Produce Manager
Company : Natural Grocers
Location : Santa Fe, NM, 87505
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 2 January 2026
Salary Range
USD $21.00/Hr. -Overview
The Job in a Nutshell:
The Produce Manager is responsible for the successful operation and profitability of the produce department which includes training, directing and monitoring all department staff. Department Managers are responsible for the success of their own department and are required to fulfill the duties of the Manager on Duty (MOD) on a scheduled basis.
Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.
12/08/2025
Responsibilities
Main Ingredients:
Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.
Qualifications
Recipe for Success:
This job description is not an employment contract. It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities. The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice. Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to them by their Manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.
Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:
All Crew Members
- Birthday Bonus Pay
- Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually)
- Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
- Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure
- Paid Nutrition Education
- good4u Crew Member Discount
- {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program)
- Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases
- Advancement Opportunities and Career Development
- Health and Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Referral Program
Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance)
- Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance
- Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
Diversity Statement
At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.
At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.
Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands:
N = Never
O = Occasional; 1-33% of time
F = Frequent; 34-66% of time
C = Constant; 67-100% of time
Physical Requirements:
- Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
- Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
- Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
- Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
- Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
- Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.
Environmental Requirements:
- Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
- Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Fe's unique climate and local preferences impact produce availability and customer demand. Produce managers must adapt ordering and inventory strategies to ensure freshness while catering to regional tastes, which differs considerably from produce management in other U.S. cities with different growing seasons and consumer behaviors.
Food safety certifications, including state-mandated food handler permits, are crucial in New Mexico. Additionally, forklift certification and organic produce handling credentials enhance credibility, reflecting compliance with local health regulations and the region’s emphasis on organic produce.
Produce Managers excel in combining inventory control with fresh product presentation, requiring a keen eye for quality and shrink reduction. Leadership in a produce setting also demands expertise in organic product sourcing and customer education on nutritional benefits, differentiating this role from other retail management positions.
Opportunities often progress towards broader store management roles, specialty procurement, or regional produce coordination. Experience leading produce departments at natural foods retailers can pave the way for roles focusing on sustainable sourcing or corporate category management, reflecting growing industry demand for organic expertise.
Weekend shifts involve balancing restocking while maintaining impeccable produce displays, managing staff rotations, and handling higher customer engagement. The Produce Manager also troubleshoots inventory discrepancies and ensures smooth checkout operations, all while upholding freshness standards amid increased foot traffic.
Natural Grocers emphasizes wellness-focused perks like paid nutrition education and vitamin bucks for store credit, fostering a health-conscious work environment. Combined with flexible paid time off and career advancement programs, these benefits target employees passionate about natural and organic foods.
Produce Managers receive structured support through cross-training initiatives and collaboration with store leadership to address disciplinary actions. This approach ensures continuous staff growth while maintaining department standards, reflecting the company’s commitment to nurturing a knowledgeable and accountable produce team.
The pay rate starts at approximately $21.00 per hour, aligning with regional market rates for produce management roles in grocery settings. This wage reflects both the specialized skill set required and the cost of living in Santa Fe, offering competitive compensation for this sector.
Santa Fe shows moderate demand for skilled produce supervisors, with natural foods stores like Natural Grocers favoring candidates who combine produce expertise with leadership experience. Competition exists but is balanced by opportunities in the growing organic retail niche within the region.
Ensuring a consistent supply of certified organic items can be complex due to seasonal fluctuations and supplier limitations. The manager must skillfully balance inventory levels to minimize shrink while meeting customer expectations for freshness and organic standards, critical in maintaining the store’s brand promise.