Produce Department Lead

Horizon Goodwill; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizon Market seeks a Produce Department Lead to own the floor, maintain ripe, crisp fruit and vegetables, and lead daily operations for fresh produce. You will manage inventory, ordering, merchandising, and quality control while ensuring excellent freshness and customer service.

The role focuses on high-quality displays, proper labeling, and seasonal transitions, with emphasis on food safety, FIFO rotation, and clean, organized bins throughout the shift.

Qualifications

• Manage fresh produce inventory with FIFO to minimize shrink
• Provide expert product knowledge and ripeness guidance to customers
• Ensure displays are visually appealing and seasonally updated
• Maintain sanitation and safety standards in produce areas
• Operate with strong communication and teamwork to meet department goals

Responsibilities

• Oversee ordering, receiving, and verification of produce quantities
• Cull and rotate stock to maintain a just-picked appearance
• Prepare in-store cut items with food safety standards
• Assist customers with ripeness, storage tips, and flavor profiles

Skills

Inventory management

Communication

Critical thinking

Team collaboration

Merchandising

Product knowledge

Reliability

Digital technology

Education

Maryland Food Handler certification

Job description

Job Summary:The Produce Department Lead is responsible for the daily execution, ordering, merchandising, inventory and quality control of the fresh produce department at Horizon Market. In this role, you focus on maintaining a vibrant, high-quality \"Fresh First\" program—managing highly perishable inventory, ensuring seasonal displays are visually stunning, and providing expert product knowledge to our customers. The Produce Lead is the \"owner\" of the floor, ensuring every fruit and vegetable on display is ripe, crisp, and presented with the highest standards of cleanliness.Essential Functions1. Inventory & Stock ManagementReceiving & Verification: Oversee the ordering, delivery and inventory of all fresh produce; verify piece counts and weights against invoices and inspect for quality, ripeness, and potential bruising or spoilage.Culling & Quality Control: Perform \"crisp and cull\" routines multiple times daily—remove distressed items and trimming products to maintain a \"just-picked\" appearance.Stocking & Rotation: Ensure all displays are fully stocked and strictly follow FIFO (First-In, First-Out) rotation to minimize shrink and maximize shelf life.2. Merchandising & PresentationVisual Displays: Maintain clean, organized, and color-balanced displays. Utilize seasonal transitions to highlight peak-flavor items (e.g., Maryland-grown corn or summer stone fruits).Signage: Ensure all items have accurate pricing, clear country of origin labeling (local vs. imported), and appropriate organic/conventional distinction.Prep & Value-Add: Manage the preparation of any \"cut-in-store\" items (like fruit bowls or veggie trays) ensuring strict adherence to food safety and presentation guidelines.3. Department Standards & SafetySanitation: Maintain the cleanliness of produce bins, misting systems, and walk-in coolers. Ensure the \"wet rack\" is properly drained and free of debris.Environmental Control: Monitor and adjust humidity and temperature settings in display cases to prolong the life of sensitive greens and berries.Safety Compliance: Adhere to all Maryland Health Department regulations for handling raw, unprocessed foods.4. Customer EngagementAct as the department expert, assisting customers with questions about ripeness, storage tips, and flavor profiles.Monitor customer feedback regarding variety and report trends or requests for specific seasonal or ethnic produce to the Store Manager.CompetenciesOral/Written CommunicationArticulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms.Critical Thinking/Problem SolvingObtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data to make decisions and overcome problems. Proactively alerting the Store Manager to quality issues with suppliers or potential \"markdown\" opportunities to move product before it expires.Teamwork/CollaborationWork within a team structure and can negotiate and manage conflict. Exhibit a positive workplace attitude that encourages advancement towards common goals.Digital TechnologyDemonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly, and ability to learn from mistakes.MerchandisingDisplays must look abundant and clean at the start of every shift and before peak evening hours. Zero tolerance for wilted, bruised, or decaying products on the sales floor.Product KnowledgeStrong understanding of seasonal cycles, ripeness indicators, and proper storage for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.ReliabilityPunctuality is a must—our customers rely on us being open and ready.Education and experienceQualificationsAge Requirement: Must be 18 or older (required for tobacco/lottery sales in this jurisdiction).Physical Requirements: Ability to lift to 50 lbs (cases of potatoes/melons) and work in a fast-paced, occasionally cold environment where you are on your feet for most of the shift.Experience: 1–2 years of experience in a grocery or retail environment, specifically within a produce or perishable department.Certifications: Ability to obtain a Maryland Food Handler’s card or equivalent local certification if required.Career PathShift ManagerAssistant ManagerStore Manager