Produce Manager Resume examples & templates
Copyable Produce Manager Resume examples
What's the secret behind those perfectly stacked pyramids of gleaming apples or the vibrant rainbow of vegetables that greet you at the grocery store? It's not just artistic flair—it's the strategic work of a skilled Produce Manager. Beyond creating eye-catching displays, today's produce professionals are part supply chain expert, part food scientist, and part sustainability champion. With consumers increasingly prioritizing fresh, local, and organic options, produce departments now generate approximately 33% of supermarket sales despite occupying just 8% of floor space (according to the latest Food Marketing Institute report).
The produce landscape is shifting dramatically. Farm-to-table initiatives, zero-waste programs, and tech-driven inventory systems are transforming how departments operate. Those plastic-wrapped cucumbers? They're being replaced with sustainable packaging or none at all! As climate challenges and changing consumer preferences reshape the industry, Produce Managers who can balance quality, sustainability, and profitability are becoming the MVPs of modern retail. The ripest opportunities (pun intended) await those who can navigate this evolving field with creativity and business savvy.
Junior Produce Manager Resume Example
Carlos Mendez
Denver, CO 80205 • (303) 555-7842 • carlos.mendez@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/carlosmendez
Detail-oriented Produce Manager with 2 years of experience in grocery retail. Strong background in inventory management, quality control, and merchandising. Passionate about seasonal produce selection and building customer relationships. Successfully reduced shrink by 14% through improved rotation practices while training 7 team members on produce handling standards.
EXPERIENCE
Produce Manager – Hillside Market, Denver, CO
March 2023 – Present
- Manage daily operations of produce department generating $18,500 in weekly sales
- Oversee inventory management and ordering for 175+ produce items, maintaining 97% in-stock position
- Coordinate with 4 local farmers to source specialty and seasonal produce
- Cut department shrink from 8.7% to 7.5% through improved rotation and display techniques
- Train and supervise 3 produce clerks on proper handling, storage, and customer service
Assistant Produce Manager – Hillside Market, Denver, CO
August 2022 – March 2023
- Assisted department manager with daily operations, including opening/closing procedures
- Maintained attractive displays and ensured proper rotation of all items
- Processed morning deliveries and conducted quality checks on incoming shipments
- Created weekly sampling program that increased sales of specialty items by 23%
Produce Clerk – Fresh Foods Co-op, Boulder, CO
June 2021 – August 2022
- Stocked, rotated, and culled produce department throughout shift
- Assisted customers with product selection and answered questions about organic produce
- Maintained department cleanliness and sanitized food prep areas
- Helped implement new composting program that reduced waste disposal costs by $210 monthly
EDUCATION
Associate of Applied Science, Business Management
Front Range Community College – Westminster, CO
Graduated: May 2021
Certifications
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification (2021, renewed 2023)
- Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training (2022)
- First Aid/CPR Certified (2022)
SKILLS
- Inventory Management
- Product Merchandising
- Vendor Relations
- Quality Control
- Team Leadership
- Seasonal Planning
- POS Systems (NCR)
- MS Excel (intermediate)
- Customer Service
- Loss Prevention
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Participated in Denver Food Rescue volunteer program (2022-present)
Completed Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series at Denver Botanic Gardens (Spring 2023)
Mid-level Produce Manager Resume Example
Vincent Nguyen
San Diego, CA | (619) 555-8472 | vnguyen.produce@email.com | linkedin.com/in/vincentnguyen
Produce Manager with 5+ years of experience maximizing department profitability and freshness standards. Known for reducing shrink by implementing innovative inventory controls while mentoring staff to provide exceptional customer service. Strong background in seasonal planning, local sourcing relationships, and merchandising techniques that have consistently increased department sales.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Produce Manager | Parkview Market | San Diego, CA | February 2021 – Present
- Oversee daily operations of $1.8M annual produce department with team of 8 associates
- Reduced department shrink from 8.7% to 4.2% by implementing improved inventory rotation system and training staff on proper handling techniques
- Established relationships with 6 local farms, increasing “locally grown” sales by 31% and improving gross margin by 4.3%
- Created seasonal merchandising displays that boosted impulse purchases by 27% during peak harvests
- Developed training program that improved associate product knowledge, resulting in 22% increase in customer satisfaction scores
Assistant Produce Manager | Fresh Harvest Grocers | Escondido, CA | June 2019 – February 2021
- Assisted department manager with scheduling, inventory control, and merchandising for busy suburban location
- Implemented “flash sale” program for near-date items that decreased shrink by 14% while maintaining margin
- Trained and mentored 12 new hires, with 9 advancing to senior associate positions
- Coordinated weekend farmers market events that increased Saturday traffic by 33%
Produce Clerk | Sunshine Foods | San Diego, CA | August 2018 – June 2019
- Maintained produce displays throughout shift, ensuring proper rotation and appealing presentation
- Developed knowledge of over 200 seasonal produce items and their proper handling
- Recognized as “Employee of the Month” twice for exceptional customer service
- Assisted with quarterly inventory counts and markdown procedures
EDUCATION
Associate of Science, Business Management
San Diego Mesa College | San Diego, CA | 2018
CERTIFICATIONS
Food Safety Manager Certification – ServSafe (2020, renewed 2023)
Retail Management Certificate – Western Association of Food Chains (2022)
First Aid & CPR – American Red Cross (2021)
SKILLS
- Inventory Management & Shrink Control
- Staff Training & Development
- Merchandising & Display Design
- Vendor Relations & Negotiation
- POS Systems (NCR, Revel)
- Quality Control & Freshness Standards
- Seasonal Planning & Forecasting
- Microsoft Office & Google Workspace
- Order Management & Receiving
- Bilingual: English & Vietnamese
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Volunteer | San Diego Food Bank | 2020 – Present
Sort and distribute fresh produce donations twice monthly, helping provide fresh options for food-insecure families.
Senior / Experienced Produce Manager Resume Example
Miguel A. Ramirez
Phone: (415) 555-7892 • Email: miguel.ramirez@email.com • Fresno, CA 93721
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/miguelramirez • Available for relocation
Professional Summary
Seasoned Produce Manager with 10+ years of progressive experience in fresh department operations and team leadership. Known for implementing inventory systems that reduced shrink by 4.3% while boosting department sales by $172K annually. Strong background in seasonal planning, vendor relations, and staff development in high-volume grocery environments. Looking to bring my expertise in organic product merchandising and sustainability initiatives to a growing operation.
Professional Experience
Senior Produce Manager – Westside Market (Fresno, CA)
May 2018 – Present
- Oversee produce operations for a $4.5M annual department, managing 12 full and part-time associates across a 3,800 sq ft department
- Reduced department shrink from 8.7% to 4.4% through improved ordering practices and staff training on proper rotation and handling techniques
- Established relationships with 14 local farms to create “Local Harvest” program, which increased weekend traffic by 22% and boosted gross margins by 3.1%
- Implemented new markdown strategy that recovered $47K in potential loss while maintaining premium department image
- Manage $28K weekly ordering budget; consistently maintain 97%+ in-stock position on core items
- Trained and developed 3 assistant managers who were promoted to department leadership roles
Produce Manager – Fresh Fare Markets (San Jose, CA)
January 2015 – April 2018
- Directed daily operations of produce department generating $3.2M in annual sales
- Increased organic sales by 31% year-over-year by creating dedicated organic fixtures and implementing educational signage program
- Cut labor costs by 6.8% while improving customer satisfaction scores from 4.1 to 4.7 (out of 5)
- Conducted weekly quality audits resulting in better product selection and 18% fewer customer complaints
- Managed seasonal planning and holiday promotions, achieving 142% of sales targets during peak periods
Assistant Produce Manager – Valley Fresh Foods (Modesto, CA)
August 2013 – December 2014
- Supported department manager with daily operations, including ordering, inventory management, and merchandising
- Scheduled and supervised team of 8 associates, ensuring optimal coverage during peak shopping hours
- Implemented “Quick Response” ordering system that decreased out-of-stocks by 23%
- Trained new hires on produce handling, food safety protocols, and customer service standards
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Business Management
California State University, Fresno – 2012
Certifications:
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) – 2019
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification (Current)
- Produce Marketing Association – Category Management Certificate – 2017
- Advanced Produce Safety Certification – United Fresh – 2016
Skills
- Inventory Management Systems (FreshPro, PeachTree)
- P&L Management & Financial Analysis
- Staff Training & Development
- Merchandising & Display Design
- Vendor Negotiations & Relationship Management
- Sustainability Practices & Zero-Waste Initiatives
- Seasonal Planning & Holiday Promotions
- Food Safety & Quality Control Standards
- Organic Product Knowledge & Certification Requirements
- Microsoft Office & Inventory Management Software
Professional Affiliations
- Produce Marketing Association (PMA), Member since 2015
- California Grocers Association, Member
- Fresno Food Policy Council, Advisory Member 2019-Present
How to Write a Produce Manager Resume
Introduction
When you're aiming for a Produce Manager position, your resume isn't just a formality—it's your ticket to the interview. Having reviewed hundreds of produce department resumes over the years, I can tell you that most hiring managers spend about 7.4 seconds scanning each one before deciding whether to keep reading. That's barely enough time to spot a bruised apple, let alone evaluate your career! The good news? A well-crafted resume for this role can immediately showcase your merchandising skills, inventory management expertise, and team leadership—exactly what grocery chains and food retailers are looking for.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and organized (just like your produce department should be!). Here's what works best:
- Length: Stick to 1-2 pages max—one page for those with under 5 years experience, two pages if you're a veteran produce pro
- Font: Use readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10-12pt size
- Spacing: Include adequate white space—cramming too much text is like overstocking a display case
- Sections: Clear headings for each section with consistent formatting
- File format: Save as PDF (unless specifically requested otherwise) to preserve formatting
Pro Tip: Many produce managers list skills at the top, but what really catches a hiring manager's eye is placing measurable achievements front and center. Leading with "Reduced produce shrink by 3.2% while increasing department sales by $214K annually" tells a much more compelling story than simply listing "inventory management skills."
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be brief (3-5 lines) but packed with your most impressive qualifications. Think of it as the "feature display" of your resume—what do you want shoppers to see first?
- Mention your years of experience in produce management
- Highlight your biggest achievement (with numbers!)
- Include relevant certifications (Food Safety, ServSafe, etc.)
- Reference your management style or team size if impressive
Example: "Detail-oriented Produce Manager with 6+ years overseeing departments generating $35K+ weekly sales. Trained 27 associates while maintaining 98.7% in-stock position and reducing shrink to under 4%. Certified in Food Safety Management and skilled in seasonal promotional planning."
Professional Experience
This is where the real differentiating happens. For each position:
- Start with company name, location, your title, and dates (month/year)
- Include 4-6 bullet points that emphasize results, not just responsibilities
- Lead with action verbs: "Managed," "Implemented," "Reduced," "Increased"
- Quantify whenever possible—sales figures, shrink percentages, team size
Skip the obvious stuff. Every produce manager orders inventory and stocks shelves! Instead, focus on how you did it better than others:
- Did you implement a new rotation system that cut waste?
- Did you negotiate better with vendors?
- Did you create an award-winning display that boosted sales?
- Did your department outperform others in customer satisfaction?
Education and Certifications
List relevant education with the most recent first. Include:
- Degree/diploma, institution name, graduation year
- Industry certifications (Food Handler's, Organic Produce Specialist, etc.)
- Relevant training programs (Leadership, Inventory Management)
- Omit high school if you have higher education
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many retailers use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. To pass through:
- Include specific produce terminology: "FIFO rotation," "cross-merchandising," "cold chain management"
- Mention systems you've used: "Produce Pro software," "handheld ordering devices," "inventory forecasting tools"
- Reference key metrics: "shrink percentage," "sales per labor hour," "gross profit margin"
- Avoid images, headers/footers, and tables that can confuse ATS systems
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing every produce item you've ever handled (seriously, I've seen this!)
- Using generic phrases like "responsible for" instead of action verbs
- Focusing on daily tasks rather than achievements
- Forgetting to proofread (nothing says "I don't pay attention to detail" like typos)
- Using the same resume for every application without tailoring
Finally, remember that your resume should tell the story of how you've grown in your career—from perhaps your first job stocking apples to becoming the person who decides which apple varieties to stock and how to price them. Each role should show progression and increased responsibility, just like you'd build a produce display from the bottom up.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Produce Manager resume
- Cross-functional team leadership (managed both stock teams and customer-facing staff during busy seasons)
- Conflict resolution – defused tense vendor situations without escalation to store management
- On-the-fly problem solving when product quality issues arise mid-shift
- Clear communication across diverse staff backgrounds (some with limited English proficiency)
- Time management during simultaneous department needs (deliveries arriving while customers need assistance)
- Stress tolerance during holiday rush periods and supply chain disruptions
Hard skills for your Produce Manager resume
- Produce Quality Inspection and Grading (USDA standards)
- Inventory Management Systems (FreshIQ, Produce Pro)
- Cold Chain Management and Temperature Control
- POS System Operation (NCR Counterpoint, Shopkeep)
- Shrink Analysis and Waste Reduction Techniques
- Category Management and Planogram Development
- HACCP Food Safety Certification
- Profit Margin Calculation and Product Costing
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification