New Store – Perishable Associate Team Leader (Assistant Department Manager) – Bradenton, FL - Fall 2026

Job Responsibilities  

• Follows through on customer questions and requests, resolving concerns as needed. 

• Works with Team Leader to achieve sales, margin, expense, and labor targets. 

• Assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports, and labor. 

• Demonstrates advanced product knowledge and develops / maintains awareness of new products. 

• Works with Team Leader to resolve team concerns or issues. 

• Functions as point person and departmental person-in-charge in absence of Team Leader. 

• Sets and achieves the highest standards of retail execution. 

• Fosters and encourages a positive environment of outstanding teamwork, mutual respect, and exceptional morale. 

• Maintains awareness of customer flows and needs and directs Team Members as necessary to satisfy and delight customers; responds promptly to customer needs and questions. 

• Selects, trains, develops, mentors, motivates, and counsels Team Members in a manner that sustains a high-performance team and minimizes turnover. 

• Communicates and maintains Team Member safety and security standards. 

• Consistently communicates and models WFM vision and goals. 

• Respond promptly to customer needs and questions 

• Establish and maintain collaborative and productive working relationships with departmental and store leadership 

• Attend all meetings assigned by Leadership, including daily huddles. 

• Promotes company program and initiatives as needed 

• Maintains operational standards including but not limited to safety and store security protocols  

• Ensure adherence to all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements  

• Performs other duties as assigned by store or company leadership 

Job Skills 

• High energy, enthusiastic, and displays an affinity for our products, core values, and company philosophy 

• Extensive knowledge of supported department(s) products 

• Growth mindset towards greater responsibility and ownership 

• Desire to coach and mentor others for growth 

• Excellent interpersonal, motivational, team building, and customer relationship skills 

• Capable of teaching others in a positive and constructive manner 

• Thorough product knowledge 

• Ability to visually examine products for quality and freshness 

• Advanced knowledge of regulatory and safety policies and procedures 

• Proficient mathematical skills for assessing financial performance, monitoring profitability, and managing inventory 

• Demonstrated decision-making ability, leadership skills, and ability to prioritize and delegate 

• Proficiency with email, Microsoft Office, and operations-related applications 

Experience / Qualifications  

• 18+ months retail experience including 12+ months of team leadership experience. 

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred 

• Must be 18+ years old 

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions  

• Stand/walk for 6-8 hours per shift 

• Lift up to 50 pounds 

• Work in various to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• Perform work in a wet and cold environment. 

• Perform repeated motions: bending, reaching, grasping, twisting, squatting 

• Operate standard retail equipment safely including box cutters, knives, electric pallet jacks, forklifts, ladders, hand trucks, six-wheel carts, balers, and other heavy machinery. 

• Exposure to refrigerated areas and FDA approved cleaning chemicals 

• Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays 

• Thrive in a fast-paced retail environment 

Bradenton Structure (Echelon Model)  

The Bradenton location will function with a consolidated team operational model with two key structural changes: First, a unified operations model that combines Center Store (Grocery, Specialty, Whole Body) and Perishables (Meat, Seafood, Produce) teams. Second, the creation of a dedicated Inventory Management Team to centralize and optimize store inventory operations and order writing. This transformation is a cornerstone initiative which strengthens our labor management foundations with a customer-obsessed, forward-thinking innovative approach to operational organization. Benefits include:  

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined team structures eliminate redundancies and create clearer execution pathways, reducing administrative burden on leadership while improving task completion rates.  

• Enhanced Team Member Development: Cross-functional team design provides team members with diverse experience across multiple operational areas, creating transparent career pathways and building versatile skill sets.  

• Improved Customer Experience: Demand-responsive scheduling and clearer role accountability ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time to serve customers.  

Associate Team Leader Preferred Qualities 

Leadership & People Development 

• Experience leading small teams (5-15 associates) or serving as a shift lead 

• Demonstrates ability to train new team members and provide real-time coaching 

• Builds positive relationships and holds peers accountable to standards 

Innovation & Adaptability 

• Open to learning new processes and systems 

• Willing to try new approaches when current methods aren't working 

• Adapts positively when schedules, tasks, or priorities change 

• Shares feedback on what's working and what isn't 

Operational Excellence 

• Solid understanding of daily store operations in their department 

• Follows standard operating procedures for inventory, merchandising, and safety 

• Contributes to meeting team goals for productivity and quality 

Self-Starter Mindset 

• Proactively addresses issues without waiting to be told 

• Takes ownership of their work area and looks for ways to improve 

• Comfortable making routine decisions during their shift 

Customer Focus 

• Consistently delivers positive customer interactions 

• Takes initiative to help customers and resolve basic concerns 

• Models customer-first behaviors for other associates