Center Store Assistant Department Manager

Festival Foods • Madison, WI

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Center Store Assistant Department Manager provides operational and leadership support across Grocery, Frozen/Dairy, Natural & Organic, and Health & Beauty Care/General Merchandise. The role flexibly shifts focus according to daily business needs and helps maintain department standards, inventory accuracy, pricing, and daily operations. In collaboration with Center Store leadership, the assistant manager supports associates through training and guidance and works to provide exceptional guest experiences. The position is based at Festival Foods in Madison, Wisconsin.

Requirements

• High school education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the retail food business, especially non-perishable department operations, and strong merchandising skills.
• Familiarity with store operations and ability to coordinate effectively with store and vendor teams.
• Ability to make timely, effective decisions; communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment; and manage a diverse team.
• Understanding of safety requirements and company safety policies, with the ability to recognize and react to possible safety hazards.
• Proper training and knowledge of point-of-sale systems, hand jacks, balers, forklifts, hand trucks, and trash compactors.
• Ability to stand for long periods; walk in the store; bend, stoop, and kneel regularly; and perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods.
• Fine-finger and broad manual dexterity, eye-hand-foot coordination, full upper-body range of motion, and functional sensory abilities to monitor the store, create displays, and operate equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift 50–60 pounds.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures and humidity, including temperature-controlled areas, freezers, coolers, and receiving, with occasional outdoor tasks.
• Ability to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays, and to support closing shifts occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership experience as a manager or lead in retail, grocery, warehouse, or restaurant settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Center Store departments, adapting to daily business needs.
• Lead teams and support associates when Center Store Manager(s) are absent, maintaining department standards.
• Train, coach, and retrain new and current associates as needed.
• Reinforce company culture, guest service, and performance expectations.
• Ensure department standards for inventory levels, pricing, and cleanliness are met consistently.
• Observe sales-floor and back-stock conditions and address opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Store Director, department managers, and associates to exceed guest expectations.
• Verify accurate timekeeping and communicate missing time, transferred hours, or schedule issues to HR.
• Be prepared to work at the register and support store-closing procedures when needed.
• Help guests locate products, place special orders, and address questions, concerns, or issues.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in work areas, shelving, coolers, receiving, and the sales floor.
• Assist with writing and conducting performance reviews for department associates.
• Document policy or procedure violations and collaborate with management and HR on corrective action, up to and including termination.
• Maintain regular, timely attendance and provide adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 15% associate discount on grocery purchases for the associate and immediate household.
• Weekly pay for hourly associates.
• Premium pay for hourly associates on Sundays and select holidays: part-time associates receive an additional $1 per hour, and full-time associates receive time and a half.
• Schedules provided two weeks in advance.
• Vision insurance and two dental coverage options for part-time and full-time associates.
• Three weeks of paid parental leave.
• Fitness reimbursement program for fitness membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Program and LEAPCare Care Coaches offering confidential support.
• 401(k) plan with an annual discretionary company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED