Fruit & Veg Department Manager

About the role

The Fruit & Veg Department Manager is responsible for driving turnover, minimizing shortages, and ensuring that all standards, processes and policies are consistently applied within the produce area. This role combines merchandising, food safety, customer service and staff leadership in a fast‑paced retail environment.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct regular quality checks and ensure merchandise complies with SOPs and recipe specifications.
• Maintain product availability, proper wrapping, packing and stock rotation according to sell‑by dates.
• Monitor and execute promotional activities and keep the department ready for store opening.
• Uphold hygiene, housekeeping and food safety standards, manage non‑conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Respond to customer queries, manage out‑of‑stock situations and ensure equipment is operational.
• Communicate targets, delegate tasks, coach staff and handle performance and compliance issues.
• Maintain equipment, oversee waste reduction, and track turnover to identify growth opportunities.
• Ensure all Shelf Edge Labels (SEL) are current and legible for customers.
• Attend regional meetings and relay information to the team.
• Schedule staff using Kronos and ensure accurate time‑keeping.

Required profile

• Grade 12 with at least 4 years of produce experience.
• 1–2 years of department leadership experience, including sales staff supervision.
• Proven management experience covering coaching, training, and handling performance issues.
• Strong commercial awareness, results orientation and leadership capability.
• Excellent organisational, stock‑management and attention‑to‑detail skills.
• Customer‑focused mindset and ability to thrive in a fast‑paced retail setting.

Required skills

• Kronos scheduling system