Grocery Produce Manager at HAPPIER PEOPLE MANAGEMENT LLC – New York, New York

Produce Manager
(In Person: 5 days/week)
365 Canal St. New York, NY 10013

About Happier Grocery
At Happier Grocery, we’re passionate about bringing thoughtfully sourced, high-quality food to our community in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Our team is made of individuals who care deeply about what they do and we are looking for a dedicated Produce Manger to join our growing company.

About the Role:
We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Produce Manager to lead our fresh produce program. The ideal candidate brings a deep appreciation for organic and seasonal produce, strong relationships with farms and growers, and a creative, forward-thinking approach to produce curation. This role is responsible for all aspects of department operations—including ordering, inventory management, seasonal planning, and waste reduction. You'll work closely with other departments to create a seamless and inspiring store experience.

Key Responsibilities:
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the produce department, including inventory, quality control, and ordering
• Develop and execute a seasonal buying strategy with a diverse and rotating produce selection
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with farms and wholesale vendors; initiate new farm and local grower partnerships
• Plan and implement creative, educational, and visually engaging produce displays
• Ensure seamless communication with other store departments around inventory, cross-merchandising, and promotions
• Create and maintain SOPs and training manuals for produce handling, storage, and customer engagement
• Train and develop staff to confidently speak about and care for produce
• Monitor and minimize produce waste; develop strategies for sustainability and product repurposing
• Maintain high standards for freshness, cleanliness, and product presentation
• Track performance metrics and adjust ordering, merchandising, or staffing as needed

What We’re Looking For:
• 3+ years in a produce manager or buyer role, preferably in a natural or independent grocery environment
• Expert knowledge of produce seasonality, variety, and sourcing
• Strong relationships with local or regional farms a major plus
• Creative and modern merchandising sensibility
• Strong communicator and enthusiastic team leader
• Deep interest in holistic nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and health-driven retail
• Experience writing training materials or SOPs
• Background in agriculture, horticulture, or culinary
• Familiarity with produce-forward menu planning or CSA curation

Compensation Range $65k-$85k