Grocery / Food Stocker Associate - TEMP

We are seeking a dependable, detail-oriented, and customer-focused Grocery / Food Stocking Associate (“Food Department Store Support Associate”) to join our team at Tokyo Central, West Covina store. This position plays an important role in ensuring that our shelves are well-stocked, products are fresh and properly displayed, and customers enjoy a clean, organized, and welcoming shopping experience. Our Associates exemplify the company philosophy of "The Customer Matters Most".

The ideal candidate enjoys working in a fast-paced retail environment, takes pride in maintaining an organized store, and is willing to learn about Japanese groceries, snacks, beverages, specialty ingredients, household goods, and other products commonly found in Japanese markets.

The Associate will be responsible for receiving and organizing merchandise, replenishing shelves, rotating inventory, monitoring product dates, maintaining accurate product displays, and assisting customers with locating items. This role requires teamwork, attention to detail, physical stamina, and a positive attitude toward customer service.

Prior grocery or retail experience is preferred but not required. We welcome candidates who are motivated to learn, reliable, team-focused, have a friendly attitude, and interested in Japanese food and culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Stocking and Merchandise Organization

• Receive, unload, sort, and organize incoming merchandise and deliveries.
• Replenish shelves, coolers, freezers, and designated product displays as needed.
• Maintain attractive, orderly, and fully stocked shelves throughout the store.
• Ensure products are placed in the correct locations with labels and packaging facing forward.
• Follow shelf layouts, product placement guidelines, and merchandising standards.
• Identify low-stock items and communicate replenishment needs to the supervisor.
• Assist with seasonal displays, promotional merchandise, and new product setups.

2. Inventory Control and Product Freshness

• Check expiration dates, best-before dates, packaging conditions, and product quality while replenishing shelves.
• Rotate inventory using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to help maintain freshness and minimize waste.
• Identify damaged, expired, leaking, or otherwise unsellable merchandise and report it promptly.
• Follow proper procedures for handling refrigerated, frozen, and temperature-sensitive products.
• Assist with inventory counts, stock checks, and discrepancy reporting.
• Keep backroom storage areas organized and ensure merchandise is stored safely.
• Follow applicable food safety, sanitation, and store handling procedures.

3. Customer Service

• Greet customers courteously and assist them in locating products throughout the store.
• Answer basic questions about product locations, prices, promotions, and availability.
• Develop familiarity with Japanese groceries, including rice, noodles, sauces, seasonings, snacks, beverages, frozen foods, and specialty ingredients.
• Refer detailed questions about ingredients, allergens, preparation, or product suitability to a knowledgeable team member when necessary.
• Maintain a friendly, approachable, and professional attitude.
• Help create a welcoming shopping environment for customers with different backgrounds and levels of familiarity with Japanese products.

4. Store Cleanliness and Safety

• Keep shelves, aisles, displays, storage areas, and workspaces clean and organized.
• Remove empty cartons, packaging materials, and other debris promptly.
• Break down and dispose of cardboard and recyclable materials according to store procedures.
• Keep aisles, exits, and emergency equipment accessible and free of obstructions.
• Use ladders, carts, pallet jacks, and other equipment safely when trained and authorized.
• Report spills, damaged equipment, safety hazards, and other concerns immediately.
• Follow company policies, workplace safety requirements, and applicable food handling standards.

5. Teamwork and Daily Operations

• Work and communicate collaboratively with store associates, cashiers, department staff, and management.
• Complete assigned stocking, cleaning, and merchandising tasks within established timeframes.
• Follow instructions, store policies, and daily operational priorities.
• Communicate product shortages, customer concerns, and operational issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Assist with other reasonable store duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Able to read, write, and do simple math problems. Ability to learn store and department policies and operational procedures.
• Must be 18 years or older to use sharp knives and cutters, use ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes above 6 feet in height, and to operate or assist in operating power-driven machinery or equipment.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work well as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret, understand, and follow instructions.
• Positive attitude and willingness to assist customers in a friendly, courteous, prompt manner
• Ability to effectively communicate and respond to questions from the general public and management
• Ability to work in a retail environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to maintain an organized and clean work area.
• Willingness to learn about Japanese grocery products and store procedures.
• Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
• • Stand/walk constantly, walk and move rapidly, bend, stoop, twist and turn frequently
  • Use step-ladders
  • Lift 25-50 pounds unaided
  • Work in extreme temperatures inside the walk-in freezer for extended time
  • Frequently reach, lift, stack and maneuver objects of varying dimensions
  • Push and pull fully loaded hand trucks.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent preferred
• Previous experience in grocery, supermarket, retail, warehouse, or merchandising operations.
• Familiarity with Japanese food products, ingredients, snacks, and beverages.
• Experience with inventory rotation, shelf replenishment, or product displays.
• Basic computer or inventory system experience.
• Additional language skills, including Japanese or other languages commonly spoken by our customers, are a plus but are not required.

PHYSICAL AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This position involves standing and walking for extended periods, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, and moving merchandise throughout the workday. Associates may work in ambient-temperature aisles as well as refrigerated and freezer areas.

The ability to lift and move merchandise weighing up 30 pounds is required, with reasonable accommodation where applicable. Associates must follow safe lifting practices and use available equipment as directed.

Work schedules may include weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and other shifts based on business needs.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A supportive and team-oriented work environment.
• Opportunities to learn about Japanese food products and specialty groceries.
• On-the-job training and development.
• Opportunities for additional responsibilities and advancement based on performance and business needs.
• 10-20% off Employee Discount at all Tokyo Central locations for you and your family
• Tokyo Central store gift certificates – for qualified employees
• Health Care Benefits – Including medical, dental, vision, life and 401k (after 1 year) with employer contributions – for qualified employees

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

A successful Stocking Associate takes pride in ensuring that customers can easily find the products they need. Success means maintaining well-organized shelves, rotating inventory properly, minimizing product damage and waste, keeping the store clean and safe, and providing helpful customer service.

We value team members who demonstrate reliability, initiative, respect, and a willingness to learn. A genuine interest in Japanese groceries and an appreciation for serving a diverse customer community are welcome.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Marukai Tokyo Central is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. Employment decisions are made without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable requirements.