Manager - Produce

**Are you an experienced produce professional with a passion for fresh fruits and vegetables, exceptional merchandising, and leading high-performing teams?** Our Produce Department is known for its vibrant displays, exceptional freshness, and premium quality. As Produce Department Manager, you'll lead every aspect of the department—from maintaining the highest standards for fresh fruits and vegetables to developing your team, driving sales, and creating an outstanding shopping experience. **Growth & Learning at Joseph’s** At Joseph’s Classic Market, we believe in growing leaders from within. As a Produce Department Manager, you’ll continue building leadership and operational skills while learning the ins and outs of produce sourcing, merchandising, and shrink control. We value managers who are eager to grow, mentor their teams, and advance within our organization. Many of our senior leaders began in department-level roles, and we support managers who are motivated to grow, coach others, and advance their careers. **Key Responsibilities** - **Department Operations** - Oversee the daily operations of the produce department, including prep, display, and storage - Implement and maintain opening, mid-day, and closing procedures - Ensure all displays are full, clean, rotated, and well-merchandised - Lead seasonal reset planning and execution - Maintain cleanliness and organization of coolers, prep area, and sales floor - **Product Quality & Freshness** - Inspect incoming deliveries for quality, freshness, and proper temperature - Rotate stock using FIFO and track spoilage - Remove aging or damaged produce to maintain visual appeal and reduce shrink - Ensure organic and conventional products are properly separated and labeled - **Food Safety & Sanitation** - Enforce food safety procedures and safe produce handling standards - Maintain proper storage temperatures and accurate cooler logs - Ensure proper labeling and signage, including allergens and organic certifications - Comply with all health and safety regulations and maintain audit readiness - **Merchandising & Promotions** - Execute company and seasonal merchandising plans, weekly ads, and promotional displays - Create impactful displays to highlight local, organic, and specialty items - Coordinate with Marketing or Store Manager on demos and sales events - Maintain all department signage (pricing, PLU codes, organic certification, etc.) - **Inventory Management** - Order produce from approved vendors to maintain optimal stock levels - Monitor shrink and implement controls to reduce loss - Track department inventory, write-offs, and waste logs - Receive deliveries, verify accuracy, and properly stock product - **Customer Service** - Lead by example in providing knowledgeable, friendly, and proactive service - Train staff to assist guests with questions about product selection, ripeness, and prep - Handle customer concerns and special requests professionally - Maintain a welcoming, helpful department experience - **Team Leadership** - Hire, train, schedule, and supervise produce associates - Provide coaching, support, and performance evaluations - Monitor department attendance and ensure associates adhere to scheduled shifts and company timekeeping policies, addressing any attendance or punctuality concerns promptly and consistently - Follow up on performance or attendance issues with proper documentation and corrective action when necessary, including disciplinary action forms, notes to file, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to support accountability and improvement within the department - Conduct daily pre-shift meetings to align team on prep goals and quality standards - Foster a safe, clean, team-oriented culture - Delegate tasks effectively to maximize productivity - **Reporting & Communication** - Submit weekly department metrics (sales, labor, shrink) to Store Manager - Communicate vendor issues, customer feedback, and department needs - Participate in leadership…