Department Manager - Produce

About Us:

The Save Mart Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in California and Nevada. It is home to a number of well-known brands in food retailing. You might have seen our banners that include Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California and Food Maxx. We also have 4 distribution centers and SMART Refrigerated Transport, a trucking firm that transports dry groceries, frozen foods, ice and novelties to all of The Save Mart Companies stores. We are a locally owned business, headquartered in the heart of one of the greatest agricultural areas of our nation - the San Joaquin Valley.

Some of our competitive benefits include: exceptionally generous benefits package (Health, Dental, Vision, Life, 401K), flexible schedule options, Employee Connection (earn fun and valuable prizes!), Life Long Learning – Educational opportunities, Employee Association (discounted and free tuition options, contests, and support services).

We are currently recruiting for the position of:

The Produce Department Manager ensures that our customers’ needs are met and exceeded through effective day-to-day management of the operations and merchandising functions for the assigned department. This position oversees department product and conditions to include, preparation and display areas, back room, equipment, schematics, and inventory.
The Produce Department Manager provides leadership and direction to Department associates to promote a culture reflective of The Save Mart Companies mission statement and winning behaviors. The Manager trains and develops employees to enable their success and ability to advance in their careers. This position manages department performance and productivity to optimize department performance.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Provides customers with a remarkable shopping experience by demonstrating, training, and holding store associates accountable for excellent customer service
• Achieves department financials (sales, profit and loss, projections, metrics, and analysis) by identifying, defining, and implementing best department practices and optimization strategies utilizing innovative solutions
• Directly leads department staff with focus on accountability and achieving high level of business performance for department
• Develops department staff (annual appraisal discussion, supervision reports, annual goals/performance review, quarterly progress review, employee surveys, etc.)
• Implements department’s visual merchandising and plan providing innovative solutions, emphasizing “fresh Effectively utilizes resources to improve productivity, flexibility and efficiencies of labor, and quality of shopping experience
• Oversees schematic implementation, stocking standards, item to tag integrity, back room organization
• Manages product rotation, spoils, shrink, and markdowns
• Ensures department’s overall cleanliness/conditions
• Manages sign and price integrity
• Manages department to ensure produce products are prepared according to company guidelines
• Trains department staff on department procedures, hands-on safety and food safety
• Orders product (utilizes order/inventory system, pre-orders, promotion/seasonal planning)
• Analyzes and manages to product performance to maximize sales and profitability
• Manages the accuracy of department inventory
• Ensures produce/floral products are prepared for display according to company policy
• Contributes to overall store conditions (to include store safety, food safety, sanitation, hazardous waste, protection of company assets, etc.) ensuring a safe working and shopping experience
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, leadership/team building and training skills

• Excellent customer service skills and suggestive selling ability

• Strong organization, administration (to include department financial ) and math skills

• Knowledge of:

o Department operations and financials
o Produce and floral products
o Special produce needs that arise for seasons/holidays
o Trends in cooking and recipes that effect demand
o Department food safety and hazardous materials rules/regulations
o Visual merchandising techniques
o Use and care of professional produce tools and equipment
o Applicable union contractual agreement language

Education: One year of college (or vocational school or equivalent knowledge gained through formal education, specialized training, or additional job experience)

Experience: Two years Produce Department experience – or - in current Center Store, Meat, or Bakery Department Manager role

Other: Available to work a variety of required retail hours

Physical: Store environment: ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, use stairs, reach, pull and lift objects; requires lifting up to 40 lbs.

Competencies:

• Customer Focus

• Leading People

• Management Skills

• Personal/Interpersonal Skills

The Save Mart Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we welcome resumes from individuals who will contribute to our diverse workforce.