If you’re someone who has a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives, join us as we work to be a trusted resource in our communities, offering real people, real food at real affordable prices across the Midwest. If you are ready to immerse yourself in an environment, that helps shoppers naturally, intuitively, and enjoyably find real, honest, affordable goodness to meet them wherever they are on their wellness journey, we’d like to hear from you. Join us to begin YOUR journey and be a part of the Fresh Thyme Market Team!

Fresh Thyme Rewards

Weekly pay
Scheduling flexibility
Paid parental leave
Team member discount
Career growth opportunities

Are you passionate about the retail grocery market and organic products? Are you a leader? Are you ready to join one of the fastest growing companies in the retail grocery market? If so, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is the place for you! Our unique business model, fast paced and growing environment, promote from within culture, and excellent benefits make Fresh Thyme the best employer in the grocery market. Careers have been blooming at Fresh Thyme since our inception in 2012 - yours should be no different!

The Grocery Clerk is responsible for keeping all store grocery shelves stocked and clean during business hours. They are required to assist customers as needed and maintain a friendly, energetic demeanor. This position requires adhering to all procedural guidelines set by the Grocery Department.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

· Ensures cleanliness of grocery shelves, storage area, and work area for safety; includes cleaning of shelves and products, keeping floors free of liquid spills or water, removing hazardous debris from floor and sweeping.

· Stocks grocery shelves; includes presentation of product, facing, filling, and organization of all product items as set by the Grocery Department schematics as well as ensuring tag and pricing accuracy.

· Examines the rotation of all grocery products paying particular attention to expired stock and discarding outdated or spoiled items.

· Responds positively to customer’s inquiries and assists customers with purchases, information and product selection; requires selling and cross selling of products.

· Receives, inspects, and logs products for accuracy of shipment, temperature, and quality.

· Monitors the point of purchase signs; ensures a variety of recipe cards, product coupons, promotional material, and information on complimentary foods.

· Requires operating and using equipment such as knives, scales, wrappers, compactors, garbage disposals, pallet jacks, and hand trucks.

· Uses knowledge of scales and weight measures to accurately weigh and label products.

· Cuts and stacks cases for building grocery displays as well as price and mark merchandise.

· Participates in pre-inventory preparation; includes back stock and assuring tags match products.

· Sustains a high level of product knowledge and product preparation.

· Walks department regularly to ensure an organized, sanitary, and overall clean appearance at all times.

· Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

· High school diploma or equivalency degree.

· Preferred 1 -2 years grocery retail experience in Grocery department processes and procedures.

· Previous experience in a natural foods industry is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Must maintain the highest level of customer service at all times.

· Ability to adapt to the ever changing high volume retail while working in a cross-functional team environment.

· Must have the capacity to take initiative when problems arise.

· Flexibility to adapt in a variety of situations.

· Must have advanced attention to detail with the capability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

· Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for dealing cross functionally with peers and senior management.

· Ability to multitask and have excellent organizational skills is essential.

· Must be able to support and contribute to team goals.

· Ability to work varied hours/days as business dictates.

· Must be familiar with Health Department guidelines and regulations as they pertain to a grocery retail environment.

· Must have basic knowledge of math, weights, and measures.

· Must understand proper handling, preparation, seasonality, and appropriate shelf life of products.

Job Function Analysis

Physical Demands

· Sit Rarely 1–2 hours

· Stand Continuously 1–8 hours

· Walk Continuously 2–8 hours

· Drive Frequently 2-4 hours

· Balance Frequently 34–66%

· Bend Occasionally 1–33%

· Climb (2–6 ft) Occasionally 1–33%

· Crawl Occasionally 1–33%

· Crouch/Squat Occasionally 1–33%

· Kneel Occasionally 1–33%

· Reach (forward & overhead) Frequently 34–66%

· Twist (45 degrees at waist) Occasionally 1–33%

Lifting/Carrying

· 0–10 lbs. Occasionally 1–33%

· 11–25 lbs. Occasionally 1–33%

· 26–50 lbs. Occasionally 1–33%

· 51–100 lbs. Never 0%

Repetitive Motion

Right & Left Grasping Frequently 34–66%

Fine Manipulation Occasionally 1–33%

Pushing and Pulling Occasionally 1–33%

Lower extremities Never 0%

Environmental Conditions:

Some extreme temperatures are possible. Some ventilation and exhaust fans.

At Fresh Thyme, our team members Thrive. We offer competitive compensation, incentive programs, and recognition programs that allows our most successful team members to be rewarded for the results they consistently drive and for being passionate about working safely to ensure 200% accountability - 100% accountability for self and 100% accountability for your fellow team members. Therefore, we are committed to offering competitive pay that reflects market standards and ensures consistency within our organization.

This job generally starts between the rates below with raises occurring in accordance with the Fresh Thyme Market plan policy. The actual rate offered will meet or surpass the legal wage requirement for the job's location.

$15.00 - $16.50

Our team members Thrive because we are committed to the whole person. Not only do we offer a comprehensive benefits package for our full time team members that includes medical, dental, and life insurance, but we also offer a variety of programs designed to support our part time members as well. ALL Fresh Thyme team members enjoy paid parental leave, our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, and our 401(k) plan with an employer match. We are dedicated to creating a work environment that promotes long-term health and financial security. Come Thrive with us!

About the company

Fresh Thyme Market operates as a Midwest grocery chain with about 70 stores focused on helping people live healthier lives by offering real, healthy foods at real, affordable prices. Its product mix includes a wide selection of fresh, local, and organic produce and meat, alongside trusted national brands and local favorites. The company emphasizes the in-store experience and community orientation, highlighting its team members as integral to the brand. Compared with competitors, Fresh Thyme centers on healthful options and value, promoting local sourcing and a simple, community-driven shopping experience rather than premium-only or trend-focused offerings. The company’s goal is to enable healthy living for its customers through accessible, affordable, high-quality groceries and strong local community presence across the Midwest.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Downers Grove, Illinois

Founded

N/A

Get referred to Fresh Thyme

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Afresh rollout lifted deli adherence from 40% to 90% and boosted sales in 2026.
MyThyme Rewards now gives 10 points per dollar, improving retention against price-sensitive shoppers.
February 2026 private-label relaunch and September 2026 Pitch Thyme expand margin and local relevance.

What critics are saying

Fresh Thyme's 2023 Aldi asset sale shrank the brand, weakening scale and bargaining power.
Lake Ventures faces a BIPA voiceprint class action in Illinois, exposing expensive biometric liability.
Private-label relaunch targets 200 items in 2026; weak execution leaves shelf reset unfinished by 2027.

What makes Fresh Thyme unique

Fresh Thyme sells better-for-you groceries with full-service butcher, bakery, and prepared foods.
Its local-sourcing program keeps fresh markets and neighborhood brands inside Midwest stores.
Employee Natural Product Advisor certification deepens vitamin and supplement expertise, unlike standard grocers.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Flexible Work Hours

Company News

The Shelby Report

Sep 9th, 2026

Fresh Thyme expands Afresh AI usage after deli sales lift.

Fresh Thyme expands Afresh AI usage after deli sales lift. Share via: Fresh Thyme Market is rolling out Afresh Production Planning across its deli, produce, meat and bakery departments after a test in the deli department yielded increased sales. The change brings the Midwest grocer onto the full Afresh Store Suite, from store ordering to in-store production and inventory management. Production planning previously ran on paper at Fresh Thyme, with each store printing its own par sheets and the support office gaining visibility into department output only after the fact. Now the AI sets each day's production plan for every item, accounting for ingredient and prepared-item shelf life, demand, display sizes and the timing of shopper traffic. The department-level applications will be familiar to fresh operators: In the deli, the plan sets how many rotisserie chickens to make and when to roast them, more for the lunch rush and fewer for off-peak hours. In meat, it ties each cut to the subprimal it comes from, so plans reflect what is on hand. In the bakery, it schedules the thawing and proofing that must start the night before. Significant results. The grocer said adherence to production plans jumped from 40 percent to 90 percent after the switch, deli sales rose significantly and rotisserie chicken has become a top seller with a substantial year-over-year lift. "We've partnered with Afresh since 2019, and every year we've trusted them with more of our fresh operations. Production planning has been the most natural step yet," said Josh Cotton, director of retail operations at Fresh Thyme Market, based in Downers Grove, Illinois. "It's simple and intuitive, so adherence climbed in a way we never could realize on paper." Fresh Thyme also is rolling out Afresh Period Ending Inventory, replacing manual end-of-period counts with a scan that feeds the same system. "Fresh Thyme has consistently embraced innovations from Afresh," said Matt Schwartz, CEO of Afresh. "As we've expanded what's possible with AI in fresh, they've continued to invest alongside us to help their teams operate more efficiently and continuously deliver shoppers an even stronger experience." Founded in 2017, Afresh supports more than 12,500 departments in 40 states, partnering with Albertsons Companies, Stater Bros., Meijer and Wakefern. Fresh Thyme, a better-for-you grocer, operates stores throughout the Midwest. For more Fresh Thyme news, view its Fresh Thyme news page. The Shelby Report delivers complete grocery news and supermarket insights nationwide through the distribution of five monthly regional print and digital editions. Serving the retail food trade since 1967,... More by Shelby Team

Mass Market Retailers

Sep 9th, 2026

Fresh Thyme rolls out Afresh Production Planning.

Fresh Thyme rolls out Afresh Production Planning. Fresh Thyme deli sales rose significantly after production planning moved off paper onto Afresh's AI platform, and the grocer is now expanding across deli, produce, meat, and bakery September 9, 2026. 9:05 AM CHICAGO - Fresh Thyme Market is expanding its use of Afresh Production Planning across its deli, produce, meat, and bakery departments after seeing deli sales improve following its transition from paper-based production planning. The rollout brings the Midwest grocer onto the full Afresh Store Suite, unifying store ordering, in-store production, and inventory management across its fresh perimeter on a single platform. The partnership supports Fresh Thyme's long-term growth strategy while advancing efforts to reduce food waste, improve operational efficiency, and enhance its selection of fresh, organic, and better-for-you products. Afresh's technology also helps streamline store operations, giving team members more time to focus on serving customers and delivering the high-quality shopping experience that differentiates the Fresh Thyme brand. Fresh Thyme's produce is rated among the region's best, and its full-service butcher counters and made-in-store prepared foods round out a business built on fresh. The grocer turned to Afresh to keep differentiating on that exceptional quality and service. Production planning is at the core of Fresh Thyme's operations and used to run on paper, with each store printing its own par sheets. Their support office had less visibility into what each department made until reports revealed opportunities for greater efficiency after the fact. Now Afresh's AI sets the day's production plan for each item, accounting for the shelf life of ingredients and prepared items, demand, display sizes, and the timing of shopper traffic, so food is freshest when shoppers want it. In the deli, the plan sets how many rotisserie chickens to make and when to roast them, more for the lunch rush and fewer for off-peak traffic. In meat, it ties each cut to the subprimal it comes from, so the plan reflects what is on hand. In the bakery, it schedules the thawing and proofing that must start the night before. The results showed up on the deli floor fast. Adherence to production plans jumped from 40% to 90%, and deli sales rose significantly. Rotisserie chicken has become a top seller, with a massive y-o-y sales lift. In aggregate, Fresh Thyme realized stronger efficiencies while also increasing sales due to Afresh's recommendations more accurately targeting the true demand across prepared food. "We've partnered with Afresh since 2019, and every year we've trusted them with more of our fresh operations. Production planning has been the most natural step yet. It's simple and intuitive, so adherence climbed in a way we never could never realize on paper," said Josh Cotton, Director of Retail Operations, Fresh Thyme Market. Fresh Thyme is also rolling out Afresh Period Ending Inventory, replacing manual end-of-period counts with a scan that feeds the same system. With this rollout, Fresh Thyme now runs on the full Afresh Store Suite. "Fresh Thyme has consistently embraced innovations from Afresh. As we've expanded what's possible with AI in fresh, they've continued to invest alongside us to help their teams operate more efficiently and continuously deliver shoppers an even stronger experience. Partnerships like this are what drive meaningful innovation in grocery," said Matt Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, Afresh.

RetailDoc

Jun 8th, 2026

Latest retail industry trends, news & insights.

Latest retail industry trends, news & insights. Needle Movers: Retail Brands Leading Change CRISP POWER Protein Pretzels opens $15M Texas production facility, doubling down on U.S. Expansion. New Domestic Hub Positions High-Protein, Low-Carb Pretzel Brand for National Scale HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - CRISP POWER Protein Pretzels, known as the most well-rounded snack in the protein aisle, is making its most significant U.S. investment to date: a $15 million production facility in Stafford, Texas, serving as the brand's domestic manufacturing hub. The move marks a pivotal step in CRISP POWER's U.S. expansion strategy, shifting from an import-based model to stateside production to meet accelerating consumer and retailer demand. "The U.S. market has validated everything we set out to do. Consumers are actively looking for snacks that deliver real protein and real fiber without compromise, and the retail response has confirmed there's serious appetite for what we've built. Bringing production stateside lets us move faster, respond to demand in real time, and get a fresher product to the people who want it," said Gilad Zilberberg, Founder and CEO of CRISP POWER. The Texas facility comes roughly two years after CRISP POWER's 2024 U.S. launch, during which product was imported from Israel, where it is produced by Meir Bagel, a bakery acquired by Zilberberg in 2000. Under Zilberberg's leadership, the brand has achieved triple-digit year-over-year growth. From Digital Roots to National Retail CRISP POWER built its initial U.S. momentum among digital-first shoppers, earning a loyal following through its direct-to-consumer channel, Amazon, and TikTok Shop before expanding into brick-and-mortar retail. That early digital traction validated the product's appeal, generated strong repeat purchase, and laid the foundation for the brand's rapid move into major retail chains. The Texas facility is the next logical step: purpose-built to support a brand that has outgrown its import model and is now scaling across both online and in-store channels simultaneously. Retail Momentum Driving the Need for Scale The investment is backed by a string of major retail wins this spring alone: Fresh Thyme launched 7 oz. bags across all core flavors in the brand's largest format test to date; Wegmans expanded with Cheddar and Flamin' Crunch; Market Basket introduced branded shipper displays; H-E-B rolled out three SKUs across Texas; and Hy-Vee expanded both its 1.75 oz. and 7 oz. lineups. CRISP POWER now sits in over 3,000 doors nationwide, with partners including Meijer, Costco, Wegmans, Hy-Vee, H-E-B, Fresh Thyme, Market Basket, and The Vitamin Shoppe, while continuing to drive strong velocity on Amazon, TikTok Shop, and crisppower.com. A Nutritional Profile Built for Today's Consumer CRISP POWER's Protein Pretzels deliver up to 28g of protein, 10g of fiber, and just 6g of net carbs per 1.75 oz. bag, with an unmatched crunch and bold flavors that are driving velocity at retail and online. The brand's lineup includes Everything, Sea Salt, Sesame, Cinnamon Crunch, Cheddar, and Flamin' Crunch. CRISP POWER is a 2026 NEXTY Award finalist for Best Functional Food or Beverage and was named one of Men's Health's 2026 Best Foods for Men. Riding a Wave of Protein-Forward Demand The opening comes as protein-forward snacking reaches an inflection point. Consumer focus on satiety, blood sugar management, and macronutrient balance is driving demand for snacks that deliver real nutrition in familiar formats, and the rise of GLP-1 medications has amplified that shift, increasing interest in options that provide substance and sustained fullness. CRISP POWER's high-protein, high-fiber, low-net-carb profile positions the brand squarely at the center of this convergence. With the Texas facility operational, CRISP POWER is poised to accelerate distribution, support new retail and digital partnerships, and establish itself as the defining protein pretzel brand in the U.S. About CRISP POWER CRISP POWER is redefining savory snacking as the most well-rounded snack in the protein aisle. Its line of Protein Pretzels delivers up to 28g of protein per bag along with 10g of fiber and just 6g of net carbs in a fully vegan, craveable, crunchy format built for today's functional-first consumer. Designed to compete directly with traditional crunchy snacks but with dramatically stronger macros, CRISP POWER supports active lifestyles, macro-conscious eaters, and consumers following low-carb, keto-friendly, and GLP-1-informed eating patterns. Available at major retailers nationwide and online at www.crisppower.com, Amazon, and TikTok Shop. Flavor lineup includes Everything, Sea Salt, Sesame, Cinnamon Crunch, Cheddar, and Flamin' Crunch. For more information, visit www.crisppower.com and follow on IG, Facebook and TikTok @crisp.power. Media Contact: SOURCE CRISP POWER How the retail doctor can help you right now. SalesRX offers a complete training program for managers and associates with modules specifically designed for retail sales training and team accountability. Your team will learn how to greet customers the right way, be proactive in building rapport, become a trusted advisor and maximize every encounter to deliver a remarkable branded shopping experience

Grocery Dive

Apr 30th, 2026

Fresh Thyme revamps loyalty program with new points system.

Fresh Thyme revamps loyalty program with new points system. The Midwestern specialty grocer will give shoppers 10 points per dollar spent, and perks like early access to weekly deals and sneak peeks at new products. Published April 30, 2026 Dive brief: * Fresh Thyme Market announced Monday the addition of a new points system to its loyalty program. * With the new MyThyme Rewards Points, loyalty members can earn 10 points for every dollar they spend, with no cap on how many points they can earn, according to the grocer. * The loyalty program's changes aim to help consumers stretch their dollars amid a higher cost of living, Fresh Thyme said. Dive insight: Fresh Thyme Market said in the announcement that the loyalty program changes will help it do a better job reaching price-conscious shoppers. The grocer will automatically enroll its existing members in the new points system. New loyalty program members can earn 10,000 bonus points - a $10 value - after they spend $50. People can redeem their points in multiples of $5, $10, $15 or $20 in the Fresh Thyme app and combine the points with other savings opportunities such as weekly promotions and digital coupons, according to the announcement. Points last for a year and cannot be earned on certain items, including beer, wine, liquor, gift cards, taxes, bottle deposits and THC/CBD products. With the addition of the new points system, members can get early access to weekly deals, sneak peeks at new product launches, surprise bonus points, and meal inspiration and nutritional support from the grocer's registered dietitian. "We know our customers are being more intentional about how they shop for groceries, and they shouldn't have to choose between value and quality," Fresh Thyme President Liz Zolcak said in the announcement. "This program is designed to meet them where they are, helping them save on their everyday groceries while still delivering the fresh foods, experience and sense of community they expect from us." The new points system builds on the loyalty program's existing features such as digital coupons, birthday rewards, member events and pickup services. Fresh Thyme noted that it will continue to evolve its loyalty program with more personalized features like tailored offers based on lifestyle and dietary preferences, expanded digital savings and member-exclusive content. Fresh Thyme's new loyalty program features come at a time when other grocers, including The Fresh Market, Wakefern Food Corp. and Raley's, have recently revamped their loyalty program offerings. Earlier this year, Fresh Thyme announced plans to reimage its private label offerings with new packaging, trending products and more.

FreshPlaza

Dec 10th, 2025

Bringing farmer's market sourcing into major retail

Bringing farmer's market sourcing into major retail. Foodshed.io, a technology-enabled platform that connects local farms with major retailers, announced the success of its collaborative "Farmers Market" in-store concept with Fresh Thyme Market, the Midwest-based grocer committed to fostering healthier communities. The pilot marks a step forward in bringing authentic, local agriculture into mainstream grocery aisles. Working closely with Fresh Thyme, Foodshed.io integrated eight independent farms, ranging from small family operations to mid-sized growers, into six stores across the Chicago and Indianapolis regions. Farmers delivered their products directly to participating stores, enabling shoppers to access more than 27 distinct seasonal varieties typically found only at community farmers markets. More than 95 farm-to-store deliveries took place during the inaugural run. "We were founded on a simple conviction: local farmers deserve stronger market access, and consumers deserve better food," said Dan Beckmann, CEO of Foodshed.io. "For too long, the traditional supply chain has made 'local' the exception rather than the rule. This program flips that model on its head. We're bringing farmers straight into major retail, and we're doing it with urgency, purpose and respect for the people who grow our food." "It has long been our goal to provide guests with the freshness, variety, and quality of a true farmers market," said Anja Kauffman, director of produce and floral at Fresh Thyme Market. "Partnering with Foodshed.io allows us to strengthen relationships with local growers and bring their products directly to the communities we serve." As demand for local sourcing continues to rise, the two companies plan to expand the "Farmers Market" concept into additional markets throughout the grocer's footprint next season. For more information: Dan Beckmann Foodshed.io [email protected] https://foodshed.io/

Fresh Thyme

Grocery Clerk

About the job