Center Store Assistant Department Manager

Festival Foods • La Crosse, WI

1d

About The Position

The Center Store Assistant Manager provides operational and leadership support across Grocery, Frozen/Dairy, Natural & Organic, and Health & Beauty Care/General Merchandise. The role shifts focus according to daily business needs and supports department standards, inventory accuracy, pricing, and daily operations. In collaboration with Center Store leadership, the assistant manager works alongside associates to train and guide them and to help ensure exceptional guest experiences.

The position may lead teams when Center Store Manager(s) are absent, support store closing procedures, and step in at the register when needed. It is a full-time role based at the La Crosse - Village location. Schedules may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with occasional closing-shift support.

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 the 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, and ability to recognize and respond to potential safety hazards.
• Proper training and knowledge of equipment such as point-of-sale systems, hand jacks, balers, forklifts, hand trucks, and trash compactors.
• Ability to stand for long periods, walk in the store, and bend, stoop, and kneel regularly.
• Fine finger and broad manual dexterity, eye-hand-foot coordination to operate equipment, and full upper-body range of motion to lift stock.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods and to use functional sensory abilities to monitor the store, create displays, and operate equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift 50–60 pounds.
• Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule.

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 in the absence of Center Store Manager(s), supporting associates and maintaining department standards.
• Train, coach, and retrain associates as needed; reinforce company culture, guest service, and performance expectations.
• Maintain department standards for inventory levels, pricing, and cleanliness; monitor sales floor and back-stock conditions and address opportunities.
• Communicate and 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 work at the register and support store closing procedures when needed.
• Help guests locate products, place special orders, and resolve questions, concerns, or issues.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in work areas, shelving, coolers, receiving, and the sales floor.
• Assist with writing and conducting associate performance reviews; document policy or procedure violations and collaborate with management and HR on corrective action, up to and including termination.
• Attend work regularly and on time in accordance with the schedule, 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 associates receive time and a half on Sundays and select holidays.
• Schedules provided two weeks in advance.
• Vision insurance and two dental coverage options for eligible part-time and full-time associates.
• Three weeks of paid parental leave.
• Fitness reimbursement program offering savings on fitness membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and LEAPCare Care Coaches offering confidential support.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with an annual discretionary company match.

What This Job Offers

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