Job Description

TITLE: Produce Assistant DEPARTMENT: Produce

STATUS: FT, Assistant, Union, Hourly REPORTS TO: Produce Manager

To ensure the highest level of service possible to Outpost’s internal and external customers. Supervise and motivate produce staff to uphold high standards in the department. Order product to maintain a fully stocked department. Ensure a well maintained, clean, and efficient produce department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Fast paced retail floor. Regular work near moving mechanical parts (i.e. baler, dock equipment), in high precarious places (i.e. ladder work), and in cold climate conditions (i.e. cooler). Ability to work in moderate and loud noise environments including, but not limited to: computers, paging, telephones, human voices, and machinery. Position requires working during busy retail times, which include weekends, afternoons, and evenings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
1. Customer Service
a. Treat people fairly, consistently, and with respect.
b. Ensure efficient, informative, and friendly service according to established customer service vision and standards.
2. Produce Department Responsibilities
Department Operations
a. Plan, organize, and supervise all department operations in absence of produce manager.
b. Stay up to date on the products of department.
c. Ensure that the integrity of organic products is maintained.
d. Oversee the receiving, prepping, stocking, and culling of produce.
e. Properly record credits, returns, and losses.
f. Ensure aisles, backstock and storage areas are kept clean, neat, and free of debris.
g. Maintain an organized layout of back stock areas.
h. Uphold department safety guidelines to ensure the safety of all department staff.
i. Uphold department’s sanitation standards and health department requirements for food storage and handling. Ensure staff do the same.
j. Advise produce manager of equipment repair/replacement needs.
k. Assist with department resets and quarterly inventory.
l. Attend department meetings as scheduled.
Ordering and Receiving
a. Assist with the ordering of produce to ensure department is fully stocked, while keeping inventory to a minimum.
b. Maintain knowledge of seasonal changes of produce and customer preferences.
c. Receive and process deliveries. Check product condition and invoice accuracy upon delivery. Ensure correct product rotation.
d. Ensure deliveries are stocked in a timely manner.
e. Ensure proper handling of perishable product to ensure a safe and quality product.
f. Assist with product returns and receive credit from suppliers as needed.
g. Report problems with product and/or suppliers to produce manager.
h. Assist in inventory control including: accurate recording of losses and markdown of products, maintaining invoices for accuracy and price changes, and assisting in inventories.
Merchandising
a. Ensure all produce display areas are fully stocked and rotated.
b. Ensure that all produce shelves, displays, aisles and storage areas are in a clean, orderly condition.
c. Ensure proper signs are on shelves and displays.
d. Request signs as needed.
e. Set up and maintain attractive displays.
f. Assist produce manager in maintaining proper product space.
g. Ensure that merchandising guidelines are adhered to.
Personnel
a. Assign daily tasks to produce staff and ensure they are always busy.
b. Positively encourage department staff to excel at their job.
c. Provide guidance and motivation and properly answer questions for department staff.
d. Replace vacant shifts when call ins, etc. occur. Notify manager of these occurrences.
e. Assist in training department staff.
f. Ensure produce staff is following department standard operating procedures.
g. Assist produce manager with employee job performance. Properly document employee performance during shift, when necessary.
h. Assist produce manager in informing staff of any changes in policies and procedures affecting department staff.
Other
a. Perform all duties included in department journeyperson and clerk job descriptions.
b. Perform manager duties in their absence.
3. All Staff Duties
a. Abide by all Co-op policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and other company documents.
b. Keep store orderly and clean.
c. Maintain a positive attitude.
d. Perform all other duties as assigned by department manager or supervisory staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Previous produce experience
• Previous supervisory experience
• Previous experience with stocking, ordering, and receiving in a retail setting
• Ability to appropriately delegate work duties and manage and motivate staff
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills
• Ability to handle multiple demands, work under time pressures, and meet deadlines
• Willingness to be open, to learn, and take on new responsibilities
• Demonstrate objectivity, neutrality and calmness under pressure
• Regular, predictable attendance
• Effective communication skills in English
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions
• Ability to follow through on systems, procedures and policies
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: