Meat Department Manager

Festival Foods • West Allis, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Meat Department Manager, you’ll lead a team of skilled associates who showcase our high-quality meat and seafood selections. Your team will provide thoughtful guidance, from recommending the perfect cut to helping guests select fresh seafood, all while delivering an enjoyable shopping experience. You will lead and develop your team by coaching, mentoring, and supporting Meat associates, including assistant managers, butchers, clerks, and meat cutters, while reinforcing Festival culture, guest service standards, and performance expectations. You will also conduct performance reviews and provide guidance to help your team succeed. You will partner with Human Resources to review and interview candidates, extend job offers, and ensure all new associates receive thorough and consistent training. You will approve weekly schedules and maintain adequate staffing levels to meet department needs while managing labor and operational goals. You will mentor Assistant Managers and Department Leads, including aspiring butchers and meat cutters, to prepare them for advancement opportunities. You will manage all aspects of the Meat Department, including inventory, pricing accuracy, product rotation, and merchandising. Ensure steaks, seafood, and other meats are fresh, appealing, and ready for guests. You will ensure merchandising and department standards by observing sales floor and back stock conditions, correcting issues, and ensuring attractive, organized displays that highlight meat and seafood selections. You will implement and maintain new store or department standards and policies. You will assist guests with selecting meat or seafood, fulfill special orders, answer questions, and provide tips on cooking or pairing, just like a skilled butcher would. You will resolve concerns with professionalism and care. You will conduct “Huddle Ups” to share department updates, company news, and wins. You will collaborate with the Store Director, Meat Director, Sr. Meat Director, and other Department Managers to maintain standards and exceed guest expectations. You will ensure accurate time records, monitor schedules, and communicate any payroll or scheduling issues to HR. You will track and verify department food safety logs, lead by example in keeping work areas, shelving, and sales floor clean, and ensure compliance with all safety policies. You will maintain regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and provide adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences. You will assist the team where needed and perform other duties as assigned to ensure smooth department operations.

Requirements

• High School Education or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ of leadership experience (at least 2 years as manager) - retail or restaurant preferred.
• Experience as a butcher, meat cutter, or seafood handler is a plus.
• WI Certified Food Manager License (Festival reimburses associates who obtain certification while employed).
• Knowledge of retail food business, meat and seafood operations, and merchandising best practices.
• Ability to make timely, effective decisions and handle diverse teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with guests and associates.
• Thorough understanding of all safety requirements and company safety policies.
• Must possess the ability to apply on-the-job safety training to recognize and react to possible safety hazards on store premises.
• Requires proper training and knowledge of the following equipment/procedures: hand jack, baler, forklift, proper lifting techniques, proper scanning techniques, hand truck, trash compactor.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a butcher, meat cutter, or seafood handler is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop your team: Coach, mentor, and support Meat associates, including assistant managers, butchers, clerks, and meat cutters, while reinforcing Festival culture, guest service standards, and performance expectations. Conduct performance reviews and provide guidance to help your team succeed.
• Recruit and onboard associates: Partner with Human Resources to review and interview candidates, extend job offers, and ensure all new associates receive thorough and consistent training.
• Plan and manage schedules: Approve weekly schedules and maintain adequate staffing levels to meet department needs while managing labor and operational goals.
• Support associate growth: Mentor Assistant Managers and Department Leads, including aspiring butchers and meat cutters, to prepare them for advancement opportunities.
• Oversee department operations: Manage all aspects of the Meat Department, including inventory, pricing accuracy, product rotation, and merchandising. Ensure steaks, seafood, and other meats are fresh, appealing, and ready for guests.
• Ensure merchandising and department standards: Observe sales floor and back stock conditions, correct issues, and ensure attractive, organized displays that highlight meat and seafood selections. Implement and maintain new store or department standards and policies.
• Deliver exceptional guest service: Assist guests with selecting meat or seafood, fulfill special orders, answer questions, and provide tips on cooking or pairing, just like a skilled butcher would. Resolve concerns with professionalism and care.
• Communicate effectively: Conduct “Huddle Ups” to share department updates, company news, and wins. Collaborate with the Store Director, Meat Director, Sr. Meat Director, and other Department Managers to maintain standards and exceed guest expectations.
• Maintain timekeeping and compliance: Ensure accurate time records, monitor schedules, and communicate any payroll or scheduling issues to HR.
• Maintain food safety and cleanliness: Track and verify department food safety logs, lead by example in keeping work areas, shelving, and sales floor clean, and ensure compliance with all safety policies.
• Honor commitments: Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
• Support the team: Assist the team where needed and perform other duties as assigned to ensure smooth department operations.

Benefits

• 15% off grocery purchases for you and your immediate household.
• Weekly Pay
• Premium Pay on Sundays and select holidays for hourly associates.
• Time and a half on Sundays and select holidays for hourly full-time store associates.
• Two-Week Advanced Scheduling
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• 3 weeks of paid parental leave
• Fitness reimbursement program
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• LEAPCare Care Coaches
• 401(k) with annual discretionary match

What This Job Offers

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