Bakery Associate Team Leader (Assistant Department Manager)

About the Role

Assists the Team Leader in all aspects of daily operations including profitability, expense control, buying, merchandising, labor, regulatory compliance, and special projects as assigned. Leads and develops Team Members while ensuring a positive company image through courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members. Performs duties in accordance with team and store Standard Operating Procedures and supports Whole Foods Market core values and goals.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains creative store layout and product merchandising.
• Works with Team Leader to achieve sales, purchasing, and labor targets.
• Assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports, and labor.
• Demonstrates advanced product knowledge and maintains awareness of new products.
• Maintains good vendor relationships, develops new vendor relations, and ensures proper vendor processing paperwork.
• Resolves team concerns or issues in collaboration with the Team Leader.
• Functions as the point person and departmental person in charge in the absence of the Team Leader.
• Sets and achieves the highest standards of retail execution.
• Fosters a positive environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale.
• Directs Team Members to meet customer needs and responds promptly to customer inquiries.
• Selects, trains, develops, mentors, motivates, and counsels Team Members to sustain a high-performance team and minimize turnover.
• Provides timely, thorough, and thoughtful performance evaluations.
• Consistently communicates and models Whole Foods Market vision and goals.

Requirements

• 18+ months of retail Team Member experience and 6+ months of supervisory experience.
• High energy, enthusiastic, with a passion for Whole Foods Market products, core values, and company philosophy.
• Growth mindset toward greater responsibility and ownership.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team-building, and customer relationship skills.
• Ability to teach others in a positive and constructive manner.
• Thorough product knowledge and advanced understanding of regulatory and safety policies.
• Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory.
• Strong decision-making, leadership, prioritization, and delegation skills.
• Proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Standing/walking for 6-8 hours in an 8-hour workday.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Frequent motions: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals.
• Exposure to varying temperatures: <32°F (freezing), 32-40°F (refrigerators), >90°F.
• Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
• Flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• May require the use of ladders.

Pay

The wage range for this position is $21.55–$35.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits," which include:

• Store discount
• Paid time off
• Financial wellness programs
• Health and wellness support programs
• Access to other Team Member perks

Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined by the terms of the applicable plan at the date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (e.g., regular or seasonal).