New Store – Perishable Associate Team Leader (Assistant Department Manager) – Bradenton, FL - Fall 2026

Assists the Team Leader in all aspects of Multi-Team and department 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 at all times. Performs duties in accordance with team and store Standard Operating Procedures and supports WFM core values and goals.

Responsibilities

• Follows through on customer questions and requests, resolving concerns as needed.
• Works with Team Leader to achieve sales, margin, expense, and labor targets.
• Assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports, and labor.
• Demonstrates advanced product knowledge and develops/maintains awareness of new products.
• Works with Team Leader to resolve team concerns or issues.
• Functions as point person and departmental person-in-charge in absence of Team Leader.
• Sets and achieves the highest standards of retail execution.
• Fosters and encourages a positive environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale.
• Maintains awareness of customer flows and needs; directs Team Members to satisfy and delight customers; responds promptly to customer needs and questions.
• Selects, trains, develops, mentors, motivates, and counsels Team Members to sustain a high-performance team and minimize turnover.
• Communicates and maintains Team Member safety and security standards.
• Consistently communicates and models WFM vision and goals.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative and productive working relationships with departmental and store leadership.
• Attends all meetings assigned by Leadership, including daily huddles.
• Promotes company programs and initiatives as needed.
• Maintains operational standards including safety and store security protocols.
• Ensures adherence to all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned by store or company leadership.

Skills

• High energy, enthusiastic, and displays an affinity for our products, core values, and company philosophy.
• Extensive knowledge of supported department(s) products.
• Growth mindset towards greater responsibility and ownership.
• Desire to coach and mentor others for growth.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills.
• Capable of teaching others in a positive and constructive manner.
• Thorough product knowledge.
• Advanced knowledge of regulatory and safety policies and procedures.
• Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability, leadership skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate.
• Proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications.

Qualifications

• 18+ months retail experience including 12+ months of team leadership experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must be 18+ years old.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Stand/walk for 6-8 hours per shift.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work in various temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Perform work in a wet and cold environment.
• Perform repeated motions: bending, reaching, grasping, twisting, squatting.
• Operate standard retail equipment safely including box cutters, knives, electric pallet jacks, forklifts, ladders, hand trucks, six-wheel carts, balers, and other heavy machinery.
• Exposure to refrigerated areas and FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.

Bradenton Structure (Echelon Model)

The Bradenton location will function with a consolidated team operational model with two key structural changes:

• A unified operations model that combines Center Store (Grocery, Specialty, Whole Body) and Perishables (Meat, Seafood, Produce) teams.
• The creation of a dedicated Inventory Management Team to centralize and optimize store inventory operations and order writing.

This transformation strengthens labor management foundations with a customer-obsessed, forward-thinking innovative approach to operational organization.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined team structures eliminate redundancies and create clearer execution pathways, reducing administrative burden on leadership while improving task completion rates.
• Enhanced Team Member Development: Cross-functional team design provides team members with diverse experience across multiple operational areas, creating transparent career pathways and building versatile skill sets.
• Improved Customer Experience: Demand-responsive scheduling and clearer role accountability ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time to serve customers.

Associate Team Leader Preferred Qualities

• Leadership & People Development:
  • Experience leading small teams (5-15 associates) or serving as a shift lead.
  • Demonstrates ability to train new team members and provide real-time coaching.
  • Builds positive relationships and holds peers accountable to standards.
• Innovation & Adaptability:
  • Open to learning new processes and systems.
  • Willing to try new approaches when current methods aren't working.
  • Adapts positively when schedules, tasks, or priorities change.
  • Shares feedback on what's working and what isn't.
• Operational Excellence:
  • Solid understanding of daily store operations in their department.
  • Follows standard operating procedures for inventory, merchandising, and safety.
  • Contributes to meeting team goals for productivity and quality.
• Self-Starter Mindset:
  • Proactively addresses issues without waiting to be told.
  • Takes ownership of their work area and looks for ways to improve.
  • Comfortable making routine decisions during their shift.
• Customer Focus:
  • Consistently delivers positive customer interactions.
  • Takes initiative to help customers and resolve basic concerns.
  • Models customer-first behaviors for other associates.

Pay

The wage range for this position is $19.05-$33.20 hourly.

Benefits

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

• Eligibility for a store discount.
• Paid time off.
• Financial wellness programs.
• Health & wellness support programs.
• Access to other Team Member perks.

Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal).