How to hire a Produce Clerk

How to hire a produce clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step produce clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a produce clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new produce clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Produce Clerk do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The produce clerk hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A produce clerk's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, produce clerks from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of produce clerk salaries for various roles:

   Type Of Produce Clerk	Description	Hourly Rate
   Produce Clerk	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$12-17
   Merchandiser	Merchandisers are employees working for a retail company. Merchandisers are mainly responsible for the store's products... Show More	$11-18
   Overnight Stocker	An overnight stocker is responsible for monitoring inventories, stocking items, and organizing products on shelves. Overnight stockers' duties also include checking the manufacturing and expiration dates of the products, labeling and validating prices, escalating defective items to the management, and categorizing products for special offers and promotions... Show More	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Product Knowledge
   • Math
   • Sales Floor
   • Basic Math
   • Food Handling
   • Cleanliness
   • Good Communication
   • Pallet Jack
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Product Quality
   • Food Safety
   • Display Cases
   • Excellent Time Management
   • Food Preparation

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train in customer service functions, camera and video monitoring, and POS systems checkout.
   • Work in fast pace environment while providing customer service and creating excellent product detail while maintaining cleanliness of department.
   • Handle and order inventory, as well as utilized FIFO strategies.
   • Operate meat and cheese slicers, oven, cutting tools, scales and other deli equipment.
   • Unload trucks and store all products in designate coolers and storage areas using the FIFO method.
   • Maintain cleanliness of the produce storeroom by routinely cleaning and sanitizing surfaces according to health code regulations.

   More Produce Clerk duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your produce clerk job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A produce clerk salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, produce clerks' average salary in florida is 28% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level produce clerks earn 30% less than senior-level produce clerks.
   • Certifications. A produce clerk with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a produce clerk's salary.

   Average produce clerk salary

   $15.30hourly

   $31,822 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level produce clerk salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated March 26, 2025

   Average produce clerk salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	California	$37,442	$18
   2	Massachusetts	$35,106	$17
   3	Maine	$33,844	$16
   4	North Dakota	$33,238	$16
   5	Wisconsin	$33,154	$16
   6	Minnesota	$32,405	$16
   7	Pennsylvania	$32,157	$15
   8	Washington	$31,873	$15
   9	Oregon	$31,813	$15
   10	Arizona	$31,286	$15
   11	Indiana	$31,242	$15
   12	Michigan	$31,070	$15
   13	Colorado	$30,901	$15
   14	Missouri	$30,594	$15
   15	Kansas	$30,309	$15
   16	Nebraska	$30,226	$15
   17	New Mexico	$29,493	$14
   18	North Carolina	$28,988	$14
   19	Texas	$28,783	$14
   20	Tennessee	$28,474	$14

   Average produce clerk salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	United Natural Foods	$34,223	$16.45	21
   2	Bristol Farms	$33,047	$15.89	11
   3	Kroger	$32,302	$15.53	4,015
   4	ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.	$32,215	$15.49
   5	Grocery Outlet	$32,162	$15.46	15
   6	Hy-Vee	$32,150	$15.46	609
   7	Nugget Markets	$32,071	$15.42	11
   8	Whole Foods Market	$32,067	$15.42	23
   9	PCC Community Markets	$32,062	$15.41	63
   10	Silver Lake	$32,035	$15.40
   11	Vallarta Supermarkets	$32,025	$15.40	17
   12	Albertsons	$31,987	$15.38	1
   13	Mollie Stone's Markets	$31,938	$15.35	18
   14	Arden Group	$31,889	$15.33
   15	Roche Bros. Supermarkets	$31,785	$15.28	36
   16	Cosentino	$31,748	$15.26	35
   17	Uwajimaya	$31,712	$15.25	4
   18	Earth Fare	$31,703	$15.24	22
   19	Bashas'	$31,698	$15.24	4
   20	Lunds & Byerlys	$31,662	$15.22	6

4. Writing a Produce Clerk Job Description

   A produce clerk job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a produce clerk job description:

   Produce Clerk job description example

   The Produce Clerk is responsible for keeping all store produce wet-rack and dry tables stocked and clean during business hours. They are required to assist customers as needed and maintain a friendly, energetic demeanor. This position requires adhering to all procedural guidelines set by the Produce Department. A Produce Clerk may be assigned the duties in the fresh juicing room.
   Essential Duties & Responsibilities · Ensures cleanliness of produce department, storage area, and work area for safety; includes cleaning of shelves and products, keeping floors free of liquid spills or water, removing hazardous debris from floor and sweeping. · Stocks produce department; includes presentation of product, facing, filling, and organization of all product items as set by the Produce Department schematics as well as ensuring tag and pricing accuracy. · Examines the rotation of all produce products paying particular attention to expired stock and discarding outdated or spoiled items. · Responds positively to customer’s inquiries and assists customers with purchases, information and product selection; requires selling and cross selling of products. · Receives, inspects, and logs products for accuracy of shipment, temperature, and quality. · Monitors the point of purchase signs; ensures a variety of recipe cards, product coupons, promotional material, and information on complimentary foods. · Requires operating and using equipment such as knives, scales, wrappers, compactors, garbage disposals, pallet jacks, and hand trucks. · Ensures all wet racks are stocked, clean, and maintain proper temperatures. · Participates in pre-inventory preparation; includes back stock and assuring tags match products. · Sustains a high level of product knowledge and product preparation. · Walks department regularly to ensure an organized, sanitary, and overall clean appearance at all times. · Juice Room – responsibilities include preparing produce for designated FTFM juice recipes, producing juice, labeling and appropriate rotation. · Other duties as assigned.
   Education and Experience · High school diploma or equivalency degree. · Preferred 1 -2 years grocery retail experience in Produce department processes and procedures. · Previous experience in a natural foods industry is a plus.
   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities · Must maintain the highest level of customer service at all times. · Ability to adapt to the ever changing high volume retail while working in a cross-functional team environment. · Must have the capacity to take initiative when problems arise. · Flexibility to adapt in a variety of situations. · Must have advanced attention to detail with the capability to prioritize and meet deadlines. · Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for dealing cross functionally with peers and senior management. · Ability to multitask and have excellent organizational skills is essential. · Must be able to support and contribute to team goals. · Ability to work varied hours/days as business dictates. · Must be familiar with Health Department guidelines and regulations as they pertain to a grocery retail environment. · Must have basic knowledge of math, weights, and measures. · Must have the ability to push and pull fully loaded hand trucks and use box cutters. · Must understand proper handling, preparation, seasonality, and appropriate shelf life of products.
   Job Function Analysis Physical Demands · Sit Rarely 1–2 hours · Stand Continuously 1–8 hours · Walk Continuously 2–8 hours · Drive Frequently 2-4 hours · Balance Frequently 34–66% · Bend Occasionally 1–33% · Climb (2–6 ft) Occasionally 1–33% · Crawl Occasionally 1–33% · Crouch/Squat Occasionally 1–33% · Kneel Occasionally 1–33% · Reach (forward & overhead) Frequently 34–66% · Twist (45 degrees at waist) Occasionally 1–33%
   Lifting/Carrying · 0–10 lbs. Occasionally 1–33% · 11–25 lbs. Occasionally 1–33% · 26–50 lbs. Occasionally 1–33% · 51–100 lbs. Never 0%
   Repetitive Motion Right & Left Grasping Frequently 34–66% Fine Manipulation Occasionally 1–33% Pushing and Pulling Occasionally 1–33% Lower extremities Never 0% Environmental Conditions: Some extreme temperatures are possible. Some ventilation and exhaust fans.
   
   REQUIREMENTS
   
   ABOUT THE COMPANY
   A mission we can all believe in! We have a simple mission at Fresh Thyme – to improve the way our communities eat by offering fresh and healthy food at great values. We call it real food at real affordable prices. We continue our commitment to offer more items that are fresh, organic and free from not-so-healthy ingredients – food you feel good about with no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors or flavors. We believe in meeting our customers wherever they are on their journey toward healthier eating and total wellness with a selection of products that accommodates all diets and food restrictions. While our assortment of better-for-you products is amazing, the most important thing we offer is an even more amazing shopping experience – brought to you by our friendly team members.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right produce clerk for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your produce clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit produce clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with produce clerk candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new produce clerk

   Once you've found the produce clerk candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new produce clerk. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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