Produce Team Leader

Metropolitan Market; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Market in Kirkland seeks a Produce Team Leader to oversee product management, food safety, merchandising, and profitability within the department.

You will mentor staff and educate guests on product selection and meal solutions while managing inventory, vendor relations, and costs in a busy produce area.

Qualifications

• Lead product management and merchandising within the Produce Department.
• Maintain inventory and control costs to maximize sales.
• Educate team and guests on product selection and meal ideas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain product displays to stimulate guest interest.
• Ensure accurate inventory and optimize order quantities with vendors.
• Verify vendor invoices and manage discrepancies with AP.
• Promote food safety, quality control, and cost management within the department.

Skills

Food safety

Merchandising

Inventory management

Vendor relations

Team leadership

Job description

Position Description

Metropolitan Market

Position Title: Produce Team Leader

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification: Union

Department: Operations, Produce

Reports To: Store Director

Job Summary: As leader of our Produce Department, this position is responsible for product management, food safety, quality control, merchandising, sales generation, gross margins, labor and general expense control, personnel development, work safety, guest service, and profitability within the department. This position is also responsible for the education of team members and guests in the areas of product selection, recipe ideas, and meal solutions.

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

I. Product Management

• Develops and maintains product displays in order to create an exciting marketplace; strives to develop displays that pique guest interest and impact guest buying trends. Ensures all department merchandising is consistent with company guidelines, expectations, and approved merchandising plans.

• Ensures effective ordering of all products for the Produce Department; maintains product inventory at a level that promotes creative and effective sales merchandising and maximizes sales potential. Coordinates with the Produce Team Leaders at alternate store locations to consolidate direct orders, thereby reducing out-of-stocks, excessive inventory, and freight costs.
• Participates in determining order quantities and verifying cost of goods. Assumes primary responsibility for store-level vendor relations, including in-store daily operations and meetings.
• Verifies items received from vendors meet company guidelines for quality, count, and condition. Ensures all mis-picks, damaged goods, and credits are processed and managed within established guidelines.
• Demonstrates effective inventory control, thereby minimizing unnecessary cost associated with excessive inventory, including supplies.
• Verifies correct invoice billing, including confirmation through the weekly general ledger, and Produce Department receiving log sheets; follows-up and resolves inaccurate billing; ensures the Accounts Payable Team Member is alerted to discrepancies between shipping document amount and invoice amount; ensures the Produce Coordinator is alerted to variances from vendor quoted or anticipated product cost and invoiced amount.
• Assists the Produce Coordinator in achieving the lowest cost of goods for the highest quality products; assesses product quality and provides timely feedback; keeps the Produce Coordinator informed of vendor price changes on approved products.
• Ensures effective informational and price point signing is posted for all products; assists the Produce Coordinator in developing effective product descriptions and establishing correct verbiage for all related signs/materials.
• Establishes and manages stocking standards that ensure high product quality, including established rotation procedures. Incorporates cleaning with stocking and rotation requirements.
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