Friendship Produce Manager

Seward Community Coop- Friendship Store

Job Description

Produce Manager

Purpose: Lead department staff, manage product and finances, and follow Seward Co-op processes in support of Seward Co-op Ends and department goals. Support the growth of the Co-op through participation on the Friendship Store Management team.

Status: Full time. Reports to Friendship Store Director

Pay Level: VII

Salary ranges between $58,656 - $75,000  and is based off previous years of experience

Responsibilities:

People – Ensure all customers and employees in the Produce department are treated with respect and dignity

·         Customer Service

o   Employ prompt, courteous customer service at all times

o   Ensure department personnel are equipped to provide excellent customer service to all Seward customers

o   Respond to all customer comments within required time-frame

o   Maintain a department schedule that ensures adequate staff coverage to provide excellent customer service and meets department operational needs

·         Personnel Management

o   Uphold all store policies and procedures

o   Hire staff following established processes

o   Monitor employee performance and follow established disciplinary processes as appropriate

o   Ensure staff performance evaluations are completed in a timely fashion

o   Evaluate and propose staff pay changes during Department pay review months

o   Schedule full department meetings at a minimum of every other month

v  Hold a department huddle, a short and frequent meeting, at least once per week

o   Recommend and follow-through on development opportunities for staff

o   Communicate storewide information, such as policy changes and all-staff meeting schedules, to department staff

o   Develop and maintain training materials for all department positions that reflect current processes and procedures

o   Develop a department succession plan

·         Safety

o   Run the department in a manner that allows for a safe shopping and working environment. Address or report all potential safety threats to appropriate party for correction

o   Act as floor warden during emergencies per training provided

o   Following established procedure, assist the department safety committee representative in the timely and regular participation on the Seward Co-op Safety Committee

Product – Follow store and department product standards while merchandising a beautiful and well-stocked department

·         Purchasing

o   Oversee and create efficiencies in ordering, receiving and stocking procedures

o   Work with Merchandising department to manage broker and vendor relationships

o   Negotiate price and terms with suppliers in-support of Co-op Ends

o   Maintain a special order program in the department

o   Lead a consistent and accurate quarterly inventory process

o   Maintain product order histories

o   Ensure product mix reflects trends in natural foods industry

o   Follow or establish systems for the accurate and timely submission of product data to the Scanning department

o   Limit out-of-stock products without allowing co-op resources to be tied up in slow turning inventory

o   Handle samples and free products in a manner consistent with the Seward Co-op Free Product policy

o   Follow store procedures and government regulation in managing product in a manner that does not compromise consumer health or safety

·         Merchandising & Marketing

o   Follow merchandising guidelines to create an excellent shopping experience in the department and the store

o   Maintain product displays and slot new items to the shelf following planograms and/or merchandising guidelines.

o   Participate on the Merchandising team

o   Meet all deadlines associated with NCGA and Seward Co-op promotions programs

o   Work with merchandising staff to implement resets and cross-merchandising.

o   Set up and take down promotional displays and specials signage in alignment with merchandising planners. 

o   Implement Limited Time Offers and product clearances to sell through overstock and discontinued product.

o   Maintain fixtures and signage in good condition; request new signage and fixtures as needed.

o   Work with merchandising staff to facilitate merchandising and product training for store staff.

o   Provide input to Merchandising staff regarding department layout, promotions, marketing, product assortment, customer requests, vendor issues, and merchandising objectives.

o   Manage product recalls following established procedures.

o   Meet regularly with the Merchandising manager to set and monitor progress towards merchandising goals and plan department layout, fixtures, signage and promotions

o   Facilitate category management process

o   Ensure that product selection follows store and department product standards

o   Support P6 and other priority products through purchasing and promotion

o   Document customer product requests and communicate with merchandising staff

o   Collaborate with Demo staff to provide samples to customers

o   Provide content for the Sprout! newsletter, store sales flyer, and other merchandising and marketing materials including electronic media

Financial Performance – Work with Store Manager and Finance Manager to project and achieve financial goals

·         Ensure the accurate projection of labor in the quarterly budgeting process

·         Following Seward Co-op’s pricing strategy, implementing a pricing plan that allows the department to achieve margin goals while ensuring competitive pricing

·         Complete quarterly Market Basket comparisons and price adjustments

·         Manage department fun budget

·         Manage department supply and small wares budget

Additional Responsibilities

·         Adhere to the Seward Co-op Code of Ethics

·         Support the Seward Co-op Scorecard through initiatives and as requested

·         Follow all co-op policies and procedures

·         Participate as a member of the Store, Purchasing and Management Teams, and ad hoc committees as requested

·         Cooperate with other departments to further the overall good of the store

·         Attend appropriate national conferences or industry events as appropriate

·         Contribute written articles to the Scoop and Sprout! publications as required

·         Submit Monthly Manager Report to Store Manager

·         Other tasks as assigned by Store Manager

Qualifications:

Essential

·         Supervisory experience, including hiring, training and evaluations

·         Excellent customer service skills

·         Minimum of three years experience working with Produce in a retail setting

·         Proven effective verbal and written communication skills

·         Proficiency with Microsoft Office products

·         Demonstrated ability to work with customers and co-workers from various cultural backgrounds

·         Demonstrated success in financial management of product and labor

·         Willingness to work with others in a team atmosphere

·         English proficiency

Functional

·         Ability to stand, bend, stoop, reach, squat and walk for extended periods of time per shift

·         Bend and lift loads, not to exceed 50 pounds.  Push and pull carts weighing up to 100 pounds.

·         Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation.

·         Environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, ovens, freezer, outdoors, etc.)

·         Ability to operate equipment such as: rotisserie, Robot Coupe, food processor, shrink wrap machine, manual and/or electric scales, recalibrate and read thermometers, convection oven, stove, knives and commercial dishwasher.

·         Ability to freely access all areas of the store including offices, sales floor, back stock areas, and walk-in coolers and freezers.

·         Ability to move or handle merchandise throughout the store generally weighing up to 50 pounds.

·         Ability to be able to focus on and read a computer screen for extended periods of time

Preferred

·         Familiarity with co-operative business model and natural foods products

·         Experience creating dynamic and appealing produce displays

·         Proficiency with Microsoft Office products

·         Multilingual is a plus

·         Demonstrated ability to work with customers and co-workers from various cultural backgrounds

Salary : $58,656 - $75,000