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Prepared Foods Associate Team Leader (Culinary & Deli Assistant Department Manager)

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
Part-time
Hourly
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Compensation

Hourly
Range $15.00 - $17.75
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Work Schedule

Flexible
Weekend Shifts
Night Shifts
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Benefits

Store discount
Paid Time Off
Financial wellness
Health and wellness support programs
Team member perks

Job Description

Whole Foods Market is a renowned and leading grocery store chain dedicated to nourishing people and the planet through providing high-quality natural and organic products. More than just a supermarket, Whole Foods Market is committed to making a meaningful difference within the community and beyond by promoting healthier eating habits, supporting local and national sustainability initiatives, and contributing to social causes such as funding school garden grants and alleviating poverty in developing countries. Founded with a vision to revolutionize the grocery industry, Whole Foods Market sets the standards of excellence in retail by fostering a team-oriented environment where personal growth is equally valued alongside professional responsibilities. The company places a strong emphasis on core values including customer care, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. Employment at Whole Foods Market means being part of a mission-driven organization that is passionate about creating positive change at multiple levels, impacting not only their customers but also suppliers, vendors, and communities worldwide.

This role serves as an integral part of the store's leadership team, assisting the Team Leader with all facets of daily operations, encompassing profitability management, expense control, purchasing, merchandising, labor management, regulatory compliance, and special projects. The position entails developing and maintaining innovative store layouts and product merchandising to optimize sales and customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will work closely with the Team Leader to analyze sales data, monitor labor costs, and meet or exceed performance targets. Additionally, this position requires advanced product knowledge, ongoing vendor relationship development, and a commitment to high standards of retail execution.

The person in this role will also champion team development by selecting, training, mentoring, motivating, and counseling team members to cultivate a high-performing and engaged workforce. Acting as a departmental point person when the Team Leader is unavailable, this position demands strong leadership skills, decision-making ability, and the capacity to prioritize and delegate tasks efficiently. The role also involves maintaining a positive work environment characterized by teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale, while consistently promoting the company’s vision and goals. Providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to both customers and team members is fundamental, along with ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations, including food safety policies.

The wage range for this position is $20.05 to $35.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers comprehensive benefits known as "Whole Benefits," including eligibility for store discounts, paid time off, wellness support programs, and other team member perks. Eligibility for these benefits depends on the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan based on factors such as work location, length of service, and job type. As an equal opportunity employer, Whole Foods Market is committed to fair hiring and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Joining the team means contributing to an organization that not only values your contributions but supports your growth and advancement within the company.

Job Requirements

  • must be able to lift 50 pounds
  • standing/walking 6-8 hours in an 8-hour work day
  • hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling
  • work requires bending, twisting, squatting and reaching
  • exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals
  • exposure to temperatures less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit
  • ability to work in wet and dry conditions
  • ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
  • ability to use tools and equipment including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery
  • may require use of ladders

Job Qualifications

  • 18+ months retail Team Member experience
  • 6+ months of supervisory experience
  • advanced product knowledge
  • excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills
  • proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory
  • advanced knowledge of regulatory and safety policies and procedures
  • demonstrated decision-making ability and leadership skills
  • proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications
  • capable of teaching others in a positive and constructive manner

Job Duties

  • Develops and maintains creative store layout and product merchandising
  • works with Team Leader to achieve sales, purchasing, and labor targets
  • assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports and labor
  • demonstrates advanced product knowledge and develops / maintains awareness of new products
  • maintains good vendor relationships, develops new vendor relations, and ensures all paperwork is properly submitted for vendor processing
  • works with Team Leader to resolve team concerns or issues
  • functions as point person and departmental person in charge in absence of Team Leader
  • sets and achieves the highest standards of retail execution
  • fosters and encourages a positive environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale
  • consistently communicates and models WFM vision and goals
  • maintains awareness of customer flows and needs and directs Team Members as necessary to satisfy and delight customers
  • responds promptly to customer needs and questions
  • selects, trains, develops, mentors, motivates, and counsels Team Members in a manner that sustains a high-performance team and minimizes turnover
  • provides timely, thorough, and thoughtful performance evaluations

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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