Produce Associate I

Willimantic Food Co-op; Windham (CT); On-site; USD 16,531 - 22,041; Full time

Job summary

Willimantic Food Co-op is seeking a Produce Associate to ensure smooth flow from back room to sales floor, keeping the department stocked, rotated and attractive. You will provide friendly, helpful service, assist customers with questions, and uphold co-op standards daily.

The role emphasizes teamwork, dependability, and physical ability to lift 50+ lbs, with both part-time and full-time options, hourly pay, and non-exempt status.

Qualifications

• Experience serving the public and delivering friendly service.
• Familiarity with natural foods and Co-op values.
• Ability to project a friendly, outgoing personality.
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly.
• Regular, predictable attendance and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service and answer product questions.
• Keep the Produce department stocked, rotated and attractive.
• Receive, stock and display deliveries and endcaps.
• Maintain clean, safe backrooms and report safety concerns.
• Attend department and all-staff meetings.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Stamina

Organizational skills

Attendance reliability

Willingness to learn

Job description

Produce Associate

The role of the Produce Team Member is to provide excellent service to Co-op shoppers by ensuring the proper flow of goods from back door to the sales floor. The Produce Team Member is responsible for keeping the entire department fully stocked, rotated, and looking beautiful at all times.

Description

Produce Associate

The role of the Produce Team Member is to provide excellent service to Co-op shoppers by ensuring the proper flow of goods from back door to the sales floor. The Produce Team Member is responsible for keeping the entire department fully stocked, rotated, and looking beautiful at all times.

Status:

Part Time or Full Time, Hourly, Pay Level I, Non-exempt

Reports to:

Produce Manager

Works with:

Produce Team

Customer Service

• Ensure a welcoming store environment that reflects the Co-op's values and purpose through supporting and advancing existing procedures and policies.
• Assist customers with product questions, in prompt, friendly, courteous manner, referring them to other staff when necessary.
• Role model friendly, engaged customer service for staff and provide excellent internal service to staff and peers.
• Be responsible for understanding and practicing the guidelines in our Customer Service Training Packet and the Zingerman's customer service videos.
• Explain store policies and procedures clearly, completely and concisely to all customers.
• Answer and route phone calls, take and route messages as needed.
• Uphold security procedures including theft, disorderly customers, emergencies, proper opening and closing procedures.
• Report customer suggestions, comments, and complaints to the Management Team.

Receiving & Stocking

• Be aware of delivery schedule, and ensure deliveries are brought into the store in a safe and appropriate manner, preparing space in receiving areas, directing drivers, and assisting in unloading trucks when necessary.
• Check in all deliveries of goods (except Produce & Wellness, unless otherwise asked), ensuring all products on invoice have been received.
• Report/record missing items, mispicks, and damaged goods, notify the appropriate Lead, and route invoices to POS Receiver
• Stock products from deliveries as appropriate, ensuring product is rotated properly
• Ensure shelf tags are properly placed and in good shape; request new ones if needed.
• Store backstock according to established procedures.
• Work backstock to sales floor regularly.
• Record shrink according to established procedures.
• Assist in building endcaps, promotional displays, and category resets as needed.
• Maintain communication in regards to receiving, backroom operations, and store condition with all appropriate personnel.

Maintenance & Security

• Keep grocery aisles as clear as possible of carts, cardboard, and stepladders during stocking, and remove completely when not stocking.
• Front and face aisles as needed.
• Keep backroom, backstock areas, receiving areas, and equipment in clean and orderly condition, reporting any damaged equipment or safety concerns to the Grocery Manager
• Take out trash, recycling, and cardboard promptly.
• Ensure back door is secure at all times.

Teamwork/ Problem Solving

• Work cooperatively with other staff, both within the department and other departments to achieve overall Co-op needs.
• Contribute to an environment of harmony, positivity, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Accept and offer feedback and suggestions openly and respectfully.
• Talk directly to people involved.

Other

• Participate in quarterly inventory counts.
• Attend department and all-staff meetings.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the management team.
• Assist and direct working members as needed.

Requirements

• Experience serving the public.
• Familiarity with natural foods.
• Ability to project friendly, outgoing personality.
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly.
• Ability to repetitively twist, bend, stretch, and reach.
• Ability to handle multiple demands.
• Organized, attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.
• Regular, predictable attendance.
• Self-motivated; ability to work independently.