Overview:
The Assistant Manager supports the General Manager in overseeing daily operations of the produce department. This role ensures high standards of product quality, food safety, customer service, and team performance while helping achieve sales and profitability goals.
Responsibilities:
Operations & Merchandising
- Assist in managing daily produce department operations, including opening and closing procedures
- Ensure proper product rotation, freshness, and quality control (FIFO)
- Maintain attractive product displays and seasonal merchandising plans
- Monitor inventory levels and assist with ordering to minimize shrink and waste
- Ensure accurate pricing, labeling, and signage
Team Leadership & Training
- Support hiring, training, and scheduling of store team members
- Supervise staff during shifts and provide coaching, direction, and feedback
- Help enforce company policies, safety standards, and productivity expectations
- Step in as department lead in the manager’s absence
Customer Service
- Deliver excellent customer service and resolve customer concerns promptly
- Educate customers on produce selection, storage, and preparation
- Promote a clean, friendly, and well-organized department environment
Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, local health codes)
- Follow and enforce sanitation, temperature control, and handling procedures
- Participate in food safety audits and inspections
Sales & Performance
- Assist in achieving sales, margin, and shrink targets
- Analyze sales trends and assist with promotional planning
- Support execution of weekly ads and in-store promotions
Requirements
- Ability to motivate, inspire, and delegate tasks to staff effectively
- Excellent verbal and written communication to interact with customers and staff clearly
- Ability to identify issues, analyze situations, and make timely decisions to resolve problems
- Passion for providing outstanding customer service and building positive customer relationships
- Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and maintain efficient workflow
- Flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Physical Abilities
- Requires physical activity including lifting, bending, and standing
- Regularly stand and walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to climb, stoop, kneel, reach, push, pull, grasp, and perform repetitive motions.
- Lift, push and pull moderate to heavy objects up to 50 lbs.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree (college coursework in business or agriculture preferred)
- 1–3 years of experience in produce, grocery retail, or food service in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
- Previous supervisory or leadership experience preferred
- Strong knowledge of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Experience working in a food retail environment, preferably in a managerial position
- Working knowledge of business development best practices
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Understanding of retail operations, sales strategies, and industry trends
- Best practice of visual merchandising
- Basic understanding of budgeting, financial reporting, and profit analysis.
Technology Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, Power Point,)
Work Environment
- Fast-paced retail environment
- Exposure to cold storage areas
- Ability to travel occasionally
- Onsite 5 days per week at Manhattan, NY locations.
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