Prepared Foods Assistant Team Leader

New Seasons Market; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

New Seasons Market seeks a Prepared Foods Assistant Team Leader to support the department leadership in product management, merchandising, and guest service. You will help educate staff, maintain product quality, and ensure attractive presentations in Prepared Foods & Cheese.

The role requires experience in kitchen or restaurant settings, strong customer service, and the ability to manage multiple tasks with initiative and a team focus.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in kitchen, restaurant, or food service.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of inventory, rotation, and gross profit concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and train team members; set expectations and coach performance.
• Support product management, merchandising, and promotions.
• Assist in determining product selections and displays.
• Maintain stocking standards and inventory control.
• Coordinate with the Team Leader on vendor relations and daily ops.
• Ensure high-quality presentation and guest experience.
• Handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Inventory management

Merchandising

Training & coaching

Time management

Vendor relations

Job description

THE ROLE

As a key member of the Prepared Foods Department leadership team, the Prepared Foods Assistant Team Leader has a breadth of responsibilities spanning from product management and merchandising to sales and team member development. In this role, you help to ensure team members are educated about our products and that exceptional product quality and aesthetic presentation are upheld within our Prepared Foods & Cheese Departments. Our fast-paced environment requires our store leaders to successfully prioritize a variety of tasks (production, sales floor execution, administrative tasks, and service to our guests) throughout each workday.

MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU’D DO

• Complete our Prepared Foods training program to build the knowledge and skills needed for success. The program is 24–32 hours, depending on role, and begins immediately following orientation at a designated Metropolitan Market training store.
• Provide outstanding customer service and readily communicate product information to increase sales, meet revenue goals, and best serve guests.
• Participate in determining order quantities and verifying the cost of goods.
• Assist the Prepared Foods Team Leader with determining product selections; perform category management functions as assigned by the Prepared Foods Team Leader or as needed.
• Assume primary responsibility for store-level vendor relations, including in-store daily operations and meetings.
• Maintain product inventory at a level that supports creative, effective sales merchandising and maximizes sales potential.
• Assist the Prepared Foods Team Leader with developing and maintaining product displays that create an exciting marketplace and impact guest buying trends.
• Readily participates in product promotions and focuses.
• Train team members and provide clear expectations, performance feedback, coaching, and counseling.
• Maintain stocking standards that ensure high product quality, including rotation procedures. Incorporate cleaning with culling, stocking, and rotation requirements.
• Prevent internal and external loss, conduct physical inventories, and practice inventory control.
• Ensures all outdated products are pulled, recorded, and discarded from the Prepared Foods sales areas daily; determines proper replacement product quantities and promptly restocks in compliance with established guidelines.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Successful experience leading within a team setting.
• Three years of kitchen or restaurant experience required.
• Four years of customer service experience required.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• A high level of self-motivation and initiative.
• Ability to problem solve and have proven success working in a diverse team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of food, including ingredients, applications, pronunciations, and culinary skills.
• Must possess knowledge of food safety, HACCP/Department of Health guidelines, inventory management, and gross profits and labor percentages.
• Curiosity and a desire to learn.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based upon business needs, including nights and weekends.