Vice President of Produce

At Heritage Grocers Group, how we work is defined by shared values that include absolute integrity, respect and collaboration. But it's more than that, it's smart and highly driven people united in purpose to serve one another.Find out exactly what skills, experience, and qualifications you will need to succeed in this role before applying below.Bring your energy and unique perspective and you'll have the opportunity to grow with us professionally, personally, and financially. You'll be part of a team that genuinely cares about helping you succeed, and you'll work alongside talented colleagues, establishing friendships and making a difference in our communities.POSITION SUMMARY:We are seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President of Produce to lead our produce division across all Heritage Grocers Group banners. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the fresh produce industry, including sourcing, supply chain management, and merchandising. This role is responsible for driving sales growth, ensuring product quality and freshness, and developing a team of professionals to achieve and exceed business goals.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the produce department that aligns with the company's overall business objectives. This includes setting sales targets, managing budgets, and identifying growth opportunities.Sourcing and Procurement: Oversee the sourcing and procurement of all produce items, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with local and national growers and suppliers. Ensure a consistent supply of high-quality, fresh, and seasonal products.Merchandising and Operations: Lead the development of effective merchandising plans, including product assortment, pricing strategies, and in-store displays. Ensure operational excellence across all stores, focusing on inventory management, waste reduction, and maintaining department cleanliness and safety standards.Market Analysis: Stay abreast of market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor activities to inform strategic decisions and maintain a competitive edge.Operational ExcellenceAbility to work cross-functionally with operations and other parts of the organization in highly matrixed environment. Build close relationships with the executive team to drive innovation and alignment across operational efforts throughout system.Capable of focusing on accelerating performance through cohesive planning and execution.Dedicated to meeting expectations of internal and external customers. Demonstrate care and compassion for people; show empathy and concern. Able to build and maintain positive team relationships, relate well to diverse people; is approachable.Ensure company is in full compliance with Company, Federal, State, local regulatory safety, labor, workers compensation and health requirements. Compliance of the Bank Secrecy Act.Team Member DevelopmentRecruit, train, and mentor a high-performing team of produce managers and associates. Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.Ability to manage a successful team that allows individual team members opportunities for professional growth.Cultivate a culture of high performance and accountability. Set clear performance expectations for her/his team and follows-up with timely performance evaluations and development plans.Embrace positive employee relations through consistent and fair application of company policies and leadership values.Maintain a positive work environment and ensure fair and consistent treatment of all team members.Leadership and Management SkillsMotivate, inspire and create engagement with the Executive and Senior Team. Exemplify the desired culture and values of the organization (high ethics, integrity, trust, respect, loyalty and humility).Effectively manage stress and remain calm under pressure. Effectively cope with change and lead company's new programs across the organization. Assertive when dealing with conflict and maintains responsibility for outcomes.Capable of making recommendations to effectively resolve issues, by using sound judgement that is consistent with company standards, practices and policies.Financial ResultsResponsible for ensuring P&L company results get delivered.Analyze financial data in her/his area of responsibility to determine areas of opportunity and develop plans to resolve performance gaps.SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's degree in business administration, Agriculture or a related field (master's degree preferred).10+ years of merchandising or category management experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role within the retail grocery industry.Strong business acumen and financial management skills.Excellent negotiation and communication abilities.Proven track record of driving sales and profitability.Exceptional leadership and team-building skills.In-depth knowledge of produce quality control, food safety regulations, and supply chain logistics.Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus.PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS:The physical demands and work conditions below represent those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Some requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and use the hands to handle objects, tools or controls.Successful performance requires vision abilities that include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.The work environment is typical of an office.IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICEThe job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.Disclaimer:Pay Scale $200K to $240K annual salaryThe pay scale above is the salary or hourly wage range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position.Within this range, individual pay is determined by location and other factors including, but not limited to, specific skills, relevant work experience, and relevant education and/or training. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with California Labor Code § 432.3 and state and local minimum wage standards.

Created: 2025-09-25