Company description Urban Radish is a unique food market and eatery in the east side of Downtown Los Angeles in the Arts District. In addition to being a premium quality, full-range natural grocery store, we run a busy, high volume prepared foods, deli and restaurant operation. We are looking for candidates who have a passion for high quality, delicious food, and can thrive in a fast paced, high pressure environment and bring experience in many diverse aspects of food preparation. All candidates must have an exceptional personality, team spirit, professionalism and a hospitality driven attitude. Job description

Responsibilities:

The primary responsibility of the Produce Associate is to support the foraging, purchasing, stocking, rotation, and presentation of Urban Radish’s Fruits, and Vegetables. The Produce Associate is responsible for answering questions from customers about produce and help increase sales by handing out food samples and by recommending additional items to customers.  He/She will be Urban Radish’s resident produce guru and must have expertise related to:

1) The origin of the produce we carry, including the ‘stories’ behind the farmers we feature

2) Farming practices, including conventional, organic, sustainable and bio-dynamic agriculture

3) Seasonality, and merchandising techniques which promote the seasonal variability of produce

4) Storage, both in-store and recommended techniques for customers at-home handing and storage of fruits and vegetables

5) Preparation, including suggestions for recipes and food pairings that take advantage of the season’s pick of the crop

Why all this expertise?

Simply put… because it’s core to our DNA. It is Urban Radish’s mission to cultivate community and inspire through food. Our goal is to enrich the urban lifestyle with the finest foods and ingredients, and bring people closer to the foods they consume through education and active customer engagement. If a customer looks inquisitive as to what flavor a peach or melon might unfold, it is our expectation that an Urban Radish employee would have the keen sensing skills to detect the moment and be proactive in offering to cut one open for a sample tasting. It is the Produce Associate’s responsibility to help set the standard for our culture, our expertise and exemplary customer service. 

Day-to-Day Duties:

1. Support our Farm-Direct purchasing program at local farmers markets:

• Stay in constant search of the finest quality, most delicious produce available at the markets
• Order and picking up produce from select local farmers
• Evaluate and build relationships with local farmers
• Negotiate with farmers for favorable pricing

2. Pricing

• Monitor produce pricing almost daily to achieve margin goals while maintaining competitive price position
• Ensure consistent pricing between shelf tags and POS system
• Work with other produce team members on promotional programs to feature special fruits and vegetables, as well as daily programs, as needed, intended to move aging inventory to reduce loss
• Visit other stores for price comps, product and merchandising ideas

3. Inventory Management

• Adhere to the department’s stock management processes 
• Prioritize stocking activities to ensure coolers are always full and rotated for freshness
• Work with deli and kitchen operations to integrate ‘day-old produce’ into menu planning to reduce loss

4. Merchandising

• Plan attractive and creative produce displays
• Trim, wash, bundle produce as needed 
• Ensure displays are replenished, rotated and culled throughout the day

Job Requirements

Interpersonal:

• Listen and communicate well with the entire Urban Radish community: staff, managers, customers, suppliers, janitors, the valet, the local dog walkers…we mean EVERYONE
• Stay team oriented
• Work well under pressure and maintain a positive and productive energy
• Show professionalism and poise at all times
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency through your work and commitment to providing LA’s finest food products with ‘Wow!’ customer service

Administrative:

• Able to work weekends, weekdays, nights and mornings
• Adhere to all policies, rules and regulations – no shortcuts!

Experience and Education: 

• 2-years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency in math 
• Basic computer proficiency 

Physical Requirements:

• Physical abilities require continuous standing, walking, bending, reaching, sitting and carrying loads between 15-70 lbs.; occasional climbing, stooping, twisting and fine manipulation; occasional environmental exposure to cold, heat and water; and rare exposure to dust and fumes
• Use of machinery including, but not limited to; dollies, cash registers, computers, printers and other office equipment

Compensation this position is : hourly Application instructions Deadlineno deadline