What Does a Publix Produce Clerk Do?

Publix is a grocery store chain with locations throughout the southeastern United States. Publix is known for its excellent customer service and wide selection of products.

A Produce Clerk at Publix is responsible for stocking and maintaining the produce department. This includes stocking shelves with fresh fruits and vegetables, rotating stock to ensure freshness, and helping customers find the items they need. Produce Clerks must also ensure that the department is clean and organized, and that all safety and sanitation guidelines are followed.

Publix Produce Clerk Job Duties

A Publix Produce Clerk typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Greet customers in a friendly and professional manner, providing assistance as needed
• Stock shelves with fresh produce, ensuring that all items are properly labeled and priced
• Rotate stock to ensure the freshest product is available for sale
• Maintain cleanliness of work area, including sweeping, mopping, and wiping down surfaces
• Monitor inventory levels and order new products when necessary
• Assist customers with selecting produce, answering questions about quality, ripeness, and other related topics
• Prepare special orders for customers, such as pre-cut fruits and vegetables
• Receive deliveries from vendors, verifying accuracy of shipments and inspecting for quality
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, following proper food handling procedures
• Process returns and refunds according to company policy
• Participate in promotional activities, such as sampling events and store displays
• Train new employees on departmental policies and procedures

Publix Produce Clerk Salary

The salary for a Produce Clerk at Publix is determined by a variety of factors. These include the experience of the individual, the location of the store, the size of the store, the hours worked, and the type of duties performed. Additionally, the company may offer incentives or bonuses for performance or longevity. Ultimately, the salary for a Produce Clerk at Publix is determined by the company’s policies and the individual’s qualifications.

• Median Annual Salary: $35,400 ($17.02/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $44,940 ($21.61/hour)

Publix Produce Clerk Job Requirements

To be hired as a Produce Clerk at Publix, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in a grocery store or retail setting is preferred, but not required. Applicants must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods of time. They must also be able to work in a fast-paced environment and have excellent customer service skills. Additionally, applicants must be able to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends. Publix also requires applicants to pass a background check and drug test.

Publix Produce Clerk Skills

Publix Produce Clerk employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Product Knowledge: Produce clerks should have extensive knowledge of the produce section of a grocery store. They should be able to answer questions about the origin of produce, how to store it and how to prepare it. They should also be able to identify produce that is past its prime and should be able to direct customers to the right produce.

Produce Handling: Produce handling is the ability to handle and stock produce items in the store. This includes knowing the proper way to handle the produce to ensure it doesn’t get damaged. It also includes knowing the proper way to stock the produce so it’s easy for customers to find. This is an important skill for produce clerks to have because it ensures the store has properly stocked produce and it keeps the produce fresh.

Attention to Detail: Produce clerks must be able to accurately record the prices of produce items and ensure that the correct amount of change is returned to customers. Attention to detail is also important when checking for freshness and quality of produce. For example, if a customer is looking for a specific type of lettuce, the produce clerk must be able to identify the correct lettuce and ensure that it’s fresh.

Cleanliness: Produce clerks should be familiar with cleaning and sanitizing equipment and tools. They should also be familiar with cleaning and maintaining the produce section of the store. This is important to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees.

Safety & Sanitation: Produce clerks must follow all safety and sanitation regulations when handling food. This includes wearing gloves and aprons, keeping work areas clean and following proper food handling procedures. Safety and sanitation is an important part of any job, and it’s especially important in food service.

Publix Produce Clerk Work Environment

Publix produce clerks typically work in a grocery store environment, stocking shelves with fresh produce and helping customers select the best fruits and vegetables. They may also be responsible for cleaning and organizing the produce section, rotating stock, and ensuring that the produce is fresh and of the highest quality. Publix produce clerks typically work a 40-hour week, although they may be required to work additional hours during peak times such as holidays. They may also be required to work nights and weekends. The work environment is usually fast-paced and can be stressful at times, as clerks must be able to work quickly and efficiently to keep up with customer demand.

Publix Produce Clerk Trends

Here are three trends influencing how Publix Produce Clerk employees work.

Local and Organic Foods

As consumers become more aware of the environmental and health benefits of local and organic foods, Publix produce clerks are seeing an increase in demand for these products. Local and organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, which can be harmful to both people and the environment. Additionally, buying locally supports small businesses and farmers in the community.

Publix produce clerks must stay up-to-date on the latest trends in local and organic foods. They need to know where to source these items, how to properly store them, and how to answer customer questions about their origin and nutritional value. Understanding this emerging trend is important for the future of work as it will help ensure that customers have access to healthy, sustainable food options.

Fresh Prepared Foods

Fresh prepared foods are becoming increasingly popular in grocery stores, and Publix produce clerks need to be aware of this trend. Prepared food options provide customers with convenience and variety, while also allowing them to save time on meal preparation.

Publix produce clerks should understand the importance of freshness when it comes to prepared foods. Customers expect high-quality ingredients that have been handled properly and stored at the right temperature. Produce clerks must ensure that all products meet these standards before they are sold. Additionally, they should be knowledgeable about the different types of prepared foods available so they can answer customer questions and make recommendations.

Specialty Produce

Specialty produce is becoming increasingly popular in grocery stores, and Publix Produce Clerks need to be aware of this trend. Specialty produce includes items such as heirloom tomatoes, exotic fruits, and microgreens. These items are often more expensive than traditional produce, but they offer unique flavors and textures that customers may be looking for.

Publix Produce Clerks should also be familiar with the different types of specialty produce available so they can answer customer questions and provide advice on how to prepare them. Additionally, they should be able to identify when a product has gone bad or needs to be replaced due to spoilage. Understanding the emerging trend of specialty produce will help Publix Produce Clerks stay ahead of the competition and ensure their customers have access to the freshest and most interesting produce options.

Advancement Prospects

Publix produce clerks may be able to advance their careers by taking on additional responsibilities. For example, they may be able to become a produce manager, responsible for ordering and stocking produce, managing inventory, and overseeing other produce clerks. They may also be able to move up to a higher-level position in the store, such as a department manager or assistant store manager. With experience, they may even be able to move up to a store manager position.

Interview Questions

Here are five common Publix Produce Clerk interview questions and answers.

1. Have you worked in the grocery industry before? If so, where?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience and background. If you haven’t worked in a grocery store before, consider sharing an example of another retail or customer service job that is similar to working as a produce clerk at Publix.

Example: “I have worked in the grocery industry for five years now. I started out as a cashier at my local supermarket chain where I learned how to interact with customers and use the register system. After two years there, I moved up to become a sales associate where I helped customers find items on the shelves and assisted them with their shopping needs.”

2. Why are you interested in working at Publix?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your intentions for applying to their company. Publix is a large grocery store chain that offers many benefits, so it’s important to show you’re genuinely interested in working there. When answering this question, consider what attracted you to the job listing and highlight any specific details that made you want to apply.

Example: “I’m very passionate about fresh produce, and I’ve heard great things about Publix as a company. I love how much care goes into each product they sell, and I think I would really enjoy working here. I also like that Publix has such a strong commitment to its employees, offering competitive wages and benefits.”

3. Are you familiar with any of our products or services?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with the company. It also helps them understand if you have any knowledge about their products and services that may be helpful to customers. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a few products or services that you are familiar with and why they’re important to the company.

Example: “I am very familiar with Publix’s produce department because I worked in one for three years. In my previous role, I was responsible for maintaining the quality of all produce on display. I would often recommend certain items to customers based on what they were looking for. For example, when someone asked me how to prepare broccoli, I would tell them about our recipe cards that we keep near each vegetable.”

4. Can you tell us a time when you had to work under pressure?

Working in a grocery store can be hectic at times, especially when there are long lines of customers waiting to check out. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working under pressure and how you react to it. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take to stay calm and focused during these situations.

Example: “I’ve worked in the grocery industry for five years now, so I’m used to working under pressure. However, I always try to remain calm and focus on my work. When I started working here, I had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find their favorite brand of cereal. I told them that we didn’t carry that brand anymore but offered to help them find something similar. They were happy with my response and left the store.”

5. What is one thing you are passionate about?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interests and passions. They want to know if you will be happy working at their company. When answering, think of something that is relevant to the job. If you are passionate about food, consider mentioning a specific dish or recipe. If you enjoy helping people, mention an experience where you helped someone in need.

Example: “I am passionate about cooking healthy meals for my family. I love finding new recipes and trying them out on my kids. My favorite thing to make is chicken parmesan because it’s so easy to make and everyone loves it. It makes me feel good when my kids eat well and have fun while they’re eating.”