Meat Department Manager

Citarella - The Ultimate Gourmet Market; Town of Southampton (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Citarella, The Ultimate Gourmet Market, is seeking an experienced Meat Department Manager to oversee daily operations, maintain premium meat quality, and lead a talented team. You will ensure exceptional guest service, strict food safety, and efficient inventory control to drive sales in a premier gourmet environment.

The role requires hands-on leadership, knowledge of beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, and a passion for delivering an exceptional shopping experience.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a meat department or butcher shop.
• Strong knowledge of meat cuts, handling, and safety.
• Experience with inventory, ordering, and shrink management.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily meat department operations and staff.
• Maintain meat quality, safety, and proper handling.
• Train, coach, and develop team members.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and displays to maximize sales.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Meat knowledge

Customer service

Food safety

Job description

Led by owner Joe Gurrera and his commitment to superior quality, Citarella has grown from a

respected New York City fish market into a premier gourmet food destination, with locations throughout New York City, the Hamptons, and Greenwich, Connecticut.

As a family-run business, we're passionate about exceptional food and outstanding customer service. From premium meats and fresh seafood to chef-prepared specialties and artisan products, we take pride in offering our customers the very best.

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Meat Department Manager to join our team and help uphold the quality, service, and expertise that define Citarella.

Role Overview

The Meat Department Manager oversees the daily operations of our Meat Department, ensuring exceptional product quality, outstanding customer service, and efficient department performance.

This hands-on leadership role is responsible for supervising and developing team members, maintaining inventory and merchandising standards, minimizing waste, and driving sales while ensuring compliance with food safety and sanitation requirements.

The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of premium meats, proven leadership experience, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional gourmet shopping experience.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Operations

• Lead, train, coach, and develop Meat Department associates to maintain high standards of performance and service.
• Oversee daily department operations, including staffing, scheduling, workflow, and productivity.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively and maintain appropriate department coverage.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team environment.

Product Quality & Meat Expertise

• Maintain exceptional standards for meat quality, freshness, preparation, and presentation.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and specialty meat products.
• Oversee proper meat handling, cutting, trimming, portioning, packaging, and storage practices.
• Ensure products are properly rotated, labeled, and displayed according to company standards.
• Manage product ordering, receiving, inventory levels, and stock rotation.
• Monitor shrink, spoilage, and waste while implementing effective loss-reduction practices.
• Support department sales, labor efficiency, and profitability goals.
• Maintain attractive, well-stocked displays that promote product quality and maximize sales opportunities.

Customer Service

• Deliver exceptional guest service by providing knowledgeable product recommendations and preparation guidance.
• Address customer questions, concerns, and special requests professionally.
• Encourage suggestive selling and promote premium and specialty products.
• Build lasting customer relationships through personalized service and product expertise.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety regulations.
• Maintain proper refrigeration, temperature controls, equipment cleanliness, and storage procedures.
• Enforce safe knife handling, meat-processing practices, and equipment operation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Previous supervisory or management experience in a meat department, butcher shop, specialty grocery store, or comparable food retail environment.
• Strong knowledge of meat cuts, preparation methods, product quality, and proper handling techniques.
• Experience managing inventory, ordering, merchandising, and shrink.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and maintain operational standards during busy periods.
• Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move products and supplies as required by department operations.
• Comfortable working with knives, meat-processing equipment, and other department tools while following established safety procedures.

At Citarella, you'll be part of a team that values craftsmanship, quality, and exceptional service. We offer the opportunity to share your expertise, develop your leadership skills, and contribute to a company with a longstanding reputation for excellence in gourmet food.

Bring your passion for premium meats and your leadership experience to Citarella, where quality and service come together every day.