Specialty Team Leader (Beer, Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Department Manager)

Provides overall leadership to the Specialty team. Responsible for all aspects of daily operations including profitability, expense control, buying, merchandising, labor, regulatory compliance, and special projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Holds Associate Team Leaders (ATLs), supervisors, and Team Members accountable for delivering outstanding customer service.
• Defines and develops clear expectations to achieve the highest standards of retail execution.
• Effectively delegates to and empowers ATLs and Team Members.
• Accountable for monitoring and achieving sales, margin, expense, and labor targets.
• Maintains proper product assortment, merchandising, and inventory control.
• Ensures products are cross-merchandised in accordance with regional and global guidelines.
• Ensures adherence to category management schedule and planograms.
• Ensures nutritional aspects are displayed correctly.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative and productive working relationships with departmental and store leadership.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of and ensures compliance with relevant regulatory rules and standards.
• 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 and directs Team Members as necessary to satisfy and delight customers; responds promptly to customer needs and questions.
• Selects, trains, develops, mentors, motivates, and counsels Team Members in a manner that sustains a high-performance team and minimizes turnover.
• Communicates and maintains Team Member safety and security standards.
• Provides timely, thorough, and thoughtful performance evaluations.
• Consistently communicates and models Whole Foods Market vision and goals.

Skills

• Sustains exceptional level of knowledge and awareness of relevant competitors and industry trends.
• Advanced knowledge of products, buying, pricing, merchandising, and inventory management.
• Food safety certification (if not currently certified, will commit to completing certification within 6 months).
• 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.

Requirements

• 24+ months retail experience including 12+ months of team leadership experience.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• 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 work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• Where applicable, TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol) course completion required and must be age 18 years of age or older to serve alcohol.

Pay

The wage range for this position is $23.60-$42.50 hourly.

Benefits

Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits," including:

• 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).