Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Manager – Produce

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate leader with a deep love for fresh, high-quality produce? This role requires a results-oriented and customer-focused Produce Manager to take full ownership of our produce department's success. As the Produce Manager, you will be the driving force behind the department's financial performance, operational excellence, and team development. You will be responsible for everything from strategic merchandising and inventory control to cultivating a knowledgeable and engaged team. The ideal candidate is a hands-on manager who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment and is committed to delivering the freshest products and a world-class shopping experience for our customers. This is a critical leadership role that directly impacts store profitability and customer loyalty.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Produce Manager
Produce Department Team Lead
Senior Produce Clerk / Specialist

Advancement To:

Perishables Manager / Director
Assistant Store Manager / Director
Store Manager / Director

Lateral Moves:

Meat Department Manager
Deli / Bakery Manager
Center Store Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Drive departmental profitability by managing the P&L, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), and achieving established sales, margin, and labor targets.
Strategically manage department inventory levels through accurate forecasting, ordering, and receiving procedures to maximize product freshness and availability while minimizing shrink and waste.
Implement and maintain dynamic and visually appealing merchandising plans, including building creative displays for seasonal, promotional, and everyday items to attract customers and drive sales.
Ensure all products meet the highest standards of quality, freshness, and appearance by establishing and enforcing rigorous culling, rotation (FIFO), and quality control processes.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing department team, including recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, and conducting performance evaluations to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Provide exceptional customer service by actively engaging with customers, sharing product knowledge, offering samples and suggestions, and resolving any issues with professionalism and urgency.
Meticulously manage ordering and receiving processes, verifying shipments for quality and accuracy, and ensuring all products are stored and handled according to food safety standards.
Maintain a deep knowledge of produce seasonality, local sourcing opportunities, organic products, and market trends to inform purchasing decisions and educate both team members and customers.
Guarantee the department's compliance with all company policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal health, sanitation, and safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, temperature logs).
Develop and execute effective strategies to control shrink and waste, including tracking losses, implementing production planning tools, and managing a markdown or donation program.
Manage vendor relationships to ensure the procurement of high-quality products at competitive costs, negotiating terms and addressing any supplier performance issues.
Conduct regular department walks and audits to assess conditions, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure operational standards are consistently met.
Oversee the cutting, packaging, and pricing of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to production schedules.
Plan and execute departmental promotions and sales events in coordination with the store's overall marketing and promotional calendar.
Manage the department's labor budget effectively, creating weekly schedules that align with customer traffic patterns, task requirements, and payroll goals.
Champion a "safety-first" culture by ensuring all team members are trained on and adhere to proper equipment handling, cleaning procedures, and workplace safety protocols.
Analyze sales data, reports, and customer feedback to identify trends, make informed business decisions, and adapt strategies to meet changing market demands.
Train team members on all aspects of the produce operation, including product knowledge, customer service standards, food safety, and technical skills like trimming and display building.
Act as the primary point of contact for all department-related matters, communicating effectively with store leadership, team members, and corporate support partners.
Set clear performance goals and expectations for the team, providing regular feedback and coaching to help individuals grow and achieve their full potential.
Oversee the maintenance and sanitation of all department equipment, coolers, back-room storage, and sales floor fixtures to ensure a clean and safe environment.

Secondary Functions

Participate in store-wide manager-on-duty (MOD) shifts, overseeing total store operations as required.
Collaborate with other department managers to plan cross-promotional activities and create a cohesive, positive shopping experience throughout the store.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify new sales opportunities.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by providing frontline insights on inventory and sales.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

P&L Management: Proven ability to read, interpret, and manage a departmental profit and loss statement to drive financial results.
Inventory Control Systems: Proficiency with inventory management software, ordering systems, and handheld scanning devices.
Merchandising Expertise: Strong understanding of visual merchandising principles and the ability to create compelling, sales-driving product displays.
Food Safety Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and handling procedures; ServSafe certification is highly desirable.
Product Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of produce varieties, seasonality, quality standards, and storage requirements for a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
Computer Proficiency: Competency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) for reporting, communication, and scheduling.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Team Building: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and positive culture.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting effectively with customers, team members, and senior management.
Customer Service Excellence: A genuine passion for providing outstanding customer service and building lasting customer relationships.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to identify issues, analyze root causes, and implement effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Time Management & Organization: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and delegate appropriately.
Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities, customer demands, and business needs with a flexible and positive attitude.
Financial Acumen: Solid business sense with the ability to understand and impact key financial metrics like sales, margin, and labor.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Business Administration or Management
Agriculture or Horticulture
Retail Management or Hospitality

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of progressive experience in a retail produce department, with demonstrated expertise in all aspects of department operations.

Preferred:

A minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role within a grocery or retail environment, such as Assistant Produce Manager or Team Lead.