Produce Department Manager

We work hard to create a fair, fun and considerate workplace with excellent pay and benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, matching 401(K), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees who work 30 or more hours per week.

Other employee benefits include a 20% employee discount, paid 30-minute lunch, free Co‑op ownership, 30% discount on Wellness supplements, a quarterly profit share, a monthly $50 raffle for those who choose alternative transportation (carpool, walk or bike to work) and holiday gifts.

As a team member, you’ll learn a lot – about the great products we carry, the community organizations we support and you’ll meet wonderful people along the way. Briar Patch has an open door to leadership and it’s not uncommon for employees to “climb the ladder” and grow a career at the Co‑op.

Position: Produce Department Manager

Location: Auburn, CA

Job :255-100

# of Openings:1

Department: Produce

Reports To: Store Operations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Level: $33.00 to $46.00 / hr.

Summary: Responsible to select, price and merchandise products to meet objectives for sales, margin, inventory turns and customer service.

Include the following:
Other duties may be assigned.

• Negotiate with suppliers for favorable prices, terms, quality and delivery;
• Coordinate sale specials, demos, and utilize available advertising (co‑op ads);
• Evaluate suppliers and investigate new sources of supply;
• Receive orders, or ensure proper receiving by other staff in accordance with established procedures. Keep accurate receiving records;
• Coordinate returns and credit from suppliers where applicable. Keep accurate accounting of credit requests;
• Review invoices for accuracy, break into account codes, and pass on to the Finance department.
• Ensure displays and shelves are fully stocked and rotated. Set stocking priorities for clerks assisting in Perishable department. Stock items as needed;
• Conduct periodic comparisons with competitors;
• Set prices to meet margin goals as set by Management team. Mark down items as needed to reduce losses;
• Ensure accurate, up-to-date price labeling of department items;
• Solicit suppliers for promotional offerings in coordination with Ad/Core plans;
• Provide product information to newsletter, customers and staff;
• Make decisions regarding product mix based on product movement reports.

• Coordinate storage of items to be returned to suppliers. See that unsalable items are properly disposed of. Keep accurate shrinkage records;
• Ensure that department shelves, displays, aisles and storage areas are in clean, orderly condition, meeting health department standards;
• Participate in inventory counts ensuring inventorying of department is accurate;
• Maintain department equipment in working order. Advise Operations Manager of equipment repair, replacement needs, and desired equipment purchases.

• Attend Ad/Core meetings to develop marketing plan, plan promotions and ad campaigns, revise store layout, set store policies and procedures, etc.
• Participate in setting buyer goals (margins and sales), add or drop product lines;
• Participate in the compilatio of the annual Capital Expenditures Budget;
• Review daily and monthly sales reports; look for trends, problem areas, and possible actions to be taken;
• Train, schedule and supervise member workers in department;
• Act as an integral part of our participatory management system;
• Maintain professional standards; i.e., punctuality, neatness, pleasant helpful manner;
• Act as Shift Leader;
• Attend industry trade shows as appropriate;
• Keep up on industry trends, news and legislation.

• Maintain good working relations with department and other department staff;
• Follow store wide policies and procedures;
• Encourage team dynamics.

• Know proper procedures for handling shoplifting and robbery;
• Know how to avoid injury;
• Know what to do in the event of injury or an emergency.
• Co‑op Knowledge –
• Know what makes a co‑op different;
• Know the difference between members and member workers and how the member worker program…