Food Production Manager

The Fresh Market Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team Member discount up to 40%

Early Earn Wage Access

401K contribution and company match

Financial Wellness Program

Personal time off and additional time-

Job summary

The Fresh Market in Chicago, IL is seeking a Production Manager to lead the department and ensure best-in-class products and guest service. You will guide team members, set and maintain standards, and drive efficiency in the early-morning shift to deliver a superior dining experience.

You will report to the Store Operations Manager and champion leadership, hospitality, and teamwork across the department. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and cost-conscious operations.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of progressive management experience in retail, supermarkets, or related fields.
• Strong leadership and guest-service focus with goal achievement.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
• Flexible schedule incl. evenings, weekends and holidays; proficient with POS.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and assist all functions of the Production department.
• Oversee production for key items to support deli, meat, bakery, and prepared foods.
• Receive/stock goods following rotation standards to prevent excess.
• Manage product to reduce shrink and damage.
• Lead teams in early morning production while maintaining quality.
• Provide coaching and training to develop team members.
• Create schedules aligning production with guest shopping hours.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Guest experience

Communication

Scheduling tools

POS systems

Food safety

Education

Associate's degree in business or related field

Tools

POS systems

Scheduling tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Fresh Market & You:

Our mission is to make everyday eating extraordinary for our guests. We create a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience through exceptional, personal service. We’re looking for a leader who brings positive energy, strong character, and a commitment to excellence every day. We value teamwork, celebrate our shared success, and look forward to the impact you’ll make on our store, our team, and our community.

Our added benefits for joining The Fresh Market team

• Team Member discount up to 40%


• Early Earn Wage Access (You can access up to 50% (max $500) of your earned wages on-demand per pay period)


• 401K contribution and company match


• Financial Wellness Program

• Personal time off and additional time off purchase plans are available


• Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance for individual, spouse, partner, and family


• Discounts on pet insurance, daycare, event tickets, and many more.

About the Position:

Do you have a passion forproduction? Can you deliver a first-class experience for guests? As our Production Manager, you will take the lead in managing team members and the department's operational procedures and standards to provide the best products and the best complete meal solutions for our guests. Because you will be working with your team members and product continuously throughout the early morning, this is a fast-paced position that requires efficiency and effectiveness, and a passion for excellence to drive results. This role reports to the Store Operations Manager and embodies a culture of leadership, hospitality, excellence, and teamwork.

The pay range for this position is $22.08 - $27.60 per hour.

What You'll Do:

• Direct, manage, and assist all functions of theProduction department and demonstrate excellence for your team and guests


• Managing the production for key items to support Deli-CMS, Meat-Seafood, Bakery, and Producedepartments


• Properly receiving/stocking goods that follow rotation standards when replenishingproduct levels


• Manageproducttoreduceshrink/damage


• Direct teams to handle,cut,and prepare a variety of thedepartment'smeat, cheeses,bread, prepacked produce, andconvenient meal solutionsin the early morningwhile maintaining quality product levels as indicated within TFM standards.


• Provide team members through The Fresh Market Academy, including “on-the-job” and online training, to provide excellent guest service safely and securely while maintaining efficiency and minimizing product loss


• Led, engage,motivate,and manage team members to provide excellent guest service


• Provide coaching for team members to further their development and increase retention


• Create and manage team schedules, aligningproduction to supportguest shopping hours to ensure guests receive a first-class experience


• Ensure department adherence to all safety requirements and protocols, including food safety per TFM policies and per law.

Availability:

To meet the needs of our stores, guests, and teams, this position requires the willingness to work a schedule of 3 am – 11 am with days off typically being Sunday and Wednesday of each week.

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS

At a minimum, what you’ll need:

• 1+ years of progressive management experience in supermarkets, retail, restaurants, hotels, or general business.


• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.


• Proven ability to deliver an exceptional guest experience while achieving performance goals.


• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.


• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.


• Basic proficiency with POS systems, scheduling tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.


• Food safety certification, or ability to obtain post hire.


• Must be 21 years of age or older.

Preferred qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in business, retail management, or related field; or equivalent experience.


• Experience in grocery, fresh food retail, hospitality or high-volume specialty retail environment


• Knowledge of inventory management systems and financial reporting.


• Bilingual skills a plus.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

The Fresh Market is a proud, equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Reasonable Accommodation: Consistent with applicable laws, The Fresh Market will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and team members, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to The Fresh Market. This guiding principle applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring and job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

The statements in this job posting describe the general nature and level of work expected in this role but are not all-inclusive. The Fresh Market looks forward to talking with interested candidates to share additional details about the applicable responsibilities, duties, and skills required