Produce Clerk

Community Food Coop; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Medical/dental/vision

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Pay on Demand

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Community Food Co-op is hiring a Produce Team Member in Bellingham, WA. You will support ordering, receiving, stocking, rotation, and display of fresh produce while delivering excellent customer service in a collaborative team environment.

You will help maintain department cleanliness and safety, learn seasonal and organic produce, and interact with shoppers, coworkers, and vendors. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with weekend/evening shifts.

Qualifications

• Friendly, reliable, and customer-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.
• Basic knowledge of fruits and vegetables, handling and storage.
• Familiarity with organic standards (USDA Organic, Non-GMO) preferred.
• Previous produce, grocery, farm, or food co-op experience preferred.
• Eagerness to learn about produce operations and the natural foods industry.
• Strong verbal communication; multilingual abilities are a plus.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Responsibilities

• Provide friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming customer service.
• Stay informed about store promotions and featured items.
• Stock, rotate, face, and display produce according to department standards.
• Merchandise product to enhance the customer experience and maximize sales, with accurate signage and pricing.
• Maintain department cleanliness, safety, and organization.
• Follow food safety and sanitation practices meeting health department standards.
• Monitor product quality and remove damaged items as needed.
• Receive product deliveries and verify invoice accuracy.
• Occasionally place orders as directed by managers.
• Accurately catalog invoices and file paperwork.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Produce knowledge

Communication

Team player

18+

Job description

WHO WE ARE

We’re a community-owned natural foods grocery store passionate about high-quality food, sustainability, and the cooperative business model. Our mission is rooted in serving our community while creating a workplace that is inclusive, engaging, and supportive. We strive to set a high standard for employment practices by fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and growth. We’re looking for positive, self-motivated people who take pride in delivering excellent customer service, value the quality of their work, show up reliably for their team, and enjoy working together to make a meaningful impact every day.

Job Title: Produce Team Member

Reports to: Produce Managers

Status: Non-Exempt, Union Classification Level 1

Full-Time: 30-40h a week, weekend and evening shifts

POSITION SUMMARY

As a Produce Team Member, you’ll support the daily operations of the produce department by assisting with ordering, receiving, stocking, rotation, and display of fresh produce. You’ll help maintain department cleanliness and safety while delivering excellent customer service to shoppers, coworkers, and vendors. This position offers opportunities to grow your knowledge of seasonal and organic produce in a collaborative team environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming customer service.
• Stay informed about store promotions and featured items.
• Stock, rotate, face, and display produce according to department standards.
• Merchandise product to enhance the customer experience and maximize sales, ensuring accurate signage and pricing.
• Maintain cleanliness, safety, and organization in the department and back stock areas.
• Follow food safety and sanitation practices that meet health department standards, including regular cleaning of tools, equipment, and work areas.
• Monitor product quality and promptly remove damaged or spoiled items.
• Receive product deliveries and verify invoice accuracy.
• Occasionally place orders as directed by department managers.
• Accurately catalog invoices, file paperwork, and separate special orders.
• Operate equipment safely and according to procedures (e.g., pallet jack, baler, walkie).
• Report safety hazards or equipment issues to management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Friendly, reliable, and customer-focused with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask effectively.
• Basic knowledge of fruits and vegetables, including handling, storage, and seasonal availability.
• Familiarity with organic standards and natural foods preferred (e.g., USDA Organic, Non-GMO).
• Previous produce, grocery, farm, or food co-op experience preferred.
• Eagerness to learn about produce operations and the natural foods industry.
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to interact clearly and effectively with customers and team members; multilingual abilities are a plus.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Requirements

• Ability to work in environments with moderate to loud noise (e.g., phones, music, conversations, machinery).
• Regularly required to stand, bend, twist, push/pull carts, perform repetitive motions, and lift 10–50 pounds.
• Frequent use of hands for grasping, handling, reaching, holding, and performing repetitive movement.
• Comfortable operating equipment such as pallet jacks, walkies, balers, and forklifts.
• Ability to tolerate cold and varying temperatures (coolers, freezers, outdoor weather).
• Occasionally required to climb ladders.

BENEFITS AT THE CO-OP

• Up to 25% staff discount & access to wholesale orders
• Great medical/dental/vision and supplemental insurance options
• 401(k) w/match
• Paid time offPay on DemandPotential year-end bonusAccess to employee assistance program

  UNION AFFILIATION:

  This position is represented by Teamsters Local 231. Terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and working conditions, are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the Community Food Co-op and the union.

  EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

  The Community Food Co-op is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

  IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:

  Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the Co-op, even if doing so requires actions or responsibilities not listed in the above job description. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned which are not considered essential and may not be listed here.