Assistant Produce Manager

About the role

The Assistant Produce Manager supports the Produce Manager in leading all aspects of produce department operations, including customer service, merchandising, inventory management, quality control, food safety, and associate development. This position helps ensure the department consistently delivers fresh, high-quality products while maintaining exceptional presentation standards, controlling shrink, driving sales, and achieving departmental goals.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional customer service by creating a welcoming and engaging shopping experience.
  • Aid customers with product selection, meal solutions, seasonal produce recommendations, and produce-related questions.
  • Ensure displays are attractive, fully stocked, properly signed, and customer-ready at all times.
  • Promote department sales through suggestive selling, sampling programs, and product knowledge.
  • Resolve customer concerns professionally and promptly.
• Affiliate with daily produce department activities, including receiving, stocking, rotation, culling, trimming, and merchandising.
  • Ensure all produce meets company standards for freshness, quality, appearance, and food safety.
  • Maintain inventory levels and assist with ordering to maintain in-stock conditions while minimizing shrink.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and efficient sales floors, prep areas, coolers, and backroom spaces.
  • Support execution of company merchandising plans and operational initiatives.
  • Ensure proper product handling, storage, and rotation procedures are consistently followed.
• Assist with supervising, training, coaching, and developing produce associates.
  • Support onboarding and continuous development of department team members.
  • Provide performance feedback, recognition, and coaching to improve productivity and service levels.
  • Foster a positive work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and customer service excellence.
  • Lead by example through professionalism, integrity, and strong work habits.
  • Assist with labor planning, scheduling, and workload management.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, company, and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain department readiness for food safety, operational, and compliance audits.
  • Ensure associates follow all workplace safety and sanitation standards.
  • Identify and address safety concerns or hazards promptly.
  • Support compliance with company policies and operational standards.
• Manage department sales, labor, inventory, and operating expenses.
  • Assist with shrink reduction efforts through effective ordering, inventory management, rotation practices, and product care.
  • Monitor sales trends and product movement to maximize sales opportunities and profitability.
  • Help achieve department productivity, sales, and financial goals.
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and department performance.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Previous produce, grocery, retail, or supervisory experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of produce products, merchandising practices, inventory management, and food safety standards is preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills are required.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving abilities are essential.
• Ability to multitask and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment is necessary.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays is required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and twisting.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments and varying temperature conditions.
• Ability to safely operate department equipment in accordance with company standards.

Success Measures

A successful Assistant Produce Manager demonstrates strong leadership, maintains exceptional freshness and quality standards, develops and supports associates, drives department sales and profitability, minimizes shrink, executes merchandising programs effectively, ensures compliance with food safety standards, and consistently delivers an outstanding customer experience while contributing to the overall success of the store.