Retail Assistant Site Manager (Fresh Food)

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Dublin; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Hollybank Trustees Ltd in Dublin is seeking a hands-on Retail Assistant Site Manager (Fresh Food) to oversee busy forecourt operations, drive food quality, compliance and customer service while leading multiple departments.

You will develop teams, manage stock and costs, engage in promotions, and ensure safe, compliant operations. Minimum 5 years in fresh food/retail management and HACCP certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience managing a fresh food/food service or multi food operation/site.
• Experience managing high-volume food-to-go or fast-food environments.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety, health & safety, and retail compliance requirements.
• Experience managing stock, cost of goods, waste control and labour scheduling.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver excellent customer service standards.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day management of the retail site, ensuring departments operate efficiently.
• Oversee fresh food operations, maintaining high quality standards.
• Support the Site Manager in delivering operational excellence.
• Ensure staffing aligns with company standards.
• Act as a key manager in the Site Manager's absence.
• Monitor performance and implement improvements where needed.
• Lead and develop team members to achieve high performance.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable work environment.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding and retention initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement across the site.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Team development

Customer service

Retail management

KPI analysis

Education

Bachelor’s in Retail Management or Business

HACCP certification

Food safety training

Tools

POS systems

Stock management software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: On site / Dublin, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Commercial & Marketing | Retail
Salary: Negotiable salary

The Retail Assistant Site Manager (Fresh Food) is responsible for supporting the overall management of a busy retail forecourt and foodservice operation. The role focuses on delivering exceptional customer experiences, maintaining the highest standards of food quality and compliance, leading and developing teams, and driving commercial performance across the site. The role will have overall responsibility for fresh food departments across the site while holding full responsibility for the site in the absence of the Site Director.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader with strong fresh food and retail management experience, capable of managing multiple departments while ensuring smooth daily operations of the site and achieving business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Support the day-to-day management of the retail site, ensuring all departments operate efficiently and effectively.
• Oversee foodservice and fresh food operations, ensuring high standards are maintained at all times.
• Support the Site Manager in delivering operational excellence across the business.
• Ensure all departments are appropriately staffed and operating within company standards.
• Act as a key manager, taking responsibility for site operations in the absence of the Site Manager.
• Monitor operational performance and implement improvements where required.
• Lead, motivate, coach and develop team members and department managers to achieve high performance.
• Build a positive and engaging working environment that promotes teamwork and accountability.
• Conduct performance reviews, probation reviews and return to work interviews.
• Identify training and development opportunities.
• Manage employee performance issues in line with company policies and procedures.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and retention initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, learning and development.

Fresh Food & Customer Experience

• Ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality fresh food products and food offerings.
• Maintain excellent customer service standards across all areas of the business.
• Monitor customer feedback and implement actions to improve the customer experience.
• Ensure food presentation, availability and merchandising standards are consistently achieved.
• Drive sales growth through effective merchandising, promotions and customer engagement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiencies.
• Manage stock levels effectively to maximise availability while minimising waste.
• Monitor departmental performance against key business targets and KPIs.
• Support the delivery of site budgets and cost control measures.
• Oversee stock ordering, stock control and inventory management processes.
• Ensure stock losses and waste are effectively managed and minimised.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting relating to stock and waste control.
• Drive initiatives to improve profitability through effective stock management.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health and safety, and company operational standards.
• Report and investigate accidents and incidents, reviewing risk assessments where required to mitigate future risks.
• Ensure all mandatory health and safety training is completed and maintained.
• Monitor site compliance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Maintain a safe working environment for employees, customers and contractors.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Liaise with the Marketing team to support promotional campaigns, site events and sales-driving activities.
• Collaborate with support functions and specialist teams to access expertise and ensure best practice is followed.
• Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and key stakeholders.
• Support the implementation of company initiatives and projects across the site.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience managing a fresh food/ food service or multi food operation /site.
• Experience managing high-volume food-to-go, or fast-food environments.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety, health & safety, and retail compliance requirements.
• Experience managing stock, cost of goods, waste control and labour scheduling.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver excellent customer service standards.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience driving sales and controlling costs.
• Demonstrable experience of business growth.
• Relevant qualification in Retail Management, Food Management or Business (desirable).
• HACCP or Food Safety certification.
• Train the Trainer/Training Delivery and Evaluation Qualification.
• Excellent IT skills and information analysis skills
• May be suitable for candidates with previous experience in grocery or quick service management
• Understands key retail and foodservice performance drivers.
• Identifies opportunities to grow sales and improve profitability.
• Results-driven with a focus on achieving business objectives.
• Ability to analyse KPI`s, identify gaps and provide plans and solutions.
• Strong ability to manage labour and cost of goods targets and aligning to business performance.
• Highly organised with strong administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation and follow-through capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong analytical and operational problem-solving skills.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership presence and positive attitude.
• Leads by example with a hands-on management style.
• Open, approachable and collaborative.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build strong working relationships at all levels.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing business needs.
• Customer-focused with a passion for fresh food retailing.
• Highly accountable and committed to achieving results.
• Resilient and capable of managing a busy, fast-paced operation.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety and customer service.
• Willingness to learn all encompassing areas of the site such as fuel and retail offerings.

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours: Flexibility required, including weekends and peak trading periods. The successful candidate will work on a five over seven roster across all shifts between trading hours of 5.30am - 10.30pm.