Specialty Order Writer (Beer, Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Buyer / Inventory Replenishment)

Orders, replenishes, and merchandises Specialty products and participates in regional programs for purchasing and promotions. Performs all functions related to breaking down deliveries and merchandising new products and stocking shelves. Assists Team Leader in organizing and developing promotional displays and maintaining OTS standards. All Whole Foods Market Retail jobs require ensuring a positive company image by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members at all times. All positions must be performed in accordance with team and store Standard Operating Procedures. Further, Team Members must be prepared and able to perform the duties inherent in other Team Member job descriptions. All positions must strive to support WFM core values and goals, promote national, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure adherence to all applicable health and safety regulations including Food Safety and regulatory duties required in the department.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintains, or ensures maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; maintains equipment in accordance with WFM cleanliness and safety standards.
• Completes spoilage, sampling, temperature, and sweep worksheets as required.
• Arrives to work station on time, appropriately groomed, dressed and ready to work; works all scheduled shifts and attends required trainings and meetings.
• Follows and complies, or ensures compliance, with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
• Achieves and exceeds assigned / established margin and sales targets.
• Creates effective merchandising displays.
• Purchases and replenishes Specialty items through proper buying procedures.
• Understands why WFM products are different from conventional stores and explains differences to customers.
• Maintains organized and safe back stock area.
• Maximizes sales potential through effective and proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
• Samples department products to customers.
• Provides excellent customer service, addresses needs of customers in a timely and effective manner and models suggestive selling techniques; answers phones and pages promptly and courteously.
• Performs other duties as assigned by store, regional, or national leadership. Performs other duties as assigned by store, regional, or national leadership.
• Analyzes and controls product waste and spoilage.
• Immediately reports safety hazards and violations.
• Oversees customer special order procedure.
• Requests and ensures proper signage and pricing.
• Processes invoices and returns.
• Ensures orders are timely and accurate to monitor inventory turns.
• Participates in national, regional and store promotional programs.
• Performs opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned; ensures accuracy of signs and pricing.

Job Skills

• Strong to excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Ability to educate team on product knowledge and convey enthusiasm.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.
• Knowledge and ability to use computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and ordering systems.
• Understanding of and compliance with WFM quality goals
• Strong basic math skills.
• Familiarity and/or willingness to learn about products, nutritional information and other areas of study.
• Ability to follow directions and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.
• Working knowledge and application of all specialty merchandising expectations.
• Extensive specialty knowledge, including production, distribution, seasonal availability, advances and trends.
• Passion for natural foods and the mission of Whole Foods Market.
• Demonstrates a desire to grow with the Specialty team.
• Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members.
• Ability to deliver information in a clear and respectable manner to fellow Team Members, customers, and vendors.

Experience

• 12+ months retail experience

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
• Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Where applicable, TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol) course completion required and must be age 18 years of age or older to serve alcohol.
• Exposure to temperatures: 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
• Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
• In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.

Note: The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. This document does not reflect all job duties or requirements for every position. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level. Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental or geographic location, and/or needs for the particular position. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position. Completion of certain milestones such as obtaining an advanced degree or certification, time in current position, or developing skills to perform at the higher-level role do not guarantee a promotion.
Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for all parts of the recruitment process.
The Company is an equal opportunity employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing the application materials or any aspect of the application process, please contact the local Human Resources office at the worksite where you are applying for a position.
Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.