Deli & Prepared Foods Department Manager

FORTY ACRES FRESH MARKET LLC•Chicago, IL

10d•$50,000 - $58,000•Onsite

About The Position

Forty Acres Fresh Market (FAFM) is an independent, Black woman-owned grocery business offering high-quality, fresh food to people across Chicagoland. We are working to restore healthy food access so that people across Chicago neighborhoods can have a worthwhile grocery experience regardless of zip code. Forty Acres Fresh Market operates its brick and mortar store in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood in 2025 and is seeking a like-minded person to join the management team. This is an onsite position that promotes advancement within the grocery industry by allowing the Deli & Prepared Foods (Mabel’s Meals) to become your own piece of the store. As a FAFM team member, this manager will exemplify Forty Acres’ Values of Quality, Sustainability, Community Engagement, and Integrity.

Requirements

HS Diploma or equivalent
Minimum 4 years relevant experience in food service, particularly in a deli, quick service, or restaurant environment; 2 years in a management role
Must be capable of providing and modeling exceptional customer service
Proficiency in food planning and preparation, sanitation, and food handling
Proficiency in completing cost analysis and reviewing invoices
City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate, or ability to acquire within 30 days of employment
Ability to manage a tight inventory of supplies, ingredients, prepared items, and department products
Proficient skill level in Microsoft Office or Google Productivity Suite, including email and Excel/Sheets
Experienced in various POS and transaction devices such as kiosks, printers, tickets, and touch screens
Knowledge of basic math, particularly fractions and margin formulas
Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
Applicants must be 21 years of age, minimum.

Nice To Haves

Experience with recipe creation (including cost calculation) across a variety of cuisines
Restaurant, retail, or management experience preferred
Ability to manage time effectively, and prioritize task
Must be detail oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups.

Responsibilities

Directs and manages all functions and activities of the Deli & Prepared Foods (Mabel’s Meals) Department.
Achieve budgeted financial goals and ensure profitability through tracking labor costs, inventory and sales, and reducing losses due to shrink, damage, and pilferage.
Oversees department personnel, including interviewing, hiring, training, and developing team members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining team members as necessary; scheduling, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Create an environment that makes customers feel welcome, important, and appreciated.
Assist with store promotional, advertising, and sales event planning.
Closely collaborate with store and department managers to repurpose store inventory, develop new recipes or specials, and have a cohesive store product mix that promotes the profitability of the store.
Supervising daily production of the deli menu, including hot food, salads, sandwiches, soups, and cold packaged meals to maintain high food quality and efficient production standards that are in accordance with food safety and company standards.
Ensures hot and cold foods are prepared and displayed in accordance with company standards.
Enforces quality control and food safety standards and ensures dated products are stocked and rotated properly.
Makes fine judgements about aroma, flavor, taste, texture, and color to inspect prepared foods for quality and freshness.
Consistently review competitive pricing for key performance items in the market and report changes to store management and pricing coordinator.
Regularly communicate and report department pricing changes to pricing coordinator.
Ensure proper use of a wide variety of kitchen equipment and appliances to include, but not limited to, mixer, slicers, ovens, sharp knives, and fryers.
Monitor and control expenses and waste in the department, including maintaining correct portion sizes to prevent shrink.
Assist store manager in preparing store/department budget, profit and loss reviews, and take appropriate action on all financial reports.
Order all deli products, ingredients, and supplies from authorized vendors.
Manage the receiving process including: checking the load for quality/shortage/overage and code dating the case; proper storage of product following food safety and inventory controls; verify that costs on invoices to find any changes; call in all credits and ensure credit is received.
Adhere to all food safety regulations and guidelines: Prepare foods according to food temperature logs and follow cooking instructions; Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and recorded.
Oversee the upholding of all Health Department requirements, department cleanliness and sanitation including preparing and logging all food temperatures in cases and during production, Maintaining a clean department and store, safe use of cleaning equipment and chemicals.
Report all safety risks and reinforce safety programs by notifying and identifying store management with unsafe conditions, illegal activity which may include robbery, theft, or mis-suse of company property.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Other duties related to general store operations as assigned by management.