Sr. Fresh Manager

Festival Foods•Wausau, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fresh Foods Senior Manager provides strategic in-store leadership across the Bakery, Deli, Meat, Food Court, and Produce departments, ensuring alignment with store and company objectives. The role focuses on future-oriented planning, inventory management, vendor coordination, and department standards. It directly leads Fresh Department Managers and indirectly leads Assistant Managers and associates to drive operational execution. The manager also supports overall store operations by stepping in as acting Store Director when needed, managing storewide functions and covering calls. This is a full-time position based at Festival Foods in Wausau, Wisconsin. The work schedule includes mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays. The role works primarily in a temperature-controlled store environment, with occasional work in walk-in coolers or freezers and exposure to changing temperatures and humidity, cleaning agents, noise, and wet or slippery floors. Physical duties include prolonged standing and repetitive tasks, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, operating equipment, and frequently lifting up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least five years of relevant experience, including two years in a key leadership position.
Thorough knowledge of the retail food business and perishable department operations.
Proven merchandising skills and ability to make timely, effective decisions.
Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with guests and associates in a fast-paced environment.
Good organizational skills and ability to understand and learn operational systems.
Good oral and written communication skills and ability to handle a diverse crew.
Must have a Wisconsin Certified Food Manager License; Festival Foods will pay for certification if needed.
Ability to learn and use technology and department equipment, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, and Word) and Fresh department operating systems.
Thorough understanding of safety requirements and company safety policies, with ability to complete and apply on-the-job safety training, recognize and respond to hazards, and safely operate equipment.
Training and knowledge to use a hand jack, slicers, baler, trash compactor, fryer, oven, grinders, mixers, blaster, chiller, and cook-and-hold equipment or procedures.
Ability to stand in place for long periods, walk in the store, and bend, stoop, and kneel regularly.
Fine finger and broad manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination to operate equipment.
Full range of upper-body motion and ability to lift stock, including lifting up to 50 pounds frequently.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods.
Functional sensory abilities to visually monitor the store, create displays, and operate equipment.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience managing a department.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop associates across Bakery, Meat, Deli, and Produce, ensuring department goals for helpfulness and in-stock performance are achieved.
Train and mentor department leaders and associates, supporting their growth and preparation for future advancement.
Plan and organize department operations, balancing orders and coordinating vendors across departments.
Promote and deliver exceptional guest service and uphold the company’s boomerang principle.
Support overall store operations, including covering store calls, overseeing storewide operations, and managing perishable departments as needed.
Partner with Buying, Accounting, Store Operations, and HR support teams to support perishable department operations.
Monitor daily budgets and labor projections for Fresh departments and adjust schedules to optimize productivity and profitability.
Ensure compliance with sanitation standards and local and company food-safety guidelines.
Uphold asset protection policies and manage inventory to minimize shrink in perishable departments.
Ensure fresh department equipment is used and maintained properly and safely.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels and accurate pricing, and execute strong merchandising and display standards for in-line, end-cap, and seasonal displays.
Collaborate with the Store Director, Guest Service Manager, Center Store Senior Manager, and department teams on programs, store initiatives, and operational improvements.
Uphold safety policies, company procedures, and regulatory standards.
Maintain regular, timely attendance and provide adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

15% associate discount on grocery purchases for the associate and immediate household.
Weekly pay for hourly associates.
Premium pay for hourly associates on Sundays and select holidays: part-time associates receive an additional $1 per hour, and full-time associates receive time and a half.
Schedules provided two weeks in advance.
Vision insurance for part-time and full-time associates.
Two dental coverage options for 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.