MANAGER, RETAIL OPERATIONS

Palmer Food Service•Rochester, NY

8d•$67,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

Palmer Food Services is seeking a motivated and experienced Manager, Retail Operations to join their team. This role involves overseeing daily operations in Prepared Foods, Catering, Grocery, and Merchandising departments, ensuring high standards of quality, service, and profitability. The ideal candidate will lead by example, develop teams, manage inventory and financials, and contribute to the overall success of the company. Palmer Food Services values honesty, integrity, service, excellence, collaboration, family, community, dependability, loyalty, and compassion, and seeks associates who embody these values.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 4 years of food service, restaurant, catering, retail, grocery, or related industry experience required.
Minimum of 2 years of leadership or management experience required; experience managing teams in a kitchen, restaurant, catering, prepared foods, or retail environment strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience with menu development, recipe creation, food costing, inventory management, ordering, and team leadership required.
Strong understanding of food cost management, gross profit analysis, inventory control, and labor management.
Working knowledge of food safety and HACCP principles.
Strong customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to lead by example in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to work flexible schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Catering experience from planning through execution strongly preferred.
Retail grocery experience preferred.
Experience using Yellow Dog inventory software preferred.
Experience using Micros, Target warehouse management, and RSM systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Live and exemplify the company's values by nurturing an environment that inspires and motivates associates to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of the team, our customers, and our company.
Lead by example and champion our Values in Action.
Lead, coach, develop, and motivate associates and Team Lead(s) to achieve departmental and company goals.
Directly supervise department associates and Team Lead(s), including scheduling, payroll review, training, performance management, and day-to-day workflow management.
Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and development of associates.
Foster a team-oriented culture focused on customer service, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Serve as Manager on Duty and provide leadership support across all Market departments as required.
Oversee daily operations of the Prepared Foods and Catering departments, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, freshness, and service.
Develop and maintain creative menus, recipes, and seasonal offerings that align with business objectives and customer demand.
Coordinate catering operations from order placement through production, transportation, delivery, and customer follow-up.
Monitor food costs, margins, labor expenses, and overall department profitability.
Ensure recipes, portion controls, and production standards are followed consistently.
Collaborate with department leadership to plan and execute product sampling, promotional events, and new product introductions.
Monitor food production schedules to ensure adequate product availability while minimizing waste.
Oversee Grocery department operations, ensuring products are properly stocked, merchandised, priced, and rotated.
Maintain department presentation standards through effective merchandising, displays, signage, and promotional execution.
Monitor inventory levels and establish appropriate ordering practices to maintain product availability while minimizing shrink.
Ensure proper FIFO rotation, product dating, labeling, and inventory accuracy.
Assist with receiving, stocking, and inventory management activities as needed.
Manage inventory processes including ordering, receiving, transfers, shrink tracking, and inventory counts.
Utilize Yellow Dog, Target, Micros, RSM, and other company systems to support inventory management and operational effectiveness.
Analyze sales performance, gross profit margins, food costs, labor costs, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
Participate in monthly and periodic inventory processes and ensure accurate reporting.
Protect company assets through effective inventory controls and loss prevention practices.
Ensure customers receive outstanding service by maintaining high standards of product quality, cleanliness, and responsiveness.
Address customer concerns, complaints, and requests professionally and promptly.
Respond to customer inquiries, emails, and other communications in a timely manner.
Actively engage with customers and support associates in delivering an exceptional shopping experience.
Maintain working knowledge of Meat and Seafood operations and provide leadership support when necessary.
Assist with cashiering, stocking, receiving, merchandising, customer service, and other operational activities as business needs require.
Work collaboratively with all Market leadership team members to ensure seamless operation across departments.
Ensure compliance with all DTYM policies, food safety standards, sanitation requirements, and standard operating procedures.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.