Frozen Food Clerk

🎯 Role Definition

As a Frozen Food Clerk, you are the backbone of one of the busiest departments in the store. Your primary mission is to maintain the quality, presentation, and availability of all products within the frozen food section. This involves everything from receiving shipments and stocking cases to ensuring temperature integrity and assisting customers with their selections. You will play a crucial role in driving sales and ensuring a positive shopping experience by keeping the department clean, well-organized, and fully stocked with a wide variety of frozen goods.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Bagger / Courtesy Clerk
Cart Attendant
General Stock Clerk

Advancement To:

Frozen Food Lead / Department Head
Assistant Grocery Manager
Store Management Trainee

Lateral Moves:

Produce Clerk
Dairy Clerk
Receiving Clerk

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Diligently unload trucks and break down pallets of incoming frozen merchandise, carefully organizing products for efficient stocking in the backroom freezer and on the sales floor.
Execute precise stocking of all frozen food cases, ensuring products are placed in their designated locations according to planograms and store standards.
Implement the First In, First Out (FIFO) rotation method for all products to guarantee freshness, minimize waste, and ensure customers receive the highest quality items.
Proactively monitor product levels on the sales floor throughout your shift, replenishing items as needed to maintain full and visually appealing displays.
Maintain impeccable cleanliness and sanitation standards within the department, including cleaning freezer cases, glass doors, shelves, and sweeping/mopping department floors.
Regularly conduct temperature checks of all freezers and cold storage units, meticulously logging the data to ensure compliance with food safety protocols and equipment functionality.
Provide exceptional and friendly customer service by proactively greeting shoppers, answering questions about product location, and offering recommendations or assistance.
Skillfully build and maintain creative and eye-catching promotional displays for sales, seasonal items, and new products to drive customer interest and boost sales.
Perform quality control checks by identifying and removing any damaged, expired, or sub-standard products from the sales floor and backstock, following proper disposal procedures.
Manage and organize backstock inventory within the walk-in freezer, ensuring it is neat, accessible, and properly rotated for easy access and future stocking.
Safely and efficiently operate material handling equipment, including manual and electric pallet jacks, hand trucks, and u-boats, to transport products from receiving to the sales floor.
Accurately apply price tags, shelf labels, and promotional signage, performing price changes as directed to ensure pricing integrity for all items in the department.
Assist in the inventory management process by participating in cycle counts and full department inventories to maintain accurate stock records.
Handle customer returns and "go-backs" for the frozen department promptly, inspecting items for quality before returning them to the sales floor.
Communicate effectively with the Department Manager regarding stock levels, out-of-stocks, slow-moving items, and any customer requests for new products.
Adhere strictly to all company safety policies and food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP) to create a safe environment for both employees and customers.
Report any equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or maintenance needs, such as a freezer door not sealing properly, to store management immediately.
Condition the department by "facing" all products, pulling them forward to the edge of the shelf to create a full, neat, and uniform appearance for shoppers.
Assist in the product ordering process by providing insights on product movement and identifying items that need to be replenished based on sales velocity.
Collaborate with team members from other departments to provide support during peak hours or for special projects, fostering a cohesive and helpful store environment.
Break down cardboard boxes and operate the baler/compactor according to safety guidelines to manage waste and maintain a clean backroom.
Gain comprehensive product knowledge to confidently speak to different brands, dietary options (e.g., gluten-free, vegan), and cooking instructions for various frozen items.

Secondary Functions

Assist in training new team members on department procedures, stocking techniques, and customer service standards.
Participate in store-wide cleaning and maintenance tasks as assigned by the store leadership team.
Support front-end operations by bagging groceries or retrieving carts during high-traffic periods, demonstrating a "one team" mentality.
Contribute ideas for improving department efficiency, organization, or sales during team meetings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Inventory Rotation (FIFO): Proven ability to manage stock to ensure freshness and reduce spoilage.
Material Handling Equipment Operation: Experience safely using pallet jacks, hand trucks, and u-boats.
Food Safety Knowledge: Understanding of proper food handling, temperature controls, and sanitation standards.
Basic Math & Numeracy: Competence in counting, addition, and subtraction for inventory and order verification.
Planogram Execution: Ability to read and follow shelf schematics to ensure product placement accuracy.
Scanning & Pricing Systems: Familiarity with using scan guns and pricing tools for inventory and labeling.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Attention to Detail: Meticulous in stocking, cleaning, and quality control to maintain high department standards.
Time Management & Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment, from stocking to customer assistance.
Physical Stamina & Strength: Capable of frequent lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, standing for long periods, and working in cold temperatures.
Proactive Customer Service: A friendly, approachable demeanor with a genuine desire to help customers and enhance their shopping experience.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Works well with others to achieve common goals and is willing to assist in other areas when needed.
Reliability & Punctuality: Demonstrates a strong work ethic with consistent attendance and on-time arrival.
Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing priorities, such as handling a large, unexpected delivery or assisting with a customer rush.
Problem-Solving: Can identify issues like a pricing error or a low-stock item and take the appropriate steps to resolve it.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years. No prior experience is required as we provide comprehensive on-the-job training.

Preferred: 6+ months of experience in a retail, grocery, warehouse, or food service environment. Previous stocking or inventory experience is a significant plus.