Produce Assistant

*Saturday & Sunday Availability Required*

Join the team at Eastside Food Co-op- in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis!
We're looking for team members who are visionary, hard-working and committed to community building!

JOB SUMMARY: The Produce Assistant connects the fruits and vegetables we sell to the customers we serve by creating inviting retail displays, providing excellent customer service, and presenting competent product knowledge. The Produce Assistant ensures that only the highest quality produce reaches our customers by practicing proper receiving, product handling, and rotation techniques and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Service

• Provide prompt, courteous, knowledgeable customer service.
• Offer samples, suggestions for purchase, and nutrition information to customers.
• Assist customers in accessing data related to products including, but not limited to, preparation and availability.
• Direct customer suggestions, comments, and complaints to the appropriate staff member.
• Assist customers with placing special orders from the produce department.
• Assist customers with finding items in the store.
• Maintain knowledge of storewide initiatives and the benefits of ownership. Assist customers with becoming an owner when applicable.
• Wear approved attire and nametag while on duty.
• Effectively respond to departmental phone calls and develop a thorough understanding of Eastside's phone system.

Department Maintenance

• Follow cleaning protocol to ensure that department areas are maintained in a clean and orderly condition that meets Health Department and customer service standards.
• Prepare produce according to outlined protocol.
• Receive deliveries ensuring accuracy and quality of items purchased.
• Dispose of products that don't meet department standards in an appropriate manner.
• Ensure product quality and designation integrity.
• Practice proper back stock product management and rotation.

Merchandising

• Stock, handle, and merchandise produce according to established procedures.
• Maintain attractive, fully stocked, rotated and faced displays.
• Ensure accurate, up-to-date, legible retail signage.

Other Responsibilities

• Adhere to the safety policies of the department and store, including the proper use of equipment.
• Follow work schedule as posted with regular, predictable attendance.
• Attend all required department and store-wide meetings and training sessions.
• Work cooperatively with co-workers throughout the store.
• Adhere to store and department policies.
• Maintain knowledge of management and staff structure.
• Use log book and white board appropriately to facilitate communication.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by produce or other managers.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Basic verbal communication skills
• Basic written communication skills
• Basic reading skills
• Organizational skills
• Math aptitude
• Problem solving skills
• Reasoning ability
• Attention to detail
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple demands
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent reaching, bending, twisting, and rotating
• Prolonged standing and walking
• Ability to lift and move 60 pounds frequently during a shift
• Corrected vision to enable reading of small print
• Ability to work near moving mechanical parts
• Ability to occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions
• Occasional contact with mold, allergens, and generally gross stuff.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE:

• Staff discount
• Paid Time Off
• 401K Plan
• FSA, HSA
• Health(30+ hours/week)Vision/Dental(20+ hours/week)