Produce Associate Jobs
Produce Associate jobs are open across grocery retail, wholesale distribution, and food service, from entry-level to department lead, with specializations in inventory management, food safety compliance, and fresh merchandising. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Produce Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 276+ Produce Associate jobs
A career at Whole Foods Market is more than just the work you do- it's about your personal growth and creating meaningful change. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. That means improving how people eat, funding grants for school gardens, providing access to fresh and healthy food to people living within food deserts, alleviating poverty in developing countries, and so much more. Working with us means you are making a difference within your community and beyond. We aren't just a grocery store: we're world-changers. And with your help, we will continue to set the standards of excellence and revolutionize the grocery industry.
Job Responsibilities
Develops and maintains creative store layout and product merchandising.
Works with Team Leader to achieve sales, purchasing, and labor targets.
Assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports and labor.
Demonstrates advanced product knowledge and develops / maintains awareness of new products.
Maintains good vendor relationships, develops new vendor relations, and ensures all paperwork is properly submitted for vendor processing.
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.
Provides timely, thorough, and thoughtful performance evaluations.
Consistently communicates and models WFM vision and goals.
Job Skills
High energy, enthusiastic, and displays an affinity for our products, core values, and company philosophy.
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.
Product knowledge.
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
- 18+ months retail Team Member experience and 6+ months of supervisory experience
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
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.
The wage range for this position is $21.55-$35.00 Hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits". Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for Full and Part-Time Team Members, including eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal). Click here for benefit details.At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
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.
A career at Whole Foods Market is more than just the work you do- it's about your personal growth and creating meaningful change. Our purpose is to nourish people and the planet. That means improving how people eat, funding grants for school gardens, providing access to fresh and healthy food to people living within food deserts, alleviating poverty in developing countries, and so much more. Working with us means you are making a difference within your community and beyond. We aren't just a grocery store: we're world-changers. And with your help, we will continue to set the standards of excellence and revolutionize the grocery industry.
Job Responsibilities
Develops and maintains creative store layout and product merchandising.
Works with Team Leader to achieve sales, purchasing, and labor targets.
Assists Team Leader in analysis of sales, reports and labor.
Demonstrates advanced product knowledge and develops / maintains awareness of new products.
Maintains good vendor relationships, develops new vendor relations, and ensures all paperwork is properly submitted for vendor processing.
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.
Provides timely, thorough, and thoughtful performance evaluations.
Consistently communicates and models WFM vision and goals.
Job Skills
High energy, enthusiastic, and displays an affinity for our products, core values, and company philosophy.
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.
Product knowledge.
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
- 18+ months retail Team Member experience and 6+ months of supervisory experience
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
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.
The wage range for this position is $21.55-$35.00 Hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits". Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for Full and Part-Time Team Members, including eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person’s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal). Click here for benefit details.At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
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.
See All 276+ Produce Associate Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Produce Associate JobsProduce Associate Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Food Lion173
- Hannaford41
- Weis Markets33
- Whole Foods Market15
- Eataly3
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in produce associate jobs.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly during a shift
- Experience with FIFO product rotation and date-code compliance
- Food handler certification or willingness to obtain one before start date
- Familiarity with cooler and refrigerated storage temperature standards
- Basic inventory counting and stock replenishment experience
- Flexible availability including early mornings, weekends, and holidays
Tips for Your Produce Associate Job Search
Tailor your resume to perishables
Highlight hands-on experience with product rotation, shrink reduction, and temperature-controlled storage. Hiring managers in grocery and distribution scan for these specifics fast, so put them above a generic skills section rather than burying them at the bottom.
Get your food handler certification first
Many produce associate postings require a food handler card before day one. Completing your local health department certification before you apply removes a common screening hurdle and signals you're ready to work without additional onboarding delays.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists produce associate openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your shift availability
Produce departments often staff early-morning stocking and overnight receiving shifts that go unfilled. If you're available during those windows, say so explicitly in your application. Candidates who match hard-to-fill shifts move faster through screening than those who don't address availability.
Prepare to describe your shrink control results
Interviewers for produce roles commonly ask how you've handled overripe or damaged product. Have a specific example ready that shows you followed department rotation standards, flagged waste appropriately, and kept loss within acceptable thresholds.
Follow up after a produce department application
Grocery and distribution hiring moves quickly and openings fill without formal rejection notices. Calling or visiting the department manager two to three days after submitting your application keeps your name in front of the person making the hire.
Produce Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most produce associates?
The most active employers for produce associates right now are Food Lion, Hannaford, and Weis Markets, and the most openings are in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Volume shifts seasonally, so checking current listings gives you the most accurate picture of where demand is highest.
How many produce associate jobs are remote?
About 13% of produce associate openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the role involves physical handling of perishable goods on a sales floor or in a distribution facility. Administrative or buying-support functions within produce departments are the sub-areas most likely to offer any remote flexibility.
How do you become a produce associate?
Start by completing a food handler certification through your county or state health department, since most employers require it before you begin. Build hands-on familiarity with product rotation and cooler storage by volunteering for stocking shifts in any retail or food service role you currently hold. Apply to entry-level openings that list on-the-job training, and be specific in your application about any experience with perishables, weight requirements, or early-morning availability.
Can you get hired as a produce associate with no experience?
Yes, many produce associate roles are explicitly entry-level and provide full on-the-job training in rotation standards and department procedures. Employers prioritize reliability and physical availability over prior produce-specific experience. Completing a food handler card before you apply, demonstrating flexible shift availability, and showing any background that involved physical labor or time-sensitive work, such as food service, stocking, or warehouse work, strengthens your candidacy significantly.
What does the produce associate interview process look like?
Most produce associate interviews are one or two rounds and move quickly, often wrapping within a week of application. A department manager or store lead will ask about your availability, your physical capacity to meet lifting requirements, and how you've handled perishable or time-sensitive product in past roles. Some employers conduct a brief walk-through of the department to assess your comfort in a cooler environment before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to produce associate jobs?
You can find and apply to produce associate jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your availability, location, and experience level, then apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 276+ Produce Associate Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Produce Associate Jobs