Retailers looking to better support and equip their produce managers have a new resource to explore.
The “State of the Produce Manager” report was researched and created by industry consultant Ashley Nickle, according to a news release. Based on a survey of more than 200 produce managers, the report delves into questions including:
- How much leeway they have to make decisions for their department.
- Whether they believe they have the necessary resources to serve customers well.
- In which areas they want more education or training.
- How they feel about their work.
- What they know and want to know about the career path opportunities available to them.
Developed with input from industry-leading produce directors, the survey and report were designed by Nickle to help retailers better understand the state of the produce manager and to zero in on opportunities to boost recruitment, retention and performance for this critical role, according to the release.
The research revealed several correlations that merit exploration, the release said, including higher job satisfaction among:
- Produce managers with at least some leeway to make decisions for their department.
- Produce managers with at least some understanding of career path opportunities with their organization.
The survey results also indicated a significant appetite for additional training and education among not only newer produce managers but veterans as well, the release said.
“Our goal with this report is to kickstart conversations within individual organizations about what the next level of engagement with and empowerment of produce managers looks like for them,” Nickle said in the release. “The upside here is enormous.”
Retailers interested in accessing the complimentary report can email Nickle or reach her on LinkedIn. She will also share the survey questions with retailers looking to replicate this research with their own teams, according to the release.
Nickle, who is also the founder and host of “The Produce Retail Podcast,” will also dive more deeply into findings from the report in a series of episodes that include discussions with industry members and outside experts to provide more insight on topics including career pathing, leadership, leeway and more.
“From my early days in the industry, the produce executives I learned from always emphasized the importance of the produce manager, and I’ve never forgotten that,” Nickle said. “The produce managers I’ve been fortunate to meet over the years are some of the most resourceful, hard-working, enthusiastic people I know, and I’m confident that investments made in them are ones that will yield remarkable returns. I can’t wait to hear what retailers are doing now and are doing next to continue empowering these professionals.”
