Prepared Foods Manager

New Seasons Market; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

New Seasons Market is seeking a Prepared Foods Manager to lead the Prepared Foods department in Oregon, SW Washington. You will oversee staff, scheduling, training, and performance, while upholding food safety and customer service excellence.

The role emphasizes leadership, merchandising, and collaboration with store management. Responsibilities include inventory and ordering, tastings coordination, displays, and ensuring optimal product availability and customer experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years food service management/supervision required.
• Experience in customer service in retail/grocery preferred.
• Ability to plan, train, coach and lead staff; manage schedules and performance.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage all department staff, including scheduling, coaching and feedback.
• Maintain department merchandising standards and product rotation.
• Plan weekly ads, events and tastings; respond to store trends with management.
• Order products according to sales and seasonal needs; train staff on ordering.
• Build displays and arrange products for attractive presentations.
• Ensure in-stock conditions and inventory levels meet sales and margin goals.
• Maintain vendor relationships and communicate issues to management.
• Assist customers with product selection and provide product knowledge.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Scheduling & training

Communication

Tools

POS system

Inventory software

Job description

Job Title: Prepared Foods Manager
Department: Prepared Foods
Job Region: Oregon / SW Washington
Reports-To: Assistant Store Manager
Exemption Status (typically): Non-Exempt
Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year. Our in-store positions are likely to include evening, weekend, and holiday shifts per the needs of the business. Must complete and maintain any required food and work safety trainings/certifications.

About the role: Leads Prepared Foods department and staff, including financial stewardship, customer service, department conditions, merchandising, food safety, work safety, communication, hiring, training and performance management. Ensures the department provides an exceptional customer shopping experience, with the highest level of service and product knowledge. This is a management / leadership position. You are responsible for providing leadership in line with company values and promoting a positive and progressive work environment in alignment with our company mission, vision values and policies.

General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner by seeking opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Works a schedule that is informed by the needs of the business and may be subject to change seasonally or due to varying staffing needs and demonstrates reliable and predictable attendance, in accordance with attendance policy and all applicable laws.
• Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of department and whole store as needed.
• Demonstrates a solutions-oriented approach to problems or concerns.
• Represents company values. Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company “Speak Up & Listen” culture. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Conserves company resources.Works in a manner consistent with company mission, vision and values and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness, maintains equipment. Informs store/department management of any problems.
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific department or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making in completing job-related tasks, in behaviors in the workplace, and in interactions with co-workers, customers, and the community.
• Consistently utilizes the DEI lens in work tasks and when working with other teams and stakeholders.
• Builds trust and respect through dependability, organization and follow through.
• Promotes a collaborative team environment through recognition, leading by example and working alongside staff. Demonstrates approachability and fosters open communication. Creates an environment where staff are invested and encouraged to contribute ideas. Demonstrates a proactive approach in resolving staff issues and conflicts. Demonstrates ability to adapt approach to different learning styles among staff.

Position Responsibilities:

• Manages and provides oversight to all areas of the department. Directly manages all department staff, including review writing, scheduling and providing ongoing coaching, development and feedback. Assesses, prioritizes and delegates tasks and production.
• Ensures consistency of department conditions. Ensures all areas of department are stocked, rotated, faced and adhere to merchandising standards and category schematics.
• Responsible for in-stock conditions in department. Maintains appropriate inventory levels to achieve sales and margin goals.
• Orders Prepared Foods products according to anticipated sales and seasonal needs. Trains staff to write orders and production schedules consistent with department goals and standards to ensure the highest level of product availability.
• Builds displays and arranges department products to make attractive presentations, highlighting featured/unique/seasonal items.
• Plans for weekly ads, events and holidays using tools and reports. Works with store management to understand and respond to current store trends.
• Maintains professional vendor relationships.
• Coordinates with Operations department to plan and conduct in-store tastings.
• Ensures customer special orders are accurately placed and delivered.
• Receives and unloads merchandise; checks quality, count and condition. Communicates any issues to management and merchandising team.
• Stocks and rotates products with attention to product quality and expiration dates.
• Maintains the organization, rotation and cleanliness of backstock areas.
• Assists customers with product selection. Shares product knowledge with customers. Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs.
• Assists with food preparation and production. Wraps, weighs and prices products according to department policy.
• Processes customers’ made-to-order items accurately and expeditiously.
• Plans, leads and analyzes the monthly perishable inventory.
• Demonstrates ability to multitask and manage own time. Adjusts priorities, productivity, efficiency and speed based on needs and conditions of department and store.
• Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates an understanding of basic Human Resources concepts; works with resources at store level to increase knowledge. Establishes and maintains effective verbal and written communication systems.
• Tools and Equipment Used (not all-inclusive): This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (blast chiller, robot coupe, blender, slicer, mixer, kitchen smallwares, kettle, pallet jack, knife, range, thermometer, dishwasher, scale, oven, grill, cart, computer, and office equipment) basic housekeeping / janitorial and standard office equipment.

• This position works at a *medium level. Requiredfrequently and up to continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing, walking, bending, crouching, and stooping throughout shift. Sitting seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and/or ladders.

• Frequently required to use hands and wrists for grabbing, twisting and pulling.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned.

*Medium means the worker can occasionally (1 – 33%) lift 50 pounds and can lift or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds frequently (34 – 66%).

What you Bring as a Candidate:

• Previous customer service, food service such as restaurants or catering, retail or grocery experience required.
• 3 + years food service management/supervision required, preferably in a high-volume environment.
• Previous supervisory experience required.
• Previous ordering/inventory management experience required.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Friendly and customer service oriented, with an interest in food and cooking.
• Skills to manage financial results, including labor and profit margin.
• Skills to plan, prioritize and delegate work.
• Skills to train, coach and hold staff accountable.
• Familiarity with culinary terminology and techniques and industry standard equipment preferred.
• Basic math and computation skills required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, with skills to learn new computer programs and systems. Experience in recipe costing, inventory and ordering systems a plus.
• Skills to work independently, effectively manage own time and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, with high attention to detail, quality and presentation.
• Skills to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions and recipes.

Physical and Environmental Work Space: Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, depending on location may have stairs or elevators, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will offer reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.

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