Produce Department Associate

California Fresh Market; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

California Fresh Market is seeking a Produce Associate to select, price, display, and promote fresh produce while ensuring department cleanliness and product quality. You will handle receiving, merchandising, customer service, and inventory tasks in a fast-paced retail setting.

Responsibilities include rotating stock, checking temperatures, maintaining accurate signage, assisting customers, and supporting other departments as needed.

Qualifications

• At least 1+ years of experience in retail produce.
• Knowledge of organic and commercial growing practices.
• Knowledge of current trends in conventional & organic foods industry.
• Ability to handle multiple demands.
• Clear directions and good listening skills.
• Experience serving the public.
• Friendly, outgoing personality.
• Able to lift up to 40 lb frequently and up to 75 lb occasionally.
• Able to stand for long periods and work in cold/wet conditions.
• Able to read and interpret documents; prioritize tasks; work weekends.

Responsibilities

• Receiving: verify loads, report discrepancies, rotate stock, and date-code products.
• Department maintenance: keep shelves clean, labeled, and stock rotation on point.
• Merchandising: create appealing displays, replenish stock, and maintain signage.
• Customer service: assist customers, handle special orders, respond to feedback.
• Other tasks: participate in inventories and assist other departments as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Multi-tasking

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Job description

Description

A Produce Associate's job is to select, price, display, and promote fresh produce. A Produce Associate is also tasked with ensuring department cleanliness, price integrity, quality control, training, merchandising, and receiving.

Receiving:

Check the load against the invoice for proper billing. Report overages and shortages to suppliers. Inspect all products for quality and condition. Identify products that are not acceptable, report to the supplier and request credit. Put load away in designated storage area, while maintaining proper rotation and cleanliness. Code date all product to assist in proper rotation.

Department Maintenance:

Coordinate storage of items to be returned to suppliers. See that unsellable items are properly disposed of. Keep accurate shrinkage logs. Ensure that produce shelves, displays, aisles, prep & storage areas are in clean, orderly conditions, meeting all health department standards. Ensure trash is removed; sales floor and prep areas are swept and mopped daily. Perform daily cooler & sales floor temperature checks. Ensure freshness and quality through rotation of product throughout the department. Maintain a cleaning log for the sales floor and produce retail area. Have items marked down as needed to reduce losses. Perform equipment checks to ensure department equipment is in working order.

Merchandising:

Plan attractive produce displays, using color and texture to enhance. Ensure displays are replenished, rotated, culled daily. Price produce to achieve margin and sales goals, while maintaining a competitive image. Ensure building and maintaining of in-store displays, according to established standards for appearance, variety and ease of shopping and stocking. Stock items as needed. Ensure accurate, up-to-date uniform department signs.

Customer Service:

Assist customers produce questions in prompt friendly manner. Assist customers with special orders and oversee special orders system in the department to ensure customers receive their orders. Respond to produce department customer suggestions, comments & complaints in a reasonable manner. Always make our customers know that they are important and special, assist in any other department as needed. Answer & route phone calls.

Other Responsibilities:

Perform other tasks assigned by management. Assist other customers in all departments, in prompt friendly courteous manger, referring them to other staff when necessary. Plan & participate in department inventories according to established policy. Maintain department logs, cleaning schedules, safety materials, and inventory documents.

Requirements

At least 1+ years of experience in retail produce

Knowledge of organic and commercial growing practices

Knowledge of current trends in conventional & organic foods industry

Demonstrates the ability to handle multiple demands

Communications skills – clear directions, good listener

Experience serving the public

Ability to project friendly, outgoing personality

Ability to lift heavy boxes frequently up to 40 pounds and occasionally buddy lift to 75 pounds

Ability to stand for long periods

Ability to work in cold, wet conditions

Prolonged standing, walking, squatting, and/or bending

Repetitive use - hand to finger motions, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms

Must be able to adjust vision to both day and night lighting and be able to focus on distant and close-range projects

Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff

Ability to read and interpret documents such as department manuals and reports

Ability to prioritize work tasks, multi-task, and maintain focus

Willingness to work weekends

Regular, predictable attendance

Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job

Travel may be required

Evening/night work may be required