Produce Department Lead

Job Summary:

The Produce Department Lead is responsible for the daily execution, ordering, merchandising, inventory and quality control of the fresh produce department at Horizon Market. In this role, you focus on maintaining a vibrant, high-quality  Fresh First  program—managing highly perishable inventory, ensuring seasonal displays are visually stunning, and providing expert product knowledge to our customers. The Produce Lead is the  owner  of the floor, ensuring every fruit and vegetable on display is ripe, crisp, and presented with the highest standards of cleanliness.

Essential Functions
1. Inventory & Stock Management Receiving & Verification:
Oversee the ordering, delivery and inventory of all fresh produce; verify piece counts and weights against invoices and inspect for quality, ripeness, and potential bruising or spoilage.

Culling & Quality Control:
Perform  crisp and cull  routines multiple times daily—remove distressed items and trimming products to maintain a  just-picked  appearance.

Stocking & Rotation:
Ensure all displays are fully stocked and strictly follow FIFO (First-In, First-Out) rotation to minimize shrink and maximize shelf life.
2. Merchandising & Presentation Visual Displays:
Maintain clean, organized, and color-balanced displays. Utilize seasonal transitions to highlight peak-flavor items (e.g., Maryland-grown corn or summer stone fruits).Signage:
Ensure all items have accurate pricing, clear country of origin labeling (local vs. imported), and appropriate organic/conventional distinction.

Prep & Value-Add:
Manage the preparation of any  cut-in-store  items (like fruit bowls or veggie trays) ensuring strict adherence to food safety and presentation guidelines.
3. Department Standards & Safety Sanitation:
Maintain the cleanliness of produce bins, misting systems, and walk-in coolers. Ensure the  wet rack  is properly drained and free of debris.

Environmental Control:
Monitor and adjust humidity and temperature settings in display cases to prolong the life of sensitive greens and berries.

Safety Compliance:
Adhere to all Maryland Health Department regulations for handling raw, unprocessed foods.
4. Customer Engagement Act as the department expert, assisting customers with questions about ripeness, storage tips, and flavor profiles.

Monitor customer feedback regarding variety and report trends or requests for specific seasonal or ethnic produce to the Store Manager.

Competencies Oral/Written Communication Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data to make decisions and overcome problems. Proactively alerting the Store Manager to quality issues with suppliers or potential  markdown  opportunities to move product before it expires.

Teamwork/Collaboration Work within a team structure and can negotiate and manage conflict. Exhibit a positive workplace attitude that encourages advancement towards common goals.

Digital Technology Demonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly, and ability to learn from mistakes.

Merchandising Displays must look abundant and clean at the start of every shift and before peak evening hours. Zero tolerance for wilted, bruised, or decaying products on the sales floor.

Product Knowledge Strong understanding of seasonal cycles, ripeness indicators, and proper storage for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Reliability Punctuality is a must—our customers rely on us being open and ready.

Education and experience

Qualifications

Age Requirement:
Must be 18 or older (required for tobacco/lottery sales in this jurisdiction).

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift to 50 lbs (cases of potatoes/melons) and work in a fast-paced, occasionally cold environment where you are on your feet for most of the shift.

Experience:

1–2 years of experience in a grocery or retail environment, specifically within a produce or perishable department.

Certifications:

Ability to obtain a Maryland Food Handler’s card or equivalent local certification if required.

Career Path Shift Manager Assistant Manager Store Manager