Produce Operations Manager

PRODUCE OPERATIONS MANAGER

Position Overview

The Produce Operations Manager will be responsible for providing operational leadership and support for all Produce Departments across the organization. Supporting all store locations, this role will ensure consistent execution of company standards, produce quality expectations, food safety requirements, merchandising programs, labour expectations, training initiatives, and customer experience standards.

This position will be part of the Operations Department and report to the Director of Retail Operations. The role will work closely with the Produce Category Manager to ensure category strategies and programs are effectively executed at store level while maintaining clear separation between merchandising and operational responsibilities.

The position will require regular travel throughout British Columbia to support stores, conduct audits, provide coaching, lead training initiatives, support new store openings, and ensure consistent execution of operational standards. Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence

• Support and coach Produce Department Managers and store teams across all locations.
• Ensure consistent execution of the Produce program across all stores.
• Conduct regular store visits, department audits, and operational assessments.
• Establish and maintain department standards for execution, cleanliness, organization, freshness, and customer service.
• Identify operational opportunities and implement best practices across the network.
• Support new store openings, renovations, conversions, and major operational projects.

Produce Quality & Freshness Management

• Establish and maintain company standards for produce freshness and quality.
• Ensure stores consistently meet expectations for rotation, culling, product handling, display maintenance, and presentation.
• Monitor department conditions and provide coaching and corrective action when required.
• Develop processes that minimize spoilage while maintaining exceptional product quality and customer presentation.
• Ensure consistent produce quality and customer experience across all locations.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, company policies, sanitation standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct food safety reviews and operational audits.
• Follow up on corrective action plans and compliance concerns.
• Support product recall execution and quality investigations.
• Ensure proper operating procedures are maintained for handling, storage, cooling, and product preparation activities.

Labour Planning & Productivity

• Support labour planning and workforce optimization across all Produce Departments. This role is not responsible for scheduling, so not sure if this could be clarified better. If store has SPLH issues in produce, they can support in problem solving. Labor planning is the responsibility of the store.
• Monitor productivity standards and labour performance. Performance management isn’t the responsibility of this role. This role will have to advise managers of deficiencies and what they’ve done to support/coach TM’s, so the manager or ASM/SM can reinforce expectations and performance manage. We need accountability at store level daily that TM’s are hitting the mark. This role won’t be in each store all the time. They will need to spread themselves over 20ish stores.
• Assist stores in identifying staffing requirements and operational efficiencies.
• Promote productivity improvements while maintaining service, freshness, and presentation standards.

Inventory Management, Shrink & Profitability

• Support inventory management best practices, ordering discipline, rotation standards, markdown execution, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Monitor key department performance metrics and support action plans to improve results.
• Drive initiatives that reduce shrink, spoilage, waste, and operational inefficiencies.
• Support stores in achieving labour, margin, and shrink targets through operational excellence.
• Benchmark performance across locations and share best practices.

Merchandising & Program Execution

• Ensure effective execution of promotional programs, seasonal displays, category initiatives, and merchandising standards.
• Support implementation of planograms and merchandising strategies developed by the Produce Category Manager.
• Monitor compliance with merchandising standards and presentation expectations.
• Ensure stores deliver attractive, abundant, and customer-focused produce displays.
• Provide coaching on building impactful, cross merchandising displays that highlight seasonality, local, look abundant and fresh
• Support execution of flyers, promotions, and seasonal programs at store level.

Training & Leadership Development

• Develop and maintain training standards for Produce Departments.
• Coach and mentor Produce Department Managers and emerging leaders.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives. Just wanting to emphasize they should be there to support the Produce Manager doing these things as needed, not doing these things themselves.
• Identify talent development opportunities and create growth plans for high-potential team members. “work with Produce Managers to Identify …..”
• Ensure consistency in department training programs across the organization. This is a shared responsibility between Produce Manager and Ops. Ops isn’t in the store every day. They can set the standard/expectation with the PM and spot holes when they visit.

SOP Development & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, implement, and maintain Produce Department SOPs, operational standards, and playbook content.
• Standardize department routines, procedures, and best practices across all locations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on freshness, quality, efficiency, consistency, and execution.
• Facilitate sharing of best practices throughout the organization.

Equipment & Capital Planning

• Provide operational input on department layouts, store design, refrigeration systems, display fixtures, prep areas, and equipment requirements.
• Support capital planning related to Produce Department infrastructure and equipment.
• Work with Facilities and Operations teams to identify equipment replacement and maintenance priorities.

Department Performance Reviews

• Conduct regular business reviews with Store Managers and Produce Department Managers with support from the Produce Category Manager.
• Analyze performance trends and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop action plans and monitor progress against department goals.
• Share successful practices and operational improvements across the network.

PERKS:

• Competitive wage $75,000.00 - 90,000.00 /year 
  • Starting wage within this band, based on evaluation of skills & experience
• Comprehensive benefit package (dental, vision, naturopathic practices, RRSP program + more)
• Store Discount
• Education allowance

This role will be headquartered out of our Surrey, BC head office with approximately one day in office and 4 days in stores.  Travel across BC including: Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Okanagan.

Put your passion into work that matters with a growing, BC-based company, committed to be a better company for our customers, our employees, and the planet. We'll surround you with a great team and a supportive learning environment where you can grow and thrive.

Nature's Fare Markets and Choices Market is an equal opportunity employer and as such we thrive to foster a workplace where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and respected.

Apply online today!