Produce Department Manager

Festival Foods•Mauston, WI

11d•Onsite

About The Position

ABOUT FESTIVAL FOODS: We are a Wisconsin grocer that is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and providing guests with exceptional service and value. We operate +40 full-service supermarkets across the state of Wisconsin. At Festival, people are at the top of our list. You’ll see it in everything from our daily interactions to how we treat our guests – even in our extensive associate benefits and programs. Job Title: Produce Department Manager Reports To: Senior Fresh Manager Are you a retail, grocery, or food-service leader who thrives in a fast-paced store environment? Do you have a passion for fresh, high-quality produce and a talent for inspiring others to deliver exceptional guest experiences? If you’re a leader who enjoys coaching teams, driving results, and keeping operations running smoothly, we want to hear from you! At Festival Foods, we believe that great guest experiences start with great people. As a Produce Department Manager, you’ll play a key role in ensuring every guest finds the freshest fruits and vegetables, beautifully merchandised displays, and friendly, knowledgeable service. You’ll lead with integrity, develop your team, and make a meaningful impact every day. What You’ll Do: As a Produce Department Manager at Festival Foods, you will: Lead and develop your team: Provide consistent coaching, feedback, and support to Produce associates while reinforcing Festival’s culture and performance expectations. Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure all associates receive thorough and ongoing training. Recruit and onboard associates: Partner with HR to interview candidates, extend job offers, and ensure smooth onboarding and follow-up training for all new produce hires. Plan and manage schedules: Finalize and approve weekly work schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels while managing labor goals and business needs. Support associate growth: Mentor and develop Assistant Department Managers and Leads to prepare them for future advancement opportunities. Oversee department operations: Manage all aspects of Produce operations, including inventory, ordering, pricing accuracy, and product rotation, to maintain freshness and profitability. Maintain strong partnerships & standards: Work closely with suppliers, follow all proper ordering and credit procedures, and ensure consistent product quality and availability. Monitor and maintain merchandising standards: Observe sales floor and backroom conditions daily, ensuring appealing, well-stocked, and organized displays that meet company standards. Deliver exceptional guest service: Provide friendly and helpful assistance to guests, answer questions, take special orders, and resolve concerns with professionalism and care. Ensure safety and compliance: Maintain proper food safety documentation, verify temperature and sanitation logs, and enforce company safety policies. Maintain timekeeping accuracy: Review associate schedules and time records for accuracy and communicate corrections or updates to HR as needed. Drive sales and profitability: Meet or exceed department goals for gross profit, shrink control, and guest satisfaction through effective leadership and operational execution. Support a clean and organized environment: Contribute to the overall cleanliness of the department by maintaining work areas, shelving, and sales floor presentation. Honor commitments: Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences. Support the team: Perform other duties as assigned to support overall store operations and guest experience.

Requirements

High School education or equivalent; 5+ years of leadership experience (including at least 2 years in a managerial role).
Experience in retail food business with strong knowledge of perishable operations and merchandising best practices.
Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team.
Strong understanding of inventory management, labor control, and profitability strategies.
Proficiency with technology and comfort in a fast-paced retail environment.
Thorough understanding of safety requirements and company policies.
Ability to operate department equipment safely (hand jack, baler, forklift, cutter, trash compactor, etc.).
Must have or be willing to obtain a WI Certified Food Manager License (Festival covers certification costs).

Responsibilities

Lead and develop your team: Provide consistent coaching, feedback, and support to Produce associates while reinforcing Festival’s culture and performance expectations. Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure all associates receive thorough and ongoing training.
Recruit and onboard associates: Partner with HR to interview candidates, extend job offers, and ensure smooth onboarding and follow-up training for all new produce hires.
Plan and manage schedules: Finalize and approve weekly work schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels while managing labor goals and business needs.
Support associate growth: Mentor and develop Assistant Department Managers and Leads to prepare them for future advancement opportunities.
Oversee department operations: Manage all aspects of Produce operations, including inventory, ordering, pricing accuracy, and product rotation, to maintain freshness and profitability.
Maintain strong partnerships & standards: Work closely with suppliers, follow all proper ordering and credit procedures, and ensure consistent product quality and availability.
Monitor and maintain merchandising standards: Observe sales floor and backroom conditions daily, ensuring appealing, well-stocked, and organized displays that meet company standards.
Deliver exceptional guest service: Provide friendly and helpful assistance to guests, answer questions, take special orders, and resolve concerns with professionalism and care.
Ensure safety and compliance: Maintain proper food safety documentation, verify temperature and sanitation logs, and enforce company safety policies.
Maintain timekeeping accuracy: Review associate schedules and time records for accuracy and communicate corrections or updates to HR as needed.
Drive sales and profitability: Meet or exceed department goals for gross profit, shrink control, and guest satisfaction through effective leadership and operational execution.
Support a clean and organized environment: Contribute to the overall cleanliness of the department by maintaining work areas, shelving, and sales floor presentation.
Honor commitments: Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
Support the team: Perform other duties as assigned to support overall store operations and guest experience.

Benefits

Associate Discount: Enjoy an industry-leading 15% off your grocery purchases for you and your immediate household!.
Weekly Pay & Premium Pay: Hourly associates are paid weekly, providing more frequent access to their funds. Part-time store associates are paid a $1 premium per hour on Sundays and select holidays. Hourly full-time store associates receive time and a half on Sundays and select holidays.
Two-Week Advanced Scheduling: Better Planning. Better Balance. We provide our associates with their schedules two weeks in advance, offering greater predictability & flexibility.
Vision & Dental Insurance: Part-time and full-time associates are eligible for vision insurance and two dental coverage options that are designed to fit your needs.
Support: Our associates receive support for their total well-being; including 3 weeks of paid parental leave, a fitness reimbursement program offering savings off of fitness membership fees; our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and LEAPCare Care Coaches, which provide associates confidential care related to hospital visitation, conflict resolution, stress management, marriage or divorce, family issues and depression or anxiety.
Save for Your Future: Offering a 401(k), we’re proud to support our associates in planning for retirement. The 401(k) plan empowers associates to save a portion of their paychecks for retirement. Festival Foods has an annual discretionary match to help our associates reach their savings goals.

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