Produce department Associate

The Produce Department Associate is responsible for the daily operations of the Produce department at Tokyo Central. This position plays an important role in providing customers with fresh-quality products, excellent customer service, and an excellent Japanese grocery store shopping experience.

The successful candidate will assist with daily preparation and stocking, follow established procedures, maintain food safety and sanitation standards, and ensure that shelves are fully stocked and displays are attractive to customers.

The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a refrigerated, wet, and fast-paced environment. The associate will assist with produce preparation and cleaning, product display, inventory management, department cleanliness, and food safety procedures while maintaining the quality and freshness standards set by the company.

Essential Job Responsibilities
1. Produce Handling, Preparation, Display and Inventory Control

• Stock, replenish, and rotate fresh fruits and vegetables using FIFO (First In, First Out) procedures.
• Inspect produce for freshness, quality, and damage; remove products that do not meet company standards.
• Maintain attractive, clean, and organized produce displays.
• Assist with receiving, unloading, and storing incoming produce deliveries.
• Prepare, trim, package, and label produce items as required.
• Monitor product dates, inventory levels, and shrink to minimize waste.
• Assist with inventory counts, stock checks, and discrepancy reporting.
• Maintain department cleanliness, including tables, shelving, coolers, floors, and backroom storage areas.
• Follow proper food safety, sanitation, and temperature-control procedures.
• Provide friendly and helpful customer service by answering questions and assisting customers with product selection.
• Communicate low inventory, damaged merchandise, and operational concerns to department leadership.
• Support seasonal promotions, produce specials, and Japanese food-related merchandising activities.
• Follow all company policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Produce Department Lead.
  
  

2. Customer Service

• Greet customers and provide courteous, helpful, and professional service.
• Answer questions about Produce, product availability, freshness, storage, and preparation methods within the associate's knowledge and training.
• Assist customers with product selection, weighing, packaging, and special requests.
• Communicate product information accurately, including origin, handling instructions, and available preparation options.
• Refer questions requiring specialized knowledge or authorization to the Department Lead.
• Help create a welcoming shopping environment that reflects the store's commitment to quality, service, and Japanese grocery traditions.
  
  

3. Food Safety, Sanitation, and Workplace Safety

• Follow all applicable local health regulations and the store’s food safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene policies.
• Wash hands properly and use gloves, utensils, and protective equipment as required.
• Maintain clean and sanitary workstations, cutting surfaces, utensils, display cases, and equipment.
• Wash hands properly and use required gloves, protective equipment, and sanitation supplies.
• Follow proper procedures for product waste disposal, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation schedules.
• Report food safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, spills, and unsafe conditions immediately.

4. Teamwork and Daily Operations

• Assist with receiving, inspecting, sorting, weighing, labeling, organizing, and storing incoming merchandise and deliveries.
• Work and communicate collaboratively with other store associates, department staff, and management.
• Complete assigned preparation, stocking, cleaning, and merchandising tasks within established timeframes.
• Follow instructions, store policies, and daily operational priorities.
• Communicate product shortages, customer concerns, and operational issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Assist with other reasonable store duties as assigned.

REQUIRED Qualifications

• Positive, team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently.
• Dependability, punctuality, flexibility with assigned tasks and willingness to follow established procedures.
• Able to read, write, and do simple math problems. Ability to learn store and department policies and operational procedures.
• Must be 18 years or older to use sharp knives, use ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes above 6 feet in height, and to operate or assist in operating power-driven machinery or equipment.
• Basic understanding of safe food handling and kitchen sanitation, or willingness to learn through training.
• Ability to work efficiently in a refrigerated cold and physically active environment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, including food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers and be able to interpret, understand, and follow instructions.
• Willingness to learn produce identification, product handling, merchandising, and department operations.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail when weighing, labeling, packaging, and rotating products.
• Ability to perform repetitive food preparation and packaging tasks while maintaining consistent standards.
• Ability to maintain an organized and clean work area.
• Possesses a California food handler certification, or the ability to acquire one (course is provided by employer upon hire).
  
  

PREFERRED Qualifications

• Previous grocery, retail, or produce experience.
• Basic understanding of fresh produce quality and handling.

 

Physical Requirements
The Produce Department Associate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

• Stand and walk for extended periods during scheduled shifts.
• Ability to lift and carry merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds
• Lift and carry merchandise, supplies, and Produce containers within established workplace safety limits.
• Bend, reach, kneel and perform repetitive tasks as needed for stocking, production, packaging, and cleaning.
• Work in cold refrigerated areas around ice, water, and wet floors.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks involving food preparation, packaging, cleaning, and stocking.
• Safely use department tools and equipment after receiving appropriate training and authorization.
• Follow safe lifting procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Work scheduled weekends, holidays, early mornings, or other shifts as required by department operations.
  
  

Key Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position will be evaluated based on the following:

1. Product Quality and Freshness: Maintains produce freshness, proper storage conditions, and accurate inventory rotation.
2. Customer Service: Provides courteous, responsive service and handles customer requests professionally.
3. Food Safety and Sanitation: Consistently follows temperature control, hygiene, cleaning, and food handling procedures.
4. Department Presentation: Keeps displays stocked, organized, properly labeled, and visually appealing.
5. Teamwork and Reliability: Arrives on time, communicates effectively, supports coworkers, and completes assigned tasks.
6. Operational Efficiency: Helps reduce product waste, maintain accurate product information, and complete daily assignments on schedule.

 

Training and Development

The selected associate will receive training on store policies, produce product identification, safe handling procedures, sanitation practices, merchandising standards, and department equipment. Additional training may be provided in customer product recommendations, inventory control, and Seasonal specialties based on experience and business needs.

Employees who demonstrate strong performance, reliability, and leadership potential may have opportunities to develop additional Produce department skills or pursue advancement within the company.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A supportive and team-oriented work environment.
• Opportunities to learn about Japanese food products and specialty groceries.
• On-the-job training and development.
• Opportunities for additional responsibilities and advancement based on performance and business needs.
• 10-20% off Employee Discount at all Tokyo Central locations for you and your family
• Tokyo Central store gift certificates – for qualified employees
• Health Care Benefits – Including medical, dental, vision, life and 401k (after 1 year) with employer contributions – for qualified employees

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Marukai Tokyo Central is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without unlawful discrimination. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, business needs, and applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable requirements.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify

Join Our Team!

Become part of a team dedicated to keeping our shelves stocked, our products fresh, and our customers happy. If you are reliable, hardworking, and ready to contribute to a positive grocery shopping experience, we encourage you to apply.

Qualified applicants may be contacted for an interview to discuss availability, relevant experience, and interest in the position.

This is a Temporary Seasonal position lasting 3 months. There may be opportunity to convert to a regular Part Time position at the end of the term, dependent on business needs and open positions at the time.

Required degree: NONE