Meat Manager

New Leaf Community Markets; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Earning potential growth

Parental leave

Scheduling flexibility

Public transport

Job summary

New Leaf Community Markets in Santa Cruz is seeking a Meat Manager to lead the Meat Department, oversee daily operations, scheduling, training, and customer service, and drive department performance. You will manage staff, coordinate ordering, trimming, and display, ensure health and safety compliance, and mentor a team toward company standards of service.

Join a team grounded in community, quality, and sustainability.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; 3–5 years related experience.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules and procedure manuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English for customer service.
• Strong math and numerical skills for inventory, pricing, and waste management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates activities of workers in ordering, processing, and selling meats and poultry.
• Directs scheduling and staff development in the Meat Department.
• Trains staff on cutting, deboning, and safety procedures, and opens/closes procedures.
• Manages inventory and monthly inventory; controls shrink and costs.
• Ensures proper product display, quality, and customer service standards.
• Leads department meetings and coaches on upselling and product knowledge.

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

1213 - NL River Street, 650 River Street, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Expires Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 9:59 AM

Who is New Leaf Community Markets?

New Leaf Community Markets opened its doors as a small cooperative in 1985 on the Westside of Santa Cruz. We learned early on, that the well-being of our guests, staff, and community starts with sustainable, locally-produced food. Farm-to-table all the way! We’ve partnered with open-minded producers who care as deeply about our people, the planet, and social justice as we do, from day one.

Our mission is to be a purveyor of good – from offering the best local and natural foods to taking care of our staff, community, and environment. We love what we do, and we know that it’s our passionate staff who make it all possible. We’re committed to taking care of our people by leading the way with progressive employment practices.

Every day, we work to create an atmosphere of openness, caring, trust, and fairness – a place where staff can thrive, and differences are celebrated. As a member of the New Leaf Community Markets team, you can count on an inclusive, friendly environment and a welcoming group of inspired individuals who love people, great food, and being a part of a community gathering place.

Ingredients You’ll Bring to the Table:
You love food and have the ability to create an experience that is beyond the everyday. You have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment. You can connect with people and reach a level of hospitality that exceeds guests’ expectations. You are warm, outgoing, authentically amazing, and want to be inspired, challenged, and proud of where you work.
You embody the spirit of New Leaf Community Market's core values: Community, Integrity, Sustainability, Quality, and Respect; and you are driven by our mission to nourish and sustain our community by using business as a force for change.
What’s on Your Plate:

Job Title: Meat Manager

Department: Meat

Reports To: Store Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary

This is a management position. The Meat Manager will have the necessary confidence, commitment, and motivation to move his/her staff and his/herself towards success. Key personality and character traits needed to accomplish this are: patience, even temperedness, humbleness, humorous, good listening skills, observant, perceptive, supportive, decisive, flexible, analytical, consistent, progressive, provocative and an encourager and coach. Since this is a customer-service oriented and teacher position, the Meat Manager must also be smooth tempered and possess excellent people skills. Due to New Leaf Community Markets' goals and structure, the Meat Manager should also be open to growth and expansion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Meat Manager coordinates the activities of workers engaged in ordering, processing, and selling meats and poultry and maintaining frozen food lockers. The individual is also responsible for all aspects of the Meat Department operations with direction from the Sr. Director Meat/Seafood/Sushi, the Meat Merchandiser, and the Store Director by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates. (Other duties may be assigned):

• Prepares the weekly and daily work schedules and directs the activities of employees working in the Meat Department.
• Is responsible for the staffing, training and overall development of employees working in the Meat Department on a daily basis.
• Trains employee on cutting, trimming, deboning, and cleaning meats and poultry. Also trains on all opening and closing procedures for department.
• Responsible for training and follow-up for Meat Apprentice Program.
• Ensures proper documentation of training.
• Helps manage costs by controlling shrink and theft.
• Maintains the appropriate profit margin in accordance to approved pre-set budget, which entails, but is not limited to: sales goals, cost of goods, expenses, price changes and waste management.
• Assures high quality and proper quantity of products via proper ordering and receiving either through self or other employees.
• Orders product accurately and in a timely manner.
• Examines products bought for resale or received for storage.
• Logs all invoices on the daily and weekly log sheets.
• Manages and assures proper displaying and selling of all meat products to customers and advises customers on quality of food, method of handling, and other factors affecting preparing, freezing, and storage.
• Responsible for all employees practicing the same techniques.
• Conducts monthly department meetings.
• Engages and coaches others in suggestive selling techniques.
• Suggests development of new products to superiors. If approved, implements suggestions.
• Implements new product introduction, department demos, employee product knowledge and sales training.
• Responsible for monthly inventory.
• Consistently walks around the back of the case to check the view from the front to assure clean, visible, and plentiful display of product.
• Responsible for implementing and maintaining all marketing programs, including but not limited to weekly ads, price changes, merchandising, etc.
• Responsible for communication with the Store Director on all meat related issues.
• Responsible for communication with all Meat Department Employees.
• Responsible for using the tools provided by management to ensure the success of the department.
• Responsible for enforcing company policies.
• Responsible for entire Meat Department in serving customers with excellent service and adhering to the “15 Second Service” policy.
• Ensures the active practice of “7 Points to Extraordinary Service.”
• Handles customer complaints in such a manner to assure customer satisfaction.
• Conducts accident investigations and completes paperwork within accordance to Cal Osha SB-198.
• Maintains the Meat Department, including all cases, under current health codes and New Leaf Community Markets' standards on sanitation and cleanliness.
• Arranges for all equipment to be fixed and cleaned.
• Leads by example; models correct behavior and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Oversees the Seafood Department.
• Follows the employee handbook at all times, especially on service standards and appearance.
• At all times, meets and exceeds New Leaf Community Markets' standards in service, quality, and cleanliness.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Meat Manager manages 1-3 subordinate supervisors who supervise a total of 6-10 employees in the Meat Department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Also, directly supervises 6-10 employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with New Leaf Community Markets policies and all applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing; training Employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employee; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Customer Service Skills

The Meat Manager is expected to provide customer service that is extraordinary and exceeds the expectations of our customers. They are required to follow established policies and guidelines that go beyond simply smiling and greeting customers. Going above and beyond encompasses attitudes, respect, and flexibility. The Meat Manager is expected to have a positive “can-do” attitude; to treat others with respect; and easily adjust to changes in the workplace.

Education and/or Experience

High School diploma or general education degree (GED); three to five years related experience and /or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, or employees of New Leaf Community Markets.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to add, subtract, divide, and multiply using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to resolve conflicts in such a manner to create a win-win situation. Ability to analyze a variety of situations, think through to a solution and implement the solution.

This is a customer service driven position. The candidate must have the ability to speak, read and understand English.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee occasionally is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme heat and/or cold, to electrical shock, and to risk of burn. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. In addition, there is a high stress level.

Why You’ll Love Working at New Leaf Community Markets

• Amazing Benefits Package – Including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k at 28 hours a week.
• Great earning potential with the opportunity for growth within our family of brands
• Paid Parental Leave available
• Lifestyle Scheduling
• Public Transport