Team Trainer Opportunity at Whole Foods Market

Are you passionate about food, people, and creating a positive learning environment? Whole Foods Market is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Team Trainer to join our team and play a vital role in the success of our new team members. As a Team Trainer, you will be instrumental in shaping the initial experiences of our new colleagues, ensuring they are well-equipped to excel in their roles and contribute to our customer-obsessed culture.

This position goes beyond basic onboarding. You will be a champion for high engagement, productivity, and retention, fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere from day one. By delivering quality, team-specific training, you directly impact the effectiveness of our teams and the overall success of our store. You will collaborate closely with Team Leadership, Store Trainers, Team Member Services, and experienced Team Members to create a comprehensive and impactful training program.

Your key responsibility will be to organize and deliver training that covers a wide range of essential topics. This includes operational learning pathways, compliance regulations, occupational safety standards, food safety protocols, in-depth product knowledge, and exceptional customer service techniques. You will be responsible for ensuring the timely and high-quality completion of New Member Connections, a crucial onboarding process designed to integrate new team members into our company culture and operational practices.

As a Team Trainer, you will also serve as a role model, embodying the core values of Whole Foods Market. This includes maintaining a positive and professional image, providing outstanding customer service, and consistently adhering to the highest standards of food safety and sanitation. Your commitment to these principles will set the tone for new team members and contribute to a positive and productive work environment.

Principal Duties of a Whole Foods Market Team Trainer

• Training Program Excellence: You will be at the forefront of delivering and ensuring the successful completion of new and ongoing store and team training programs. Your dedication to quality training will directly contribute to the competence and confidence of our team members.
• Deadline and Goal Oriented: Working within established training deadlines and goals is critical. You will be responsible for managing your time effectively and prioritizing tasks to meet these objectives.
• New Member Onboarding Coordination: Collaborating with Team Leaders and the Store Trainer, you will expertly schedule New Member training sessions within their initial four shifts. This ensures a timely and efficient onboarding process.
• New Member Connection Management: You will be the point person for coordinating with New Members, Team Leadership, and the Store Trainer to guarantee the timely completion of New Member Connections. Regular communication and proactive follow-up are essential to track progress and address any roadblocks.
• Team-Specific Operational Training Facilitation: Your expertise will be utilized to facilitate team-specific operational training. This includes delivering team Operational Learning Pathways and implementing team-specific program rollouts, ensuring all team members are up-to-date on the latest procedures and best practices.
• Team Trainer Meeting Participation: Staying connected and informed is key. You will attend scheduled Team Trainer meetings to share insights, collaborate with peers, and receive updates on training initiatives.
• Food and Occupational Safety Champion: As a role model, you will consistently exemplify and promote food safety and sanitation procedures, as well as occupational safety practices. Your commitment to safety will create a secure and healthy working environment for everyone.
• Customer Service Training and Feedback: You will train all Team Members on our customer service standards, emphasizing a customer-obsessed approach. Furthermore, you will actively seek opportunities to provide timely and constructive feedback to reinforce positive behaviors and support continuous improvement.
• Product Knowledge Training: Keeping our team members informed about our diverse product offerings is crucial. You will train all Team Members on new products, highlighting their unique features, sales strategies, and optimal placement within the department.
• Equipment and PPE Stewardship: Proper care and maintenance of equipment are essential for efficiency and safety. You will consistently practice and model the correct care, use, and maintenance of all team equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Continuous Learning and Development: To ensure your own expertise remains current, you will complete the Team Trainer Operational Learning Pathway, Team Trainer Certification, and any other assigned training programs.
• Handbook and Communication Engagement: Staying informed is vital. You will familiarize yourself with the Store Training Roles Handbook and actively engage with all communication platforms to stay updated on company policies and training initiatives.
• Training Record Management: Accuracy and organization are key in tracking training progress. You will organize, track, report, and maintain precise training records using Whole Foods Market’s learning systems.

General Duties for All Whole Foods Market Positions

• Punctuality and Professionalism: Arriving to your workstation on time, appropriately groomed, and adhering to Whole Foods Market’s Dress Code policy is expected. This includes working all scheduled shifts and attending required trainings and meetings.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service is paramount. You will address customer needs promptly and effectively, model suggestive selling techniques, and answer phones and pages courteously and efficiently.
• Sales Maximization: Contributing to sales success is a shared responsibility. You will maximize sales potential through effective and proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
• Procedure and Compliance Adherence: Following and ensuring compliance with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, Health and Sanitation, and Safe Work Practices, is crucial for maintaining operational integrity and safety.
• Clean and Safe Environment Maintenance: Maintaining a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment is everyone’s responsibility. You will maintain equipment according to Whole Foods Market’s cleanliness and safety standards.
• Operational Duties: Performing opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned, and ensuring the accuracy of signs and pricing are essential for smooth store operations.
• Safety Hazard Reporting: Immediately reporting any safety hazards and violations is critical for preventing accidents and maintaining a safe workplace.
• Additional Assigned Duties: Flexibility is important. You will perform other duties as assigned by Store, Regional, or Global Leadership, demonstrating adaptability and a willingness to contribute wherever needed.

Essential Skills for a Team Trainer

• Confident and Inspiring Communicator: Comfortably speaking with both small and large groups and possessing the ability to inspire and motivate others is essential for effective training delivery.
• Constructive and Positive Teaching Approach: You will be capable of teaching others in a constructive, positive, and encouraging manner, fostering a growth mindset among new team members.
• Basic Computer Proficiency: General computer skills and a fundamental knowledge of software applications, such as the MS Office Suite, are necessary for administrative tasks and training material development.
• Whole Foods Market Learning Systems Familiarity: A working knowledge of Whole Foods Market’s learning systems is beneficial for accessing resources, tracking training, and managing records.

General Skills for All Whole Foods Market Positions

• Strong Teamwork and Communication Abilities: Possessing strong communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively as part of a team is fundamental to success at Whole Foods Market.
• Clear and Respectful Information Delivery: You will be able to deliver information in a clear, respectful, and professional manner to fellow Team Members, customers, and vendors.
• Customer Service Excellence: The ability to consistently meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members is paramount.
• Direction Following and Time Management Skills: You will be able to follow directions and procedures effectively, demonstrating strong time management and organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities.
• Passion for Quality Food and the Whole Foods Market Mission: A genuine passion for high-quality foods and a strong alignment with the mission of Whole Foods Market are highly valued.
• Strong Work Ethic and Efficiency: You will possess a strong work ethic and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, maintaining a sense of urgency and efficiency.
• Understanding of Quality Goals: A clear understanding of and commitment to Whole Foods Market’s quality goals is essential for maintaining our high standards.

Experience Required

• 6 months of prior Whole Foods Market experience is preferred. Equivalent retail training experience will also be considered, demonstrating a foundation in training principles and practices.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Physical Strength: Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, demonstrating the physical capability to handle various tasks within the store environment.
• Standing and Walking: In an 8-hour workday, expect to be standing and walking for 6-8 hours, indicative of an active role that requires mobility.
• Hand Dexterity: Requires frequent hand use involving single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling, necessary for various tasks from handling products to using equipment.
• Physical Motions: The role involves bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching, highlighting the need for physical flexibility and range of motion.
• Chemical Exposure: May be exposed to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals, requiring adherence to safety protocols and potentially the use of protective equipment.
• Temperature Variations: Exposure to varying temperatures is possible, including working in environments less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezers), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), and greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, necessitating adaptability to different working conditions.
• Wet and/or Cold Environments: Ability to work in wet and/or cold environments is required, indicating potential exposure to these conditions depending on the department and tasks.
• Flexible Schedule: Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed, to meet the demands of the retail environment.
• Equipment Operation: Ability to safely use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery, is required for certain tasks, emphasizing the need for training and adherence to safety guidelines.

Whole Foods Market provides equal opportunities for all team members and applicants, fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage all qualified individuals who are passionate about food and training to apply for this exciting opportunity.