Product Manager (Full-Time, Salary)

Description

Are you passionate about fresh, local, and organic foods? Do you thrive in a leadership role where community, quality, and teamwork come first? Valley Natural Foods is seeking a full-time, salaried Produce Manager to lead our vibrant, community-focused produce department.

At Valley Natural Foods, we believe great food brings people together. As part of our leadership team, you’ll support our mission to nourish a healthy community while helping to create an exceptional shopping experience for our member-owners and guests.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead daily operations of the Produce Department to ensure a fresh, abundant, and visually appealing shopping experience.
• Provide friendly, knowledgeable customer service that reflects co-op values.
• Hire, train, coach, schedule, and support produce staff to maintain high performance and teamwork.
• Oversee ordering, inventory, merchandising, pricing, and product rotation to ensure quality and strong department financials.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment with a commitment to zero workplace injuries.
• Collaborate with store leadership to uphold co-op standards and support community-focused initiatives.

What We’re Looking For:

Mandatory Qualifications:

•  3+ years of produce buying experience and 3+ years of leadership experience (hiring, training, coaching, performance management).
• Strong customer service skills with clear, professional communication.
•  Ability to understand basic financials, including margins, pricing, and inventory.
•  Excellent time management, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Flexible availability, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
•  Reliable, predictable attendance and ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Proficiency with POS systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Demonstrated professionalism, objectivity, and calmness under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a food co-op or natural foods environment.
• Knowledge of organic standards, local agriculture, and sustainable food systems.
• Enthusiasm for building community, supporting staff growth, and advancing belonging and inclusion.

What We Offer:

• Full-time, salaried position with competitive pay
• Generous benefits package, including health, dental, vision, PTO, and 401(k) with employer match.
• 20% employee discount on groceries
• Supportive, values-driven environment centered on community, sustainability, and well-being.  
• Opportunities for growth, training, and leadership development
• A workplace where everyone is welcome and treated with dignity and respect.

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Regular, predictable attendance
• Previous customer service experience with English proficiency
• 3-5+ years previous leadership experience inc.: hiring, training, perf. management/discipline
• High level understanding how to read/understand financial statements relating to margins/pricing
• Demonstrated objectivity, neutrality, and calmness under pressure and timely follow-through to commitments
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Office and POS systems
• Excellent time management, organizational and communication (oral, aural, & written) skills with open availability
• Detail oriented and able to multi-task and remain flexible to the changing needs of the business

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous retail purchasing/merchandising experience (3+ years progressive)
• 5+ years leadership experience
• A.S. or B.S. in Business or related field
• Familiarity with natural foods, grocery industry or cooperatives

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift/push/pull/carry 30-50+ pounds frequently
• Manual dexterity with ability to reach, grasp and utilize hands, wrists, and fingers for extended periods of time
• Close-to-general range visual acuity to evaluate and interact in working environment and focus on and/or read data and words on a computer monitor for extended periods of time
• Ability to sit, stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Regular exposure to working in refrigerated environments
• Ability to climb ladders, kneel, crouch, and bend occasionally required

Reports To: Store Manager

Supervises: All Produce Employees

Department, Status and Salary: Produce, Full Time, Salaried (At-Will)

Valley Natural Foods Cor