Sr. Center Store Manager

Festival Foods • Portage, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Center Store Manager provides strategic in-store leadership across Grocery, Frozen Food/Dairy, Natural/Organic, HBC/GM, Wine & Spirits, and Receiving. The role aligns department operations with storewide and company objectives, focusing on future-oriented planning, inventory management, vendor coordination, and department standards. The position directly leads Center Store Manager(s), the Lead Receiver, the Center Store 3rd Shift Supervisor, and the Wine & Spirits Manager, while providing indirect leadership to assistant managers and associates. It also supports overall store operations by serving as acting Store Director when needed and covering store calls.

This full-time position includes a schedule spanning mornings, mid-shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with the ability to support closing shifts. The work takes place in a grocery store, including temperature-controlled areas, freezers, coolers, and receiving areas, with occasional outdoor tasks to inspect store property.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience, including at least 2 years as a manager in retail or restaurant operations.
• Thorough knowledge of the retail food business and experience in grocery or supermarket operations.
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to lead diverse teams and interact with customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and ability to learn and use systems including a Point-of-Sale register system.
• Understanding of store safety policies and ability to identify potential hazards.
• Ability to learn and safely use a power jack, walk-behind lift, WAV, baler, and compactor.
• Ability to stand in place for long periods; walk in the store; and bend, stoop, and kneel regularly.
• Fine finger and broad manual dexterity, eye-hand-foot coordination, and full upper-body range of motion to operate equipment and lift stock.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods and use functional sensory abilities to monitor the store, create displays, and operate equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift 50–60 pounds.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures and humidity, including moving between temperature-controlled areas, freezers, coolers, and receiving areas, and to perform occasional outdoor tasks.
• Ability to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays, including supporting closing shifts.
• Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience managing a center store department.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop associates in Center Store, Wine & Spirits, and Receiving, ensuring department goals, policies, and procedures are met.
• Serve as Acting Store Director when needed, covering store calls and overseeing storewide operations.
• Train and mentor department leaders and associates, supporting their development and advancement.
• Plan and organize department operations, including scheduling, orders, and vendor coordination.
• Set high expectations for customer service and department standards, including helpfulness and in-stock benchmarks.
• Finalize and approve weekly Center Store schedules in alignment with labor and budget projections, and make daily adjustments as needed.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and accurate pricing, and execute merchandising and display standards for in-line products, end caps, and seasonal programs.
• Be prepared to operate the register and support store closing procedures.
• Collaborate with the Store Director, Guest Service Manager, Fresh Sr. Manager, and department teams on store programs, initiatives, and operational improvements.
• Train new Center Store, Receiving, and Wine & Spirits associates and foster a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Guide Wine & Spirits and Center Store leaders in maintaining inventory levels and accurate pricing for products received and sold.
• Uphold safety policies, company procedures, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain regular, timely attendance and provide adequate notice to arrange coverage for occasional absences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 15% discount on grocery purchases for the associate and immediate household.
• Weekly pay for hourly associates.
• Premium pay for part-time associates on Sundays and select holidays; time-and-a-half pay for full-time hourly store associates on Sundays and select holidays.
• Schedules provided two weeks in advance.
• Vision insurance and two dental coverage options for eligible part-time and full-time associates.
• Three weeks of paid parental leave.
• Fitness reimbursement program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and LEAPCare Care Coaches.
• 401(k) plan with an annual discretionary company match.

What This Job Offers

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