Skills & Competencies for Produce Clerk

JOB SUMMARY for Produce Clerk

Responsible for assisting customers in the produce department of a grocery store.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Produce Clerk

Answers questions and helps patrons find requested produce items. Prepares items for display, ensures that display cases are adequately stocked and ensures freshness of produce. Handles produce items in a safe manner and ensures that the department is always clean and neat.

Produce Clerk SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$37,373
TOTAL 50%
$38,614
Job Level
A01
Job Code
SM15000376
Education/Degree
High School Diploma or Technical Certificate
Reports To
Supervisor or Manager

Produce Clerk Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Produce Clerk skill and competencie below to view definitions.

10 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Produce Clerk

1 Industry Competency – FDA Food Code Compliance
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Maintaining adherence to FDA guidelines and regulations to reduce the likelihood of foodborne diseases and promote public health.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains how the FDA codes help establish a fair and standard approach to food safety inspections and audits.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records internal audits and inspections to assist in assessing compliance with food safety regulations.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Helps conduct risk assessments of our facility to determine potential contamination and safety hazards.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages reviews and revision of our policies and procedures to ensure compliance with updated food codes.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Keeps updated on FDA regulations impacting food preparation standards.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Industry Competency – Food Handling and Storage
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Properly handling, storing, and maintaining food products in a safe and hygienic manner to prevent contamination, spoilage, and foodborne illnesses.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains clearly the storage and handling requirements for ingredients, materials, and products.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Completes necessary documentation, such as temperature logs, and reports any instances of non-compliance.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Mitigates potential food safety hazards in storage areas, including chemical contamination and pest infestation.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Develops systematic procedures for monitoring hazard controls to maintain a hygienic environment.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Revises the food safety program and prepares it for external review and approval by the relevant authorities.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Produce Clerk - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Produce Clerk
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Produce Clerk
Proficiency Level - 5

4 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Produce Clerk

1 Job Family Competencies – Customer Engagement
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Building and maintaining meaningful interactions with customers to enhance their overall experience with a product, service, or brand.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the difference between customer engagement and customer interaction.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Greets and assists customers in selecting right products or services based on their preferences.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Determines customer pain points or challenges to create customer-centered solutions and resolve their concerns.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leverages customer service metrics in evaluating and improving engagement strategies and programs.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops strategic plans and promotional activities to build customer awareness and generate sales.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Job Family Competencies – Safety Policies and Procedures
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Establishing and implementing clear safety policies and procedures to effectively manage hazards and risks associated with the business operations.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses the possible work hazards for not complying with safety policies and procedures.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records performed tasks according to the specified safety policies and procedures.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements departmental safety policies and procedures to ensure a hazard-free work environment.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Modifies our existing safety policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements and standards.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and delivers training programs to educate employees on our updated safety policies and procedures.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Produce Clerk - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Produce Clerk
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Produce Clerk
Proficiency Level - 5

8 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Produce Clerk

1 Core Competencies – Products And Services
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Knowledge of the full array of our organization's products and services including those that are created for internal customers; insight into the differentiating factors that distinguish them from those of competitors.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes own business unit's role in the production of our organization's P/S.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Outlines the main advantages of our business's main P/S.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Examines the products and services from the perspective of the customer.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Incorporates quantifiable evidence to prove that the value of the product is credible.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Educates others on the structure and integration of cross-functional products or services.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Core Competencies – Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-A set of written instructions that describes the step-by-step activities to complete tasks in compliance with business standards and industry regulations.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses the considerations and concerns on applying SOP for the first time.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers information on workflows and business controlling points.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains the accuracy of SOPs to provide consistent guidance in our workplace.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leverages the use of SOPs to solve business and operation problems.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Keeps abreast of industry regulation and its effect on our internal SOPs.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Produce Clerk - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Produce Clerk
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Produce Clerk
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Produce Clerk skills and competencies

There are 10 hard skills for Produce Clerk, FDA Food Code Compliance, Food Handling and Storage, Cross Merchandising, etc.
4 general skills for Produce Clerk, Customer Engagement, Safety Policies and Procedures, Promotion, etc.
8 soft skills for Produce Clerk, Products And Services, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Attention to Detail, etc.
While the list totals 22 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Produce Clerk, he or she needs to be proficient in Products And Services, be proficient in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and be proficient in Attention to Detail.

It's Easy to Get Started

Get the precision you need to assess, hire, and develop top talent with skills and competencies – see how with a personalized demo.