The Training & Development (T & D) Department is focused on creating training tools and programs that develop our people and support the business efforts which drive the success of our company. 

The T & D team develops materials for use at all levels of the company, from Orientation of new hourly employees to tracking and development of Assistant Store Managers.  As part of their overall job function, each T & D Specialist is aligned with one of our Marketing Teams in order to provide training-related support, including new department manager training programs and materials. 

The T & D Team drives our Certified Trainer Program, a program designed to identify top performing department managers and equip them to train new department managers, orient new Assistant Store Managers and travel to support new store openings by training the staff and assisting department managers launch the store successfully. 

As the company continues to grow, the T & D Team will continue to focus on developing store management talent.  Training new Assistant Store Managers not only to perform the technical skills of their job but also to competently lead their people will enable The Fresh Market to continue achieving its goal of delivering an exceptional shopping experience to customers. 

“I wanted to be part of a company that valued people and lived out their conviction by investing in people to make them successful.  I didn’t want a company that espoused training but one that embraced it.  I was convinced after speaking with the owner of the company that he truly walked his talk.  People did matter to him.  I knew I could have impact in an environment like that.  I was promised an environment open to change, open to new ideas and open to collaboration.  I was promised there would be receptivity to training as long as it helped drive our business and make us better as a company.  I was promised that this was a company where you were allowed to try and fail…as long as you learned in the process and continued to try and make things better.  The promises made were promises kept.  I came to The Fresh Market hoping to have impact.  I have stayed at The Fresh Market because the Training Team does.”

          - Eric Gordon
          Director of Training & Development