Produce Clerk

Metropolitan Market; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Market is seeking a Produce Clerk to support the Produce Department in delivering exceptional customer service and quality produce. The role focuses on customer engagement, product preparation, and merchandising to drive sales while maintaining food safety standards.

The position involves working in a team-driven environment, with responsibilities spanning inventory, displays, labeling, and assisting with front-end checkout as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service and communication skills required.
• Knowledge of food safety/HACCP and health guidelines preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment and merchandize effectively.
• Demonstrates professionalism and confidentiality in all interactions.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and provide personalized service to build rapport.
• Assist with product selection, displays, and price sign accuracy.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the Produce area; ensure food safety standards.
• Participate in inventory, vendor relations, and product rotation processes.
• Support front-end operations and handle transactions as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Team player

Food knowledge

Upselling

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Adaptability

Job description

Position Description

Metropolitan Market

Position Title: Produce Clerk

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification: Union

Department: Operations, Produce

Reports To: Produce Team Leader

Job Summary: As a key member of our Produce Department, this position is responsible for customer service, sales generation, product preparation, food safety, quality control, work safety, and merchandising. Possesses adequate knowledge of produce and related products. Readily shares information and product selection advice with customers.

Essential Functions (include, but are not limited to the following):

I. Product Management

• Participates in determining order quantities and verifying cost of goods. Participates in maintaining positive store-level vendor relations.
• Assists Produce Department management with determining product selections; performs category management functions as assigned by Produce Department management or as needed.
• Verifies items received from vendors meet company guidelines for quality, count, and condition. Processes all mis-picks, damaged goods, and credits within established guidelines and reports information to Produce Department management. Complies with stocking standards that ensure high product quality, including rotation procedures. Incorporates cleaning with stocking and rotation requirements.
• Alerts Produce Department management of incorrect billing issues.
• Participates in physical inventory on a quarterly basis, or as needed.
• Assists with the development of and maintains product displays that create an exciting marketplace; strives to develop displays that pique customer interest and impact customer buying trends.
• Assists Produce Department management with ensuring effective informational and price point signing is posted for all products; assists Produce Department management in developing effective product descriptions and establishing correct verbiage for all related signs/materials.

II. Customer Service

• Immediately greets all customers; demonstrates genuine enthusiasm and sincerity; customizes approach to meet customer needs and build rapport. Creates customer loyalty through individualized service.
• Anticipates customer 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 customers, including item requests, questions, and concerns.
• Effectively shifts gears to meet customer needs; moves with ease from greeting to providing product information, up-selling, closing the sale, thanking customers, and inviting them back. Effectively assesses customers’ needs and appropriately suggests products. Offers customers opportunities to interact with products.
• Develops customer base by providing excellent customer service throughout the store; effectively secures the assistance of other store personnel as needed.
• Readily provides customers information on store layout, services, and activities (e.g., promotions and special products).
• Ensures all customer and other phone inquiries are handled with appropriate telephone etiquette, effectively providing consistent, friendly, and efficient service.
• Maintains Produce Department area in a clean, organized, customer-friendly manner; consistently provides customers a professional, upbeat atmosphere.

III. Operations

• Adheres to all food safety and sanitation requirements. Consistently demonstrates knowledge of HACCP and Department of Health provisions.
• Completes daily activities as assigned or needed; ensures daily tasks and assignments are accomplished correctly and in a timely manner.
• Participates in Produce Department staff meetings and store staff meetings as required.
• Maintains 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.
• Uses work-related equipment correctly under manufacturer guidelines.
• Adheres to company guidelines regarding prevention of internal and external loss, including risk management, accident prevention/safety awareness, and loss prevention.
• 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.
• Maintains safe environment for customers and employees; ensures hazardous conditions are promptly handled in an appropriate manner.
• Effectively uses telephone, paging, and voice mail systems in a professional manner.
• Fully capitalizes upon training, mentoring, and counseling opportunities. Actively identifies methods/ways to improve job performance and further contribute to the department as a whole. Self-initiates training and consistently demonstrates accountability.
• Participates in the training and mentoring processes of other team members as needed or assigned.
• Readily accepts delegated responsibilities and positively responds to the direction of Produce Department management. Accurately completes assigned projects within a given time frame.
• Understands proper procedures for customer telephone orders and effectively follows through with department guidelines.
• Performs Front End Checker duties as required by business needs, including all cash, check, debit/credit, and EBT transactions.

IV. 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.
• Achieves Metropolitan Market attendance requirements.
• Identifies opportunities for enhancement or improvement of processes/systems. Communicates promptly to the Produce Team Leader/Produce Assistant Team Leader. Recommends/implements solutions as appropriate.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Produce Team Leader and Produce Assistant Team Leader.

V. Physical Requirements

• Utilizes a variety of specific job-related equipment as required or assigned by an appropriate manager or supervisor.
• Reference page four of the Metropolitan Market Produce Clerk Position Description.

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.

• 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 knowledge of food safety and HACCP/Department of Health guidelines.
• Successful experience with food merchandising and display preferred.
• Possesses adequate product information with a proven history of using knowledge to best service customers. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding of food, including ingredients, applications, pronunciations, and culinary skills. Possesses a genuine passion for food.
• Proven success as a team member; demonstrated ability to work well with diverse groups of people.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills required.
• 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.

• Proven ability to meet attendance requirements, dependable.

• Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

Additional Performance Factors: (include, but are not limited to the following):

• Dependability: The employee can be depended upon to report to work as scheduled and is seldom absent from work. The employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner, and is conscientious about work assignments and deadlines.
• Communication: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the Company.
• Work Relationships: The employee works effectively and relates well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others, and works to build and maintain constructive working relationships. The employee accepts and applies constructive feedback in a professional and effective manner that enhances performance and resolves performance deficiencies.

_____________________________________ ___________________________________ __________________

Team Member Name (Print) Signature Date

_____________________________________ ___________________________________ __________________

Supervisor Name (Print) Signature Date

Metropolitan Market

Position Description Physical Requirements: Produce Clerk

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 driver’s license. X