What are the main responsibilities of a Produce Specialist at Gold Star Foods?

As a Produce Specialist at Gold Star Foods, your main responsibilities will include sourcing high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables, ensuring strict adherence to food safety standards, developing merchandising strategies, managing inventory to minimize waste, and providing expert support to customers. You'll also analyze sales data and market trends to drive category growth.

What experience is required for the Produce Specialist role at Gold Star Foods?

The Produce Specialist role requires at least 3 years of experience in produce management, food distribution, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree is preferred. Key skills include strong knowledge of fresh produce, seasonality, market trends, inventory control, quality assurance, and proficiency in analyzing sales and inventory data.

What kind of work environment can I expect as a Produce Specialist at Gold Star Foods?

You can expect to work in a fast-paced distribution environment at Gold Star Foods. The company emphasizes incredible customer service and a positive team atmosphere, where teammates are valued and enjoy their work. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

How does Gold Star Foods ensure quality and food safety for its produce?

Gold Star Foods ensures quality and food safety through rigorous evaluation of product quality upon receipt and throughout storage, strict adherence to food safety and regulatory standards, and by collaborating with approved growers and suppliers. The Produce Specialist plays a key role in maintaining these high standards.

What are the opportunities for growth or advancement as a Produce Specialist at Gold Star Foods?

While specific career paths aren't detailed, Gold Star Foods is the leading food distributor to K-12 schools in the U.S., suggesting a stable and growing industry. As a specialist role, there are opportunities to deepen expertise, potentially move into management within purchasing or sales, or contribute to broader category management initiatives.

Produce Specialist at Gold Star Foods | Apply at Gold Star Foods | Jobs near Ontario

Product Specialist

Division/Department: Purchasing

Reports To: Produce Manager

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Gold Star Foods is the leading food distributor to K-12 schools in the United States. We are a company devoted to providing our customers with incredible customer service. We know that it is our teammates who make the difference! Join our team and find out what it is like to work somewhere where you enjoy getting up for work every day!

Position Overview

The GS Foods Group is seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented Produce Specialist to oversee the sourcing, quality control, merchandising, and performance of our fresh fruit and vegetable category.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in produce management, a passion for quality and food safety, and the ability to drive sales while minimizing shrink and waste.

Principle Responsibilities

Sourcing & Quality Control

Source high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables from approved growers and suppliers.
Evaluate product quality upon receipt and throughout storage to ensure freshness, appearance, and compliance with company standards.
Maintain strict adherence to food safety and regulatory standards.
Collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality concerns and maintain strong vendor relationships.

Merchandising & Category Management

Develop and implement merchandising strategies that maximize product appeal and sales performance.
Monitor product rotation and presentation to reduce shrink and optimize freshness.
Partner with sales teams and customers to create seasonal and promotional programs.

Customer Service & Client Support

Provide expert-level support to key customer accounts.
Train internal staff and customers on proper produce handling, storage, and display techniques.
Prepare and distribute market reports, pricing trends, and forward-looking forecasts to customers.
Serve as a subject matter expert on produce trends, availability, and seasonality.

Inventory Management

Monitor inventory levels to ensure optimal stock without overstocking.
Coordinate proper storage conditions (temperature, humidity, rotation).
Track and analyze shrink, spoilage, and turnover rates.
Implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Sales & Performance Analysis

Analyze sales data, margin performance, and product movement.
Work closely with key customer accounts to achieve sales targets and category growth.
Identify new product opportunities and emerging market trends.
Support promotional planning and pricing strategies.

Required Skills

Strong knowledge of fresh fruits and vegetables, seasonality, and market trends.
Experience in inventory control and quality assurance.
Proficiency in analyzing sales and inventory data.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Commitment to food safety standards and regulatory compliance.
Ability to work in a fast-paced distribution environment.

Education/Experience

3+ years of experience in produce management, food distribution, or related field.
Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Working Conditions And Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist, or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques are required. May include lifting to 25 pounds on occasion.

EOE M/W/Vet/Disabled

The above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements as the employee may be required to perform any other duties as assigned. In the event of an absence where the teammate cannot perform these duties, the Manager will determine who shall perform these duties.

Affirmative Action Statement

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor under federal, state, or local law.

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Key skills/competency

Produce Management
Quality Control
Food Safety
Merchandising
Inventory Management
Sales Analysis
Customer Support
Supplier Relations
Market Trends
Distribution Environment

Produce Specialist

Job highlights

About the role