Prepared Foods Assistant Manager

New Leaf•Aptos, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Prepared Foods Assistant Manager partners with the Prepared Foods Manager to manage the department and provide oversight to its staff and operations. This management position supports financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions, merchandising, food and work safety, communication, hiring, training, and performance management. The assistant manager provides leadership in line with company values and promotes a positive, progressive work environment aligned with the company’s mission, vision, values, and policies. The role balances administrative work with a presence on the sales floor. It involves coordinating staff and production, maintaining inventory and product availability, supporting department sales and margin goals, serving customers, and helping ensure food quality, cleanliness, and safety. Work takes place in a grocery store environment, with possible exposure to wet or slippery surfaces, moderate noise, controlled cooler and freezer temperatures, outdoor conditions depending on location, and certain allergens or chemicals.

Requirements

Previous food service, retail, or grocery management experience.
Knowledge of retail grocery Prepared Foods, Deli, or food production departments, and/or similar restaurant, café, or food-industry experience.
Entry- to mid-level computer proficiency.
Skills managing financial results, including labor, sales, and profit margin.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Basic to intermediate math and computation skills.
Ability to read, understand, and follow verbal and written instructions; exercise good judgment; resolve conflicts; and analyze situations to find solutions.
Ability to speak, read, and understand English.
Ability to perform the stated physical demands, including frequent to continuous standing and walking, lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling items of varying weights, and reaching, twisting, bending, or crouching as described.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Excel and inventory software.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Prepared Foods Manager in managing and overseeing all areas of the department.
Assist with staff management, including writing reviews, scheduling, coaching, development, and ongoing feedback.
Assess, prioritize, and delegate tasks and production; promote teamwork, open communication, recognition, and constructive conflict resolution.
Maintain consistent department conditions and ensure products are stocked, rotated, faced, and presented according to merchandising standards and category schematics.
Support satisfactory in-stock conditions and maintain inventory levels that help achieve sales and margin goals.
Order products based on anticipated sales and seasonal needs; train staff to write orders and production schedules that meet department standards and product availability goals.
Build attractive displays and arrange products to highlight featured, unique, and seasonal items; partner with the manager on weekly ads, events, and holidays.
Maintain professional vendor relationships and ensure customer special orders are accurately placed and delivered.
Receive and unload merchandise; check its quality, count, and condition, and communicate issues to management and the merchandising team.
Maintain product quality and expiration-date standards while stocking and rotating products; organize and clean back-stock areas.
Assist customers with product selection, share product knowledge, and make recommendations based on customer needs.
Wrap, weigh, and price products according to department policy; accurately and promptly process made-to-order items.
Assist with food preparation and production.
Partner with the department manager to plan, lead, and analyze monthly perishable inventory.
Demonstrate and share knowledge of store products, industry trends, culinary terminology, product labeling, and common dietary restrictions.
Work with the department manager to meet labor and margin goals, schedule the department accordingly, and develop and execute plans when results fall short of expectations.
Coach staff to maintain accurate, organized inventory and back stock; handle damaged and spoiled products according to company policy.
Maintain working knowledge of department equipment and train staff or troubleshoot errors as needed.
Leverage resources and labor to maximize efficiency without compromising quality or service standards.
Balance administrative duties with a presence on the sales floor.
Follow company work and food safety policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations; contribute to store cleanliness, maintain equipment, conserve company resources, and inform management of problems.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.