Regional Produce Merchandiser: Local Sourcing

Fresh Market Inc.; Fisher Park (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team member discount up to 40%

Health, Dental & Vision insurance for1

401K contribution and match

Personal time off and time offpurchase

Job summary

The Fresh Market is seeking a Local Produce Merchandiser to drive the execution and differentiation of our produce program across stores in a defined region. You’ll connect growers, merchants, and store teams to present produce compellingly and consistently, enhancing the guest experience.

You’ll spend significant time in stores evaluating merchandising standards, product quality, and regional opportunities, partnering with local suppliers and teams to bring programs to life and grow margins.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience in produce merchandising, store operations, field leadership, category management, or fresh food retail.
• Strong understanding of produce merchandising, seasonality, freshness management, and display principles.
• Experience working directly with store teams and operational execution.
• Ability to analyze sales performance and identify merchandising opportunities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and retail reporting tools.
• Ability to travel extensively to stores, farms, supplier locations, and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of The Fresh Market's produce strategy across selected stores and regions.
• Identify assortment, sourcing, and merchandising opportunities that align with customer demand, seasonality, and regional market trends.
• Source and launch localized, regional, and seasonal products that support category objectives, brand standards, and guest preferences.
• Negotiate localized purchases and supplier agreements that deliver value and support margin and category goals.
• Work with growers and suppliers to ensure quality, service, and supply continuity.
• Identify and execute regional spot-buy, promotional, and sales-driving opportunities that enhance the guest experience and drive category performance.
• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate product quality, merchandising standards, display effectiveness, and program execution.
• Coach store teams on merchandising best practices, display techniques, seasonal transitions, and local storytelling.
• Partner with operations and store leadership teams to drive consistent execution and improve business results.
• Identify and share merchandising best practices across stores and regions.
• Support local item launches and seasonal transitions through store communication and field execution.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with growers, suppliers, and local market partners.
• Visit farms, growing regions, supplier facilities, and wholesale markets to identify sourcing and innovation opportunities.
• Support local grower events, product showcases, community partnerships, and seasonal promotional programs.
• Evaluate potential supplier partnerships and provide recommendations to merchandising leadership.
• Work closely with the broader Merchandising team to ensure localized sourcing, assortment, and promotional decisions align with overall category strategies and business objectives.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Food Safety, and Store Operations teams.
• Support the development and execution of seasonal, promotional, and local marketing initiatives.
• Provide field insights, customer feedback, and market intelligence to help shape future category strategies.
• Champion The Fresh Market's culture of Passion, Hospitality, Excellence, and Teamwork.

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Retail reporting tools

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Fresh Market is seeking a Local Produce Merchandiser to drive the execution and differentiation of our produce program across stores in a defined region. You’ll connect growers, merchants, and store teams to present produce compellingly and consistently, enhancing the guest experience.

You’ll spend significant time in stores evaluating merchandising standards, product quality, and regional opportunities, partnering with local suppliers and teams to bring programs to life and grow margins.