demonstrates motivation, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and department guidelines; experience with gross profit, inventory control, and labor percentages.
• Creative merchandising and display skills demonstrated in prior roles.
• Comprehensive product knowledge and passion for food; strong guest service focus.
• Effective leadership, delegation, and follow-through; teamwork and coaching abilities.
• Exceptional guest service skills and strong interpersonal and written communication.
• Willingness to learn and interest in food and related products.
• Proven ability to interact professionally and maintain confidentiality.
• Dependability and good attendance record.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Assist with product management, displays, and merchandising to drive guest interest and sales.
• Support ordering, inventory control, and cost verification for the Produce Department.
• Assist with vendor relations, pricing, and cost negotiations while minimizing shrink.
• Help plan labor and schedule to meet department goals and maintain budgeted gross profit.
• Lead department staff in training, performance feedback, and recruitment efforts.
• Provide exceptional guest service and product knowledge across the store.

Skills

Retail produce experience

Supervisory leadership

Guest service

Time management

Interpersonal communication

Prioritization

Education

One year supervisory experience preferred

Tools

Lotus Notes

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Position Description

Metropolitan Market

Position Title: Produce Assistant Team Leader

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification: Union

Department: Operations, Produce

Reports To: Produce Team Leader

Job Summary: As a key leader of our Produce Department, this position is responsible for assisting the Produce Team Leader with product management, food safety, quality control, merchandising, sales generation, gross margins, labor and general expense control, personnel development, work safety, guest service, and profitability within the department. In the absence of the Produce Team Leader, this position assumes primary responsibility for department operations.

Essential Functions

I. Product Management

• Assists the Produce Team Leader with developing and maintaining product displays in order to create an exciting marketplace; strives to develop displays that pique guest interest and impact guest buying trends.

• Assists with effective ordering of all products for the Produce Department; maintains product inventory at a level that promotes creative and effective sales merchandising and maximizes sales potential.
• Participates in determining order quantities and verifying cost of goods. Effectively interacts with vendors as needed.
• Verifies all items received from vendors meet company guidelines for quality, count, and condition. Follows established guidelines to manage and process all mis-picks, damaged goods, and credits.
• Demonstrates effective inventory control, thereby minimizing unnecessary cost associated with excessive inventory, including supplies.
• Verifies correct invoice billing, including confirmation through the weekly general ledger, and Produce Department receiving log sheets; follows-up and resolves inaccurate billing; ensures the Produce Team Leader is alerted to variances from vendor quoted or anticipated product cost and invoiced amount.
• Assists the Produce Team Leader with achieving the lowest cost of goods for the highest quality products; assesses product quality and provides timely feedback.
• Ensures effective informational and price point signing is posted for all products.
• Maintains stocking standards that ensure high product quality, including established rotation procedures. Incorporates cleaning with stocking and rotation requirements.
• Assists the Produce Team Leader with determining product selections; performs category management functions as assigned by the Produce Team Leader and/or as needed.
• In the absence of the Produce Team Leader, effectively plans for and performs physical inventory on a quarterly basis, or as needed.

1. Operations

• In the absence of the Produce Team Leader, determines daily projects and activities of department team members; ensures daily tasks and assignments are accomplished correctly and in a timely manner.

• Effectively manages department operations so that sales goals and general expense budgets are achieved; assists the Produce Team Leader with maintaining pricing to achieve budgeted gross profit goals.
• In the absence of the Produce Team Leader, writes Produce Department work schedule; effectively allocates labor to accomplish operational goals, best service guests, and achieve labor budget.

• Adheres to all food safety and sanitation requirements. Consistently demonstrates knowledge of HACCP and Department of Health provisions, shares knowledge with team members for the purpose of training.

• Adheres to company guidelines regarding prevention of internal and external loss, including risk management, accident prevention/safety awareness, and loss prevention.

• Maintains sales floor, back room, and walk-in coolers in a safe, clean, and organized manner; stores products in a manner that allows easy access to back stock.

• Participates in Produce Department staff meetings and store staff meetings as required.
• Uses work-related equipment correctly under manufacturer guidelines.

1. Leadership

• Effectively builds and maintains morale; provides motivation and feedback; fosters a cohesive, creative, productive team of team members.
• Assists the Produce Team Leader with department interviewing, hiring, and maintenance of staffing levels, including active recruitment of potential department team members (e.g., communicates with local schools, businesses, and organizations, and networks within the community and industry). At all times, ensures an ample qualified group of candidates is identified, available, and interested in joining our team.
• Actively participates in the management of department team member relations, including team member training, performance appraisals, coaching, counseling, and corrective action.
• Leads by example, provides team members with clear expectations and timely feedback.
• Effectively delegates and follows-up with team members.
• Actively participates in product promotions/focuses and community events.
• Provides team members with information necessary to their positions; actively communicates; works to involve and educate all team members.

• Contributes to a productive, enjoyable work environment; fosters working relationships that promote positive team morale. Effectively utilizes the Company’s Open Door and Conflict Resolution programs as needed. Gives and receives input/feedback in a solution-based manner.

• Assists the Produce Team Leader in the development of team members; leads team members in career pathing and personal development; prepares team members for advancement/promotion.

IV. Guest Service

• Immediately greets all guests; demonstrates genuine enthusiasm and sincerity; customizes approach to meet guest needs and build rapport. Creates guest loyalty through individualized service.
• Anticipates guest needs and questions related to products; completes industry-related reading and self-education activities required to remain knowledgeable and current in areas of responsibility, including product knowledge (e.g., product tasting, cutting-edge trends, product use research, and vocabulary development). Effectively follows through with guests, including item requests, questions, and concerns.
• Effectively shifts gears to meet guest needs; moves with ease from greeting to providing product information, up-selling, closing the sale, thanking guests, and inviting them back. Effectively assesses guests’ needs and appropriately suggests products. Offers guests opportunities to interact with products.

• Develops customer base by providing excellent guest service throughout the store; effectively secures the assistance of other store personnel as needed.

• Readily provides guests information on store layout, services, and activities (e.g., promotions and special products).
• Ensures all guest and other phone inquiries are handled with appropriate telephone etiquette, effectively providing consistent, friendly, and efficient service.
• Trains all Produce Department team members on guest service expectations and techniques; ensures guest service expectations are consistently achieved on a department-wide basis.

• Maintains Produce Department area in a clean, organized, guest-friendly manner; consistently provides guests a professional, upbeat atmosphere.

V. Miscellaneous

• Upholds all Metropolitan Market policies and procedures; adheres to all applicable local, state, and federal laws; adheres to applicable UFCW Union contract provisions.
• Performs all job responsibilities with professionalism and appropriate discretion/confidentiality as determined by the Company’s policies, procedures, and expectations; acts accordingly at all times while representing the Company (including activities/functions away from the store location).
• Consistently presents a professional personal image, including impeccable execution of the Company’s General Dress Guideline/Uniform Standards and Professional Image Standards.
• Adheres to workplace cleanliness and personal hygiene standards.
• Works a flexible schedule as required by business needs, to include potential participation in industry-related trade shows and/or events.
• Achieves Metropolitan Market attendance requirements.
• Identifies opportunities for enhancement or improvement of processes/systems. Communicates promptly to the Produce Team Leader. Recommends/implements solutions as appropriate.
• In the absence of the Produce Team Leader, directs product management related matters of a time-sensitive or department-vital nature to the Produce Coordinator; operational issues will be directed to the Store Director team.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Produce Team Leader and/or Store Director team.

VI. Physical Requirements

Position Description Physical Requirements: Produce Assistant Team Leader

Physical Requirements Legend: NA = Not Applicable; O = Occasional (up to 25% of time); F = Frequent (26% to 74% of time); C = Constant (75% or more of time)

• Standing/Walking: Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station or moving about the work area. X
• Sitting: Remaining in the normal seated position. X
• Carrying: Moving an object, usually by holding it in hands or arms, or on shoulder. X. Up to 50 Pounds.
• Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another, using hands, arms and/or shoulders, back and legs. X. Up to 50 Pounds.
• Pushing/Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from/toward the force. X. Up to 50 Pounds.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs, and/or hands and arms. X
• Traveling: Requires travel outside geographical region. X
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. X
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s). X
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees, or hands and feet. X
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. X
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise performing precision work with hand(s). X
• Bending/Twisting: Continual, intermittent flexion or rotation of the wrists and/or spine. X
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. X
• Hearing: Receiving detailed information through oral communication. X
• Tasting/Smelling: Distinguishing, with a degree of accuracy, differences or similarities in intensity or quality of flavors and/or odors. X
• Vision: Clarity of vision at near and/or far distances. X
• Driving: Requires valid state drivers license. X

Qualifications/Skills Required: To successfully perform the requirements of this position, an individual must consistently execute each essential function at a satisfactory level. The requirements listed in the following text are representative of the knowledge, experience, and skill levels required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum three years retail produce experience preferred.
• One year supervisory experience preferred.
• Basic working knowledge of Lotus Notes, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word preferred.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and produce quality output while working within deadlines a must. Sense of urgency required. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates a high level of self-motivation; takes initiative; problem solves.
• Possesses strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP/Department of Health guidelines, gross profit, inventory control, and labor percentages; proven experience working with each.
• Possesses creative and effective merchandising and display skills.
• Possesses comprehensive product information with a proven history of using knowledge to best service guests. Demonstrates a strong knowledge and understanding of food, including ingredients, applications, pronunciations, and culinary skills. Possesses a genuine passion for food.
• Effective leadership skills; proven success as a team member. Ability to effectively delegate and follow-through.
• Exceptional guest service skills.
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills required; effective written communication skills necessary.
• Demonstrates an interest in learning; possesses a strong interest in food and related products.

• Proven ability to interact and perform all job responsibilities with professionalism and confidentiality essential.

• Proven ability to meet attendance requirements, dependable.

• Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

Additional Performance Factors

• Dependability: The team member can be depended upon to report to work as scheduled and is seldom absent from work. The team member can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner, and is conscientious about work assignments and deadlines.

• Communication: The team member communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the Company.

• Work Relationships: The team member works effectively and relates well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the Company. The team member exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others, and works to build and maintain constructive working relationships. The team member accepts and applies constructive feedback in a professional and effective manner that enhances performance and resolves performance deficiencies.

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Team member Name (Print) Signature Date

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Supervisor Name (Print) Signature Date