Prepared Foods Manager

New Seasons Market•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Prepared Foods Manager leads the Prepared Foods department and its staff, overseeing financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions, merchandising, food and work safety, communication, hiring, training, and performance management. The role is responsible for providing an exceptional customer shopping experience through high service standards and product knowledge, while promoting a positive and progressive work environment in line with company values, mission, vision, and policies. The position reports to the Assistant Store Manager and is non-exempt. The manager oversees department operations, staff performance, scheduling, coaching, task delegation, ordering, inventory, production, merchandising, customer special orders, and monthly perishable inventory. They work with store management and Operations to respond to sales trends, plan for ads and events, and coordinate in-store tastings. The position also assists customers, prepares and produces food, and performs receiving, stocking, rotation, and department-cleanliness tasks. This role is based in a grocery store environment. Work may involve wet or slippery surfaces, moderate noise, temperature extremes in coolers and freezers, and, depending on location, outdoor conditions and exposure to allergens or chemicals. The job involves frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, stooping, and hand and wrist use; occasional stair, step-stool, or ladder climbing may be required. The role can occasionally require lifting up to 50 pounds and frequently lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Requirements

Previous customer service, food service, restaurant or catering, retail, or grocery experience.
At least 3 years of food service management or supervisory experience; high-volume experience is preferred.
Previous supervisory experience.
Previous ordering and inventory management experience.
Ability to manage financial results, including labor and profit margin.
Ability to plan, prioritize, and delegate work, and to train, coach, and hold staff accountable.
Basic math and computation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel, and ability to learn new computer programs and systems.
Ability to work independently, manage time, and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Self-motivation and strong attention to detail, quality, and presentation.
Ability to read, understand, and follow verbal and written instructions and recipes.
Friendly, customer-service-oriented approach and an interest in food and cooking.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Ability to complete and maintain required food and work safety training or certifications.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds and frequently lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Food service management experience in a high-volume environment.
Familiarity with culinary terminology, techniques, and industry-standard equipment.
Experience with recipe costing, inventory systems, and ordering systems.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee all areas of the Prepared Foods department.
Directly manage department staff, including writing reviews, scheduling, coaching, development, and ongoing feedback.
Assess, prioritize, and delegate department tasks and production; promote collaboration, staff engagement, and constructive resolution of issues.
Maintain consistent department conditions, in-stock levels, inventory, merchandising standards, product rotation, and sales and margin goals.
Order Prepared Foods products according to anticipated sales and seasonal needs; train staff on ordering and production scheduling.
Build displays and arrange products to create attractive presentations, including featured, unique, and seasonal items.
Plan for weekly advertisements, events, and holidays using available tools and reports; work with store management to respond to store trends.
Maintain professional vendor relationships and coordinate in-store tastings with the Operations department.
Ensure customer special orders are accurately placed and delivered.
Receive and unload merchandise; check quality, count, and condition, and communicate issues to management and the merchandising team.
Stock and rotate products with attention to quality and expiration dates, and maintain organized, clean backstock areas.
Assist customers with product selection, share product knowledge, and make recommendations based on customer needs.
Assist with food preparation and production; wrap, weigh, and price products according to department policy and process made-to-order items accurately and efficiently.
Plan, lead, and analyze monthly perishable inventory.
Manage time and changing priorities, maintain productivity and efficiency, and respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner.
Establish effective verbal and written communication systems and build understanding of basic Human Resources concepts using store-level resources.
Follow company, food-safety, work-safety, and regulatory policies; contribute to store cleanliness and maintain equipment.
Demonstrate reliable attendance, adapt to changing business needs, conserve company resources, and contribute to an inclusive and respectful workplace.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.