Manager - Produce

Are you an experienced produce professional with a passion for fresh fruits and vegetables, exceptional merchandising, and leading high-performing teams?

Our Produce Department is known for its vibrant displays, exceptional freshness, and premium quality. As Produce Department Manager, you'll lead every aspect of the department—from maintaining the highest standards for fresh fruits and vegetables to developing your team, driving sales, and creating an outstanding shopping experience.

Growth & Learning at Joseph’s

At Joseph’s Classic Market, we believe in growing leaders from within. As a Produce Department Manager, you’ll continue building leadership and operational skills while learning the ins and outs of produce sourcing, merchandising, and shrink control. We value managers who are eager to grow, mentor their teams, and advance within our organization. Many of our senior leaders began in department-level roles, and we support managers who are motivated to grow, coach others, and advance their careers.

Key Responsibilities

• Department Operations
  • Oversee the daily operations of the produce department, including prep, display, and storage
  • Implement and maintain opening, mid-day, and closing procedures
  • Ensure all displays are full, clean, rotated, and well-merchandised
  • Lead seasonal reset planning and execution
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of coolers, prep area, and sales floor
• Product Quality & Freshness
  • Inspect incoming deliveries for quality, freshness, and proper temperature
  • Rotate stock using FIFO and track spoilage
  • Remove aging or damaged produce to maintain visual appeal and reduce shrink
  • Ensure organic and conventional products are properly separated and labeled
• Food Safety & Sanitation
  • Enforce food safety procedures and safe produce handling standards
  • Maintain proper storage temperatures and accurate cooler logs
  • Ensure proper labeling and signage, including allergens and organic certifications
  • Comply with all health and safety regulations and maintain audit readiness
• Merchandising & Promotions
  • Execute company and seasonal merchandising plans, weekly ads, and promotional displays
  • Create impactful displays to highlight local, organic, and specialty items
  • Coordinate with Marketing or Store Manager on demos and sales events
  • Maintain all department signage (pricing, PLU codes, organic certification, etc.)
• Inventory Management
  • Order produce from approved vendors to maintain optimal stock levels
  • Monitor shrink and implement controls to reduce loss
  • Track department inventory, write-offs, and waste logs
  • Receive deliveries, verify accuracy, and properly stock product
• Customer Service
  • Lead by example in providing knowledgeable, friendly, and proactive service
  • Train staff to assist guests with questions about product selection, ripeness, and prep
  • Handle customer concerns and special requests professionally
  • Maintain a welcoming, helpful department experience
• Team Leadership
  • Hire, train, schedule, and supervise produce associates
  • Provide coaching, support, and performance evaluations
  • Monitor department attendance and ensure associates adhere to scheduled shifts and company timekeeping policies, addressing any attendance or punctuality concerns promptly and consistently
  • Follow up on performance or attendance issues with proper documentation and corrective action when necessary, including disciplinary action forms, notes to file, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to support accountability and improvement within the department
  • Conduct daily pre-shift meetings to align team on prep goals and quality standards
  • Foster a safe, clean, team-oriented culture
  • Delegate tasks effectively to maximize productivity
• Reporting & Communication
  • Submit weekly department metrics (sales, labor, shrink) to Store Manager
  • Communicate vendor issues, customer feedback, and department needs
  • Participate in leadership meetings and seasonal planning

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience in fresh produce retail or grocery environments
• Extensive knowledge of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, organic produce, seasonal products, rotation, quality standards, and shrink management required
• Leadership and team development experience
• ServSafe or food safety certification or willingness to obtain
• Strong communication, organization, and customer service skills
• Flexible availability including weekends, holidays, and evenings

Physical & Work Environment

This role is performed in both the sales floor and produce backroom areas and requires frequent standing, walking, and lifting throughout the shift. The Produce Department Manager must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in cold storage and refrigerated environments for extended periods. Work conditions may include wet floors and outdoor produce deliveries. Managers will be exposed to fresh fruits, vegetables, allergens, and approved cleaning chemicals as part of daily operations. Flexible availability is required, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays, to support department needs.

Why Join Joseph's Classic Market?

Joseph's Classic Market is proud to offer the highest quality produce with unmatched freshness and presentation. As Produce Department Manager, you'll play a vital role in upholding our standards of excellence, creating vibrant displays, and supporting a passionate team that puts guests first every day.

Benefits Include:

• Positive Work Environment
• Competitive Pay
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off & Personal Days
• 20% Employee Discount

We’d love to tell you more.

If you have questions about the role, growth opportunities, or what it’s like to work in our Produce department, we encourage you to reach out. We’re always happy to share more about how you can learn, grow, and thrive at Joseph’s Classic Market.

As part of our hiring process, we ask all candidates to complete a brief Predictive Index (PI) assessment. This helps us understand your strengths and how you may thrive within our team.

You can complete the assessment here:

Interview Process
At Joseph’s Classic Market, we utilize VidCruiter as part of our interview process. This platform allows candidates to complete video interviews at their convenience, giving our hiring team the opportunity to better understand your experience and qualifications early in the process.

Employment Eligibility
Joseph’s Classic Market participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization for all new employees. As part of the hiring process, employment eligibility will be verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.