Food Manager

IKEA Gruppe; Tempe (AZ); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

WiselyPay

Parental leave

KinderCare discount

Retirement plans

Co-worker discount

Pet insurance

Education assistance

Safety shoe allowance

Telehealth

Dental & vision

Medical & Rx

Inclusive culture

Job summary

IKEA Gruppe in Tempe, AZ is seeking an experienced leader for its IKEA Food operation. You will lead multi-unit, high-volume food service, drive profitability, and ensure top safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities include developing the local business plan, training the team, managing budgets and schedules, and aligning with sustainability goals. A strong track record in hospitality leadership and regulatory compliance is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience: 7 years in multi-unit food service operations.
• Experience leading high-volume operations in QSR or Casual Dining.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong teamwork, delegation and feedback skills.
• Advanced HACCP and food safety knowledge.
• Experience with regulatory agencies and authorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example and act as a brand ambassador for IKEA Food.
• Develop and implement the location's IKEA Food business plan with cross‑team input.
• Oversee quality, safety and compliance per local laws and IKEA standards.
• Drive sales and profitability using KPIs and commercial reviews.
• Onboard and train the IKEA Food team for consistent performance.
• Monitor guest and co-worker satisfaction and operational KPIs.
• Manage budget, staffing, scheduling and performance outcomes.
• Support sustainability actions aligned with IKEA Direction.
• Ensure administration rules and guidelines are followed.

Skills

People leadership

Multi-tasking

Team collaboration

Strategic planning

Analytical thinking

HACCP knowledge

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

Why we will love you

Food is your passion, whether you're cooking or serving customers. You know food plays a vital role in creating a better everyday life for the many people – especially when it's honest, healthy and delicious.

What you'll be doing day to day

• Leads by example and be a good ambassador for the IKEA Brand in all contact with guests and give them a good reason to return. Empowers and encourages the IKEA Food team to take immediate action to meet the needs of guests and give input on how to continuously improve our meeting with them.
• Actively participates in creating the IKEA Food business plan for your location. Works with IKEA Food Service US organization to ensure national and global priorities are incorporated, as well as local needs. Works with the IKEA Food management team in your location to develop and implement an action plan to follow up on results.
• Oversees the IKEA Food operating areas within the IKEA store in accordance with IKEA Quality and Food Safety requirements as well as local legislation. Promotes a 'safety first' culture where co-workers are encouraged to raise and discuss concerns and solutions. Cooperates with external service providers and authorities when needed. Ensures that all food incidents, or potential incidents, are reported according to the IKEA U.S. Food Deviation and Incident Routine.
• Maximizes commerciality in order to grow sales as well as the conversion rate and average check leading to an increase in profitability using the Functional Commercial Review and other appropriate tools.
• Ensures the development of the IKEA Food team by securing consistent onboarding and continuous training to ensure all co-workers understand how their roles are impacted by the IKEA Concept, IKEA Food Concept, commercial and operational knowledge and other key guidelines.
• Ensures that IKEA Food attracts visitors, achieves sales growth and reasonable profitability, and measuring guest and co-worker's satisfaction as well as excellent operational performance through defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Grows the IKEA Food business, in order to sustain long-term profitability.
• Manages, develops, and leads the IKEA KPI performance, policies and procedures, annual budget, hiring and termination, scheduling and performance management.
• Acts in accordance with the IKEA Sustainability Direction and work with the IKEA Food team to take actions that contribute to sustainability, such as waste management and investments.
• Oversees the implementation of, and ensures compliance with IKEA Administration Rules & Guidelines within IKEA Food, utilizing the internal tool for tracking and follow-up on compliance.

Together as a team

Thanks to us, customers, co-workers and people at home can have a better everyday life through food that's good for both people and planet. Together we serve more than 660 million customers yearly at the IKEA restaurants worldwide, underlining our Scandinavian heritage by offering a modern taste of Sweden. We also offer a variety of foods in our bistros and in the 'Swedish Food market'. We are a diverse group of people who all live by the motto: Laughter is brightest in the place where the food is!

JOB TYPE – Permanent

Relocation: Domestic Relocation

The pay range for this role is $80,154- $115,021

• Generous paid time off, holiday and sick time
• WiselyPay – get earned wages up to two days early
• Paid parental leave (up to 16 weeks)
• KinderCare tuition discount
• Retirement and bonus plans
• Co-worker discount, meal deal, and referral bonus
• Pet insurance program
• Education assistance and learning programs
• Safety shoe reimbursement
• 24/7 telehealth visits
• Dental and vision plans
• Medical and Rx plans (must work min. 20 hrs/wk)
• A fun and inclusive work environment

The starting rate/ salary for this position ranges from 80,154 USD to 115,021 USD and will be based on relevant work experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience: 7 years.
• Experience in leading multi-unit high-volume food service operations in either QSR or Casual Dining Segments and proven track record of delivering business performance.
• Proven ability to multi task and handle changing priorities/deadlines.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Proven ability to deliver strong business results through delegating, setting priorities and giving open and honest feedback.
• Extensive analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to utilize this information to steer the business and meet agreed budgets and goals, as well as to develop mid term (3 years out) plans.
• Advanced knowledge of HACCP plans and food quality and safety systems.
• Experience working and communicating with regulatory agencies and authorities.