Center Store Assistant Department Manager

Festival Foods • Madison, WI

12d • 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 departments, shifting focus according to daily business needs. The role helps maintain department standards, accurate inventory and pricing, and smooth daily operations. In partnership with Center Store leadership, the assistant manager supports and trains associates and helps deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The position reports to the Center Store Manager and is based in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a full-time role whose schedule may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with occasional closing-shift support as needed.

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 and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage a diverse team.
• Understanding of safety requirements and company safety policies, and ability to recognize and respond to potential 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; bend, stoop, and kneel regularly; perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods; and lift stock using full upper-body motion.
• Fine finger and broad manual dexterity, eye-hand-foot coordination, 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, receiving areas, and occasional outdoor tasks.

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 when Center Store Manager(s) are absent and maintain associate support and department standards.
• Train, coach, and retrain associates; reinforce company culture, guest service, and performance expectations.
• Maintain department standards for inventory, pricing, and cleanliness, and address sales-floor or back-stock opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Store Director, department managers, and associates to exceed guest expectations.
• Verify accurate timekeeping and communicate missing time, transferred hours, or scheduling issues to HR.
• Be prepared to cashier and support store-closing procedures when needed.
• Help guests locate products, place special orders, and resolve questions, concerns, or issues.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work areas, shelving, coolers, receiving areas, and the sales floor.
• Assist with writing and conducting performance reviews; 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.
• Full-time hourly store associates receive time-and-a-half pay on Sundays and select holidays.
• 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.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 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