Are you passionate about high-quality meat and exceptional customer service? Whole Foods Market La Jolla is seeking a dedicated and experienced Meat Team Leader to join our dynamic team. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, excel at team leadership, and have a deep knowledge of meat products, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity in beautiful La Jolla, California.
As a Meat Team Leader at our La Jolla location, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our meat department. You will work closely with the team leadership to supervise Meat Team Members, maintain attractive and informative meat displays, and uphold the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction that Whole Foods Market is known for. This role demands a commitment to providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to both our customers and fellow team members, embodying the core values of Whole Foods Market.
Responsibilities of a Meat Team Leader
Your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Supervision and Team Leadership: Effectively supervise and delegate tasks to Meat Team Members, ensuring efficient workflow and a positive team environment.
- Training and Development: Collaborate with the Team Trainer to onboard and train new Team Members, utilizing learning checklists and training materials to build a high-performing and engaged team. Assist in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the meat department.
- Customer Service Excellence: Proactively address and resolve customer inquiries and concerns, ensuring a positive shopping experience. Maintain a strong presence on the sales floor to address customer needs and provide expert advice on meat selections and preparation.
- Operational Efficiency: Ensure all necessary breaks are provided to team members and that all required logs, including temperature, sweep, and sanitation logs, are accurately completed and maintained.
- Retail Execution and Standards: Set and maintain the highest standards of retail execution, ensuring compelling and well-stocked meat displays that meet Whole Foods Market’s visual merchandising standards.
- Team Environment and Morale: Foster a positive and collaborative work environment characterized by outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale. Encourage open communication and teamwork to achieve departmental goals.
- Customer Awareness and Responsiveness: Maintain a keen awareness of customer traffic patterns and needs, and proactively direct Team Members to provide optimal customer service. Respond promptly and effectively to customer requests and questions.
- Team Member Management: Participate in the selection, training, development, mentoring, and motivation of Team Members. Conduct timely and thoughtful performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback for team member growth.
- Safety and Security: Communicate and enforce Team Member safety and security standards, ensuring a safe working environment for all.
- Communication and Vision: Consistently communicate and model Whole Foods Market’s vision, goals, and values, ensuring team alignment and understanding of company objectives.
Skills We Are Looking For
To excel in this Meat Team Leader role at our La Jolla store, you should possess:
- Exceptional Communication and Leadership Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop others.
- In-depth Meat Product Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of various meat products, cuts, and their preparation methods. Ability to confidently communicate information about animal living conditions and sourcing to both customers and Team Members.
- Interpersonal and Team Building Abilities: Strong interpersonal, motivational, and team-building skills, with a focus on fostering positive customer relationships.
- Positive Training and Mentoring Approach: Capable of effectively teaching and coaching others in a positive and constructive manner.
- Thorough Product Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of meat department products, including specialty items and seasonal offerings.
- Advanced Regulatory and Safety Knowledge: Solid understanding of relevant regulatory and safety policies and procedures related to meat handling and food safety.
- Mathematical and Financial Acumen: Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and effectively managing inventory within the meat department.
- Decision-Making and Leadership Capabilities: Demonstrated decision-making ability, strong leadership skills, and the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities.
- Technical Proficiency: Comfortable using email, Microsoft Office Suite, and other operations-related applications.
Experience and Physical Requirements
- Experience: Minimum of 12 months of retail experience, preferably within a meat department or similar fresh food environment.
- Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand and walk for 6-8 hours during an 8-hour workday.
- Dexterity in hand use, including single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
- Physical capability to perform motions such as bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
- Tolerance to exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals.
- Ability to work in varying temperature conditions, including temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), and above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Ability to work in wet and cold environments, common in meat processing and storage areas.
- Comfort and proficiency in handling knives and other cutting equipment safely.
- Flexibility to work a variable schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on business needs.
- Ability to safely operate tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
Whole Foods Market Benefits and Compensation
The wage range for this Meat Team Leader position in La Jolla is $18.00 – $30.20 Hourly, commensurate with your experience and qualifications.
Whole Foods Market offers a comprehensive and competitive “Whole Benefits” package. This may include health insurance, retirement plan benefits, eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, and access to various other benefit programs. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined according to the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at your date of hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer
At Whole Foods Market, we are committed to providing a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. We hire and promote individuals solely based on their qualifications for the position and business needs.
We encourage all interested and qualified candidates to apply for the Meat Team Leader position at our Whole Foods Market La Jolla location. Join our team and contribute to providing the highest quality natural and organic foods to our community! Apply today through our careers website. Please be aware of fraudulent job postings on other career sites and always apply directly through the official Whole Foods Market careers page.
