Perishable Manager, Grocery Retail

Executive Leadership Solutions; Wawasee Village (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Leadership Solutions seeks a Perishable Manager to oversee daily operations of Produce, Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery, and Floral, ensuring top quality, service, and compliance with food safety standards.

You will lead department teams, drive sales and margins, monitor inventory and shrink, and coach managers to uphold planograms, promotions, and seasonal programs while partnering with the Store Director on staffing and scheduling.

Qualifications

• Oversee perishable departments to ensure freshness and quality.
• Maintain inventory levels and FIFO practices.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Lead and develop perishable department managers and staff.
• Drive sales and margin while reducing shrink.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily oversight to perishable department managers and associates.
• Ensure outstanding customer service and quality standards across perishable areas.
• Monitor inventory, ordering, and production schedules for in-stock conditions while minimizing shrink.
• Ensure proper product handling, storage, rotation (FIFO), and merchandising across all perishable departments.
• Collaborate with managers to execute planograms, promotions, and seasonal programs.
• Maintain HACCP, sanitation, and safety compliance.
• Track sales, labor, waste, and margin; take corrective actions.
• Lead staff development and succession planning.
• Support new item introductions, product transitions, and category resets.
• Respond to and resolve customer concerns and product quality issues promptly.

Skills

People leadership

Customer service

Inventory management

Food safety

Communication

Team coaching

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Title: Perishable Manager
Reports to: Store Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Perishable Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, performance, and merchandising of all perishable departments, including Produce, Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery, and Floral. This role ensures high-quality products, exceptional customer service, proper inventory management, and adherence to food safety standards across all perishable areas.

The Perishable Manager leads department teams, drives sales and gross profit, minimizes shrink, and ensures consistent execution of company standards. This position plays a key role in coaching department managers, supporting merchandising initiatives, and maintaining excellent store conditions within all perishable departments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Provide daily oversight and leadership to all perishable department managers and associates.
2. Ensure all perishable areas deliver outstanding customer service and maintain company quality standards.
3. Monitor inventory levels, ordering practices, and production schedules to achieve optimal in-stock conditions while minimizing shrink.
4. Ensure proper product handling, storage, rotation (FIFO), and merchandising across all perishable departments.
5. Partner with department managers to ensure execution of planograms, promotional sets, seasonal programs, and weekly ads.
6. Maintain strict adherence to food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and HACCP procedures.
7. Monitor department financial performance, including sales, labor, waste, and margin, and take corrective action as needed.
8. Conduct regular walks of all perishable departments to assess product freshness, cleanliness, merchandising, and associate performance.
9. Train, develop, and coach perishable department managers and associates, supporting skill growth and succession planning.
10. Support new item introductions, product transitions, and category resets.
11. Respond to and resolve customer concerns and product quality issues promptly and professionally.
12. Work closely with Store Director on staffing, scheduling, performance reviews, and operational planning.
13. Ensure compliance with company policies, safety regulations, and operational procedures.
14. Assist with special events, sampling programs, holiday planning, and seasonal merchandising in perishable departments.
15. Perform other duties as assigned to support perishable operations and overall store success.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

1. Operational Expertise: Deep understanding of perishable categories including fresh production, food safety, rotation, and merchandising.
2. Leadership: Coaches and supports department managers, fostering teamwork and accountability.
3. Customer Focus: Ensures high-quality products and exceptional service throughout perishable areas.
4. Business Acumen: Tracks performance metrics and drives improvements in sales, shrink, and labor management.
5. Communication: Provides clear direction and feedback to department leaders and associates.
6. Problem-Solving: Identifies operational issues and implements effective solutions quickly.
7. Planning & Organization: Successfully manages multiple departments, priorities, and deadlines.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Perishable Manager
Reports to: Store Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Perishable Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, performance, and merchandising of all perishable departments, including Produce, Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery, and Floral. This role ensures high-quality products, exceptional customer service, proper inventory management, and adherence to food safety standards across all perishable areas.

The Perishable Manager leads department teams, drives sales and gross profit, minimizes shrink, and ensures consistent execution of company standards. This position plays a key role in coaching department managers, supporting merchandising initiatives, and maintaining excellent store conditions within all perishable departments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Provide daily oversight and leadership to all perishable department managers and associates.
2. Ensure all perishable areas deliver outstanding customer service and maintain company quality standards.
3. Monitor inventory levels, ordering practices, and production schedules to achieve optimal in-stock conditions while minimizing shrink.
4. Ensure proper product handling, storage, rotation (FIFO), and merchandising across all perishable departments.
5. Partner with department managers to ensure execution of planograms, promotional sets, seasonal programs, and weekly ads.
6. Maintain strict adherence to food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and HACCP procedures.
7. Monitor department financial performance, including sales, labor, waste, and margin, and take corrective action as needed.
8. Conduct regular walks of all perishable departments to assess product freshness, cleanliness, merchandising, and associate performance.
9. Train, develop, and coach perishable department managers and associates, supporting skill growth and succession planning.
10. Support new item introductions, product transitions, and category resets.
11. Respond to and resolve customer concerns and product quality issues promptly and professionally.
12. Work closely with Store Director on staffing, scheduling, performance reviews, and operational planning.
13. Ensure compliance with company policies, safety regulations, and operational procedures.
14. Assist with special events, sampling programs, holiday planning, and seasonal merchandising in perishable departments.
15. Perform other duties as assigned to support perishable operations and overall store success.

CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

1. Operational Expertise: Deep understanding of perishable categories including fresh production, food safety, rotation, and merchandising.
2. Leadership: Coaches and supports department managers, fostering teamwork and accountability.
3. Customer Focus: Ensures high-quality products and exceptional service throughout perishable areas.
4. Business Acumen: Tracks performance metrics and drives improvements in sales, shrink, and labor management.
5. Communication: Provides clear direction and feedback to department leaders and associates.
6. Problem-Solving: Identifies operational issues and implements effective solutions quickly.
7. Planning & Organization: Successfully manages multiple departments, priorities, and deadlines.

Requirements

Position Requirements:

• High school diploma required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in grocery perishable departments; prior management experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of perishables operations including ordering, inventory, merchandising, and food safety.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in refrigerated and freezer environments and lift up to 50 lbs. as needed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Work Environment:

• Frequent exposure to perishable environments (coolers, freezers, prep areas).
• Fast-paced, hands-on role requiring regular movement, lifting, and multitasking.
• Regular customer interaction and coordination across multiple store departments.