Fresh Specialist- KCK

Specialist: Fresh Dept - Kansas City store

Job Summary

Co-op specialists work closely with department managers to consistently meet the needs of shoppers in a fast-paced service environment. Specialists are department leads. They assist the manager in reaching sales and profit goals established for the department, and monitor all established quality standards.

Fresh Department Specialists report to the Fresh Manager and collaborate with them to guide daily operations in Fresh departments including produce, meat & seafood, and the deli. They demonstrate exceptional communication skills, support department staff through training and problem solving, prioritize and delegate tasks, and assist in monitoring adherence to customer service standards, food quality, and equipment operation and safety standards.

Specialist Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with department manager to guide daily operations within the department
• Provide exceptional, prompt and friendly service in person and over the phone
• Calmly, courteously, and tactfully handle stressful situations and make a positive impression on staff and customers.
• Observe, adjust, and delegate tasks based on customer flow and department priorities
• Work with Manager to achieve cost, margin, expense and labor targets.
• Provide coaching and support training and skills development within the team
• Support initiatives for improving department processes
• Act as point person when Manager is not on shift during severe weather, shoplifting and disruptive situations, trouble shooting or correcting mechanical failure of department equipment, and communicating maintenance needs
• Comply with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions; report all safety risks to store management (ex: items in need of repair, customer or employee accidents, safety risks or issues including robbery, theft, or fraud).
• Gain and maintain knowledge of cooperative ownership and business model practices
• Gain and maintain knowledge of products sold within the store and be able to respond to questions and make suggestions about products.
• Stay current with present, future, seasonal and special promotions and ads.
• Willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Reports to work as scheduled and on time.

Fresh Specialist - Duties

• Purchase, receive, price, prepare, merchandise, return, and cull produce and products in compliance with established practices and standards
• Cut, prepare, wrap, and process all varieties of meat with attention to detail, ensure that all cuts are precise and consistent
• Prepare and package ready-to-eat foods according to department recipes and procedures, maintaining and demonstrating quality standards of the department
• Serve and assist customers, explain products, flavor, taste and preparation
• Support training for Safe Food Handling practices and safe equipment use including knives and production equipment
• Assist with management of inventory and ensuring products are fresh and high quality
• Assist with accurately updating and maintaining inventory in the Point of Sale system
• Ensure that all production, inventory, prep, and display racks are properly stored, labeled, and rotated.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with vendors
• Efficiently and accurately receive, record, code and track invoices
• Ensure department staff maintain a neat and clean department, including coolers, backstock and other storage spaces

Physical Requirements, Working Conditions Equipment

• Work requires standing/walking for 90% of a shift.
• Work requires the following motions: lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, twisting, squatting and reaching; hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery
• Must be able to work with various cleaning solutions, safely use sharp tools, and carefully operate all production equipment.

Storewide Standards & Values
All co-op staff are expected to model and demonstrate the co-op's values of hospitality, inclusion, and accountability.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

• Past work record reflects dependability and integrity
• Availability of 35 hours/week
• Flexibility of schedule to adapt and respond to the needs of the department.
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Effective organization and time management skills
• Proven ability to follow through on commitments, prioritize and reprioritize as necessary
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills
• Must have the ability to read written and interpret verbal or demonstrated instructions; write identifying information and make requests verbally or in writing
• Must be able to solve practical problems and work towards solutions
• Must be able to perform simple addition and subtraction, as well as counting and recording

Preferred Skills & Experience

• The ideal candidate will have lead or supervisory experience in a produce, meat/butcher, or grocery environment and the ability to use discretion to execute the daily operation of the department without direct supervision.
• Knowledge of health and safety standards
• Ability to multitask and work quickly under pressure
• Product knowledge
• Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office Suite and digital communication

Salary & Benefits

• $16.96 - $18.00
• 20% employee discount
• vacation and paid time off accrual
• medical, dental, vision insurance (at 30 hours per week)
• free life insurance
• pet insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3% match
• birthday and service anniversary recognition
• free community classes

About Us
Who says fresh, local and organic has to be exclusive? Not us. At The Merc Co op, we think that all of us, every parent and caregiver, every coach, every friend, every teacher and every kid are hungry for affordable, healthy, delicious food. Our co-op is on a mission to make sure that everyone in our community has access!

The Merc Co op is a grocery store owned by our community, not some corporate office 1,000 miles away. So, instead of focusing on Wall Street investors, we focus on what our neighbors want — nourishing everyone according to their budget and cooking style. We know how to get the best local food because we know our farmers by name. And, we’re passionate about giving back to our community because we know that good food is just the beginning of what we can achieve by working together. So, if you want the neighborhood gathering place for fresh, healthy and delicious food, our doors are wide open — to everyone.

Note: The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level.

Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental location, and/or needs for the particular position. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position.