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Produce Associate Jobs in Santa Maria, CA (NOW HIRING)

Walmart

Meat/Produce Team Associate

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$17 - $30/hr

Mid-Shift, Closing Location Neighborhood Market #5659 500 S BLOSSER RD, SANTA MARIA, CA, 93458, US Job Overview Meat / Produce associates are focused on keeping the Fresh area fully stocked. They ...

Walmart

Meat/Produce Team Associate

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$17 - $30/hr

Mid-Shift, Closing Location Neighborhood Market #5658 2240 S BRADLEY RD, SANTA MARIA, CA, 93455, US Job Overview Meat / Produce associates are focused on keeping the Fresh area fully stocked. They ...

Produce Careers

Payroll Supervisor

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related ... Experience supporting agricultural, farming, ranching, produce packing, food processing, or ...

Hibbett Retail, Inc.

Sales Associate

Santa Maria, CA

$16.50 - $19.80/hr

Sales Associate Department: Operations FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports To: Store Manager SUMMARY ... Produce and give extraordinary customer service highlighted in the customer service manual ...

Instant Cellular

Sales Associate

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$18/hr

We're now hiring Sales Associates to help us keep growing. If you're excited to be part of a ... producers earning much more! Earnings potential increase with tenure, experience and driven ...

Instant Cellular

Sales Associate

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$18/hr

We're now hiring Sales Associates to help us keep growing. If you're excited to be part of a ... producers earning much more! Earnings potential increase with tenure, experience and driven ...

Instant Cellular

Sales Associate

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$18/hr

We're now hiring Sales Associates to help us keep growing. If you're excited to be part of a ... producers earning much more! Earnings potential increase with tenure, experience and driven ...

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Produce Associate information

See Santa Maria, CA salary details

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How much do produce associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for produce associate in Santa Maria, CA is $16.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.29 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a produce associate?

A produce associate sets up produce displays in a grocery store. As a produce associate, one of your primary duties is to provide customer service to all patrons by helping them to pick out or find specific types of produce. Your other responsibilities include arranging fruits and vegetables neatly, maintaining a clean workplace, and tracking inventory. Qualifications for the job include a familiarity with the produce in the area and customer service experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a produce associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Produce Associate, you need a good understanding of produce handling, basic food safety knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory tracking tools, and safety certifications like food handler permits are typically required. Strong customer service, attention to detail, and communication skills help you excel in assisting shoppers and maintaining product quality. These skills ensure a safe, appealing produce section and a positive shopping experience for customers.

What are some common challenges a produce associate faces and how can they be successfully managed?

Produce Associates often face challenges such as maintaining the freshness of fruits and vegetables, managing inventory to reduce waste, and ensuring appealing displays. To succeed, it's important to regularly rotate stock, promptly remove spoiled items, and follow proper storage guidelines. Collaborating with team members and staying attentive to customer needs also helps maintain high standards and a positive shopping experience.

What is the difference between Produce Associate vs Grocery Clerk?

AspectProduce Associate

AspectGrocery Clerk

Produce Associates primarily focus on handling fresh fruits and vegetables, maintaining produce displays, and ensuring freshness. Grocery Clerks handle a broader range of products, including canned goods, snacks, and household items, often working across different store sections. Both roles require customer service skills and may need basic certifications like food safety training. While Produce Associates specialize in produce, Grocery Clerks have a wider product scope. Both are common in grocery stores, but Produce Associates are more specialized in fresh produce management.

What are the responsibilities of a produce associate?

A produce associate is responsible for stocking, organizing, and maintaining fresh fruits and vegetables in the store. They ensure produce is fresh, properly labeled, and appealing to customers, often using tools like price scanners and following safety standards. The role may also include assisting customers and rotating stock to prevent spoilage.
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What cities near Santa Maria, CA are hiring for Produce Associate jobs?

Cities near Santa Maria, CA with the most Produce Associate job openings:

Produce Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Produce Associate job openings in Santa Maria, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,335 per year, or $17 per hour.

Produce Department Associate

California Fresh Market - Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach, CA • On-site

$17 - $19.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Description

A Produce Associate's job is to select, price, display, and promote fresh produce. A Produce Associate is also tasked with ensuring department cleanliness, price integrity, quality control, training, merchandising, and receiving.


Receiving:

Check the load against the invoice for proper billing. Report overages and shortages to suppliers. Inspect all products for quality and condition. Identify products that are not acceptable, report to the supplier and request credit. Put load away in designated storage area, while maintaining proper rotation and cleanliness. Code date all product to assist in proper rotation.


Department Maintenance:

Coordinate storage of items to be returned to suppliers. See that unsellable items are properly disposed of. Keep accurate shrinkage logs. Ensure that produce shelves, displays, aisles, prep & storage areas are in clean, orderly conditions, meeting all health department standards. Ensure trash is removed; sales floor and prep areas are swept and mopped daily. Perform daily cooler & sales floor temperature checks. Ensure freshness and quality through rotation of product throughout the department. Maintain a cleaning log for the sales floor and produce retail area. Have items marked down as needed to reduce losses. Perform equipment checks to ensure department equipment is in working order.


Merchandising: 

Plan attractive produce displays, using color and texture to enhance. Ensure displays are replenished, rotated, culled daily. Price produce to achieve margin and sales goals, while maintaining a competitive image. Ensure building and maintaining of in-store displays, according to established standards for appearance, variety and ease of shopping and stocking. Stock items as needed. Ensure accurate, up-to-date uniform department signs.


Customer Service: 

Assist customers produce questions in prompt friendly manner. Assist customers with special orders and oversee special orders system in the department to ensure customers receive their orders. Respond to produce department customer suggestions, comments & complaints in a reasonable manner. Always make our customers know that they are important and special, assist in any other department as needed. Answer & route phone calls.


Other Responsibilities: 

Perform other tasks assigned by management. Assist other customers in all departments, in prompt friendly courteous manger, referring them to other staff when necessary. Plan & participate in department inventories according to established policy. Maintain department logs, cleaning schedules, safety materials, and inventory documents.

Requirements

At least 1+ years of experience in retail produce

Knowledge of organic and commercial growing practices

Knowledge of current trends in conventional & organic foods industry

Demonstrates the ability to handle multiple demands

Communications skills - clear directions, good listener

Experience serving the public

Ability to project friendly, outgoing personality

Ability to lift heavy boxes frequently up to 40 pounds and occasionally buddy lift to 75 pounds

Ability to stand for long periods

Ability to work in cold, wet conditions

Prolonged standing, walking, squatting, and/or bending

Repetitive use - hand to finger motions, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms

Must be able to adjust vision to both day and night lighting and be able to focus on distant and close-range projects

Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff

Ability to read and interpret documents such as department manuals and reports

Ability to prioritize work tasks, multi-task, and maintain focus

Willingness to work weekends

Regular, predictable attendance

Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job

Travel may be required

Evening/night work may be required

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