The Seafood Department Associate is responsible for the daily operations of the seafood and fresh fish department at Tokyo Central. This position plays an important role in providing customers with fresh, high-quality sashimi and other seafood, excellent customer service, and an authentic Japanese grocery shopping experience.
The successful candidate will assist with daily production, follow established preparation procedures, maintain food safety and sanitation standards, and ensure that sashimi and other seafood items are prepared and presented in a timely manner.
The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a refrigerated, wet, and fast-paced environment. The associate will assist with fish and other seafood preparation, product display, inventory management, department cleanliness, and food safety procedures while maintaining the quality and freshness standards set by the company.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Seafood Handling and Preparation
- Prepare and package seafood for retail sale according to store standards, training, and applicable food safety requirements.
- Assist with cleaning, trimming, portioning, and cutting fish in accordance with company procedures.
- Handle a variety of seafood products, including whole fish, fillets, shellfish, shrimp, squid, and other seafood commonly sold in Japanese grocery stores.
- Maintain proper product temperatures and follow procedures for refrigeration, freezing, thawing, and product rotation.
- Identify and promptly report products that appear spoiled, damaged, improperly stored, or unsuitable for sale.
- Product Display, Inventory Control, and Product Freshness
- Set up and maintain attractive, organized, and properly stocked seafood displays.
- Replenish fresh fish, packaged seafood, and frozen seafood products throughout the day.
- Stock and rotate inventory using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to help maintain freshness and minimize waste.
- Check expiration dates, best-before dates, packaging conditions, and product quality.
- Ensure products are accurately priced, labeled, and displayed with required product and allergen information.
- Maintain appropriate ice levels, display temperatures, and presentation standards.
- Support seasonal promotions, seafood specials, and Japanese food-related merchandising activities.
- 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.
- Customer Service
- Greet customers and provide courteous, helpful, and professional service.
- Answer questions about seafood varieties, product availability, freshness, storage, and preparation methods within the associate's knowledge and training.
- Assist customers with product selection, weighing, packaging, and special requests.
- Communicate product information accurately, including origin, handling instructions, and available preparation options.
- Refer questions requiring specialized knowledge or authorization to the Department Lead.
- Help create a welcoming shopping environment that reflects the store's commitment to quality, service, and Japanese grocery traditions.
- Food Safety, Sanitation, and Workplace Safety
- Follow all applicable local health regulations and the store’s food safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene policies.
- Wash hands properly and use gloves, utensils, and protective equipment as required.
- Maintain clean and sanitary workstations, cutting surfaces, utensils, display cases, and equipment.
- Wash hands properly and use required gloves, protective equipment, and sanitation supplies.
- Prevent cross-contamination between raw seafood, other food products, and food-contact surfaces.
- Monitor and document product temperatures when assigned.
- Follow proper procedures for seafood waste disposal, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation schedules.
- Report food safety concerns, equipment malfunctions, spills, and unsafe conditions immediately.
- Teamwork and Daily Operations
- Assist with receiving, inspecting, sorting, weighing, labeling, organizing, and storing incoming merchandise and deliveries.
- Work and communicate collaboratively with other store associates, department staff, and management.
- Complete assigned preparation, 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.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Positive, team-oriented attitude.
- Dependability, punctuality, flexibility with assigned tasks and willingness to follow established procedures.
- 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, use ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes above 6 feet in height, and to operate or assist in operating power-driven machinery or equipment.
- Basic understanding of safe food handling and kitchen sanitation, or willingness to learn through training.
- Ability to work efficiently in a refrigerated cold and physically active environment.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, including food safety and sanitation procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers and be able to interpret, understand, and follow instructions.
- Willingness to learn seafood identification, product handling, merchandising, and department operations.
- Ability to maintain attention to detail when weighing, labeling, packaging, and rotating products.
- Ability to perform repetitive food preparation and packaging tasks while maintaining consistent standards.
- Ability to maintain an organized and clean work area.
- Compliance with California food handler training, certification, and food safety requirements (course provided by employer upon hire).
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in a seafood department, fish market, grocery store, supermarket, or food service environment.
- Familiarity with Japanese seafood products, fish varieties, shellfish, sashimi-grade product handling, or Japanese cooking ingredients.
- Experience with fish preparation, seafood packaging, retail displays, or inventory rotation.
- Knowledge of basic seafood storage, freshness indicators, and safe handling practices.
Physical and Work Environment Requirements
The Seafood Department Associate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
- Stand and walk for extended periods during scheduled shifts.
- Lift and carry merchandise, supplies, and seafood containers within established workplace safety limits.
- Bend, reach, and perform repetitive tasks as needed for stocking, production, packaging, and cleaning.
- Work in cold refrigerated and walk-in freezer areas around ice, water, and wet floors.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks involving food preparation, packaging, cleaning, and stocking.
- Safely use department tools and equipment after receiving appropriate training and authorization.
- Follow safe lifting procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver objects that are 25-50 pounds.
- Work scheduled weekends, holidays, early mornings, or other shifts as required by department operations.
Key Performance Expectations
Successful performance in this position will be evaluated based on the following:
- Product Quality and Freshness: Maintains seafood freshness, proper storage conditions, and accurate inventory rotation.
- Customer Service: Provides courteous, responsive service and handles customer requests professionally.
- Food Safety and Sanitation: Consistently follows temperature control, hygiene, cleaning, and food handling procedures.
- Department Presentation: Keeps displays stocked, organized, properly labeled, and visually appealing.
- Teamwork and Reliability: Arrives on time, communicates effectively, supports coworkers, and completes assigned tasks.
- Operational Efficiency: Helps reduce product waste, maintain accurate product information, and complete daily assignments on schedule.
Training and Development
The selected associate will receive training on store policies, seafood product identification, safe handling procedures, fish cutting and preparation, sanitation practices, merchandising standards, and department equipment. Additional training may be provided in customer product recommendations, inventory control, and Japanese seafood specialties based on experience and business needs.
Employees who demonstrate strong performance, reliability, and leadership potential may have opportunities to develop additional seafood preparation skills or pursue advancement within the company.
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
Equal Employment Opportunity
Marukai Tokyo Central is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without unlawful discrimination. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, business needs, and applicable laws. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable requirements.