Produce Department Manager

Citarella - The Ultimate Gourmet Market; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Wages

Medical/Dental/Vision

401k with Company Match

Employee Discounts

Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Citarella is seeking a Produce Department Manager to lead the produce team in our New York market. You will drive department profitability, oversee inventory and displays, manage schedules, and mentor staff to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The role requires knowledge of perishable handling, food safety, and strong communication skills to align with Citarella’s standards. You will collaborate with buyers on product assortment and ensure compliant operations while balancing staffing and

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience managing a produce department in a grocery store.
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends and holidays.
• Lift up to 75 lbs and stand for long periods.
• Strong knowledge of handling perishable items and product rotation.
• Food safety and sanitation knowledge.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Analytical thinking and math proficiency.
• Proficient with Outlook/Word/Excel.

Responsibilities

• Model and deliver exceptional guest service.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the produce department.
• Receive merchandise, break down pallets, manage invoices to Citarella standards.
• Manage department profitability, merchandising, guest service and staffing.
• Write schedules, approve PTO, manage timecards and labor.
• Supervise team members to meet service standards.
• Maintain department inventory levels and rotation.
• Collaborate with buyer on assortment and ordering.
• Ensure compliance with DOH, DOA and OSHA standards.
• Direct department opening and closing procedures; train and mentor staff.

Skills

Produce management

Customer service

Inventory control

Scheduling

Food safety

Excel

Team leadership

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Citarella is one of the most iconic premium food retailers in the United States, built on more than a century of culinary heritage and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Established in New York City in 1912 as a neighborhood seafood shop, the company has evolved into a family-run gourmet market destination known for “fresh from the source” standards, deep product expertise, and a hospitality-forward customer experience.

Today, Citarella operates specialty markets across New York City, the Hamptons, and Greenwich, Connecticut. The brand is widely recognized for extraordinary seafood and a best-in-class assortment of prime dry-aged meats, chef-prepared foods, scratch-made pastries, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, smoked fish, and a curated lineup of private-label products. Its reputation rests on craftsmanship, pride, operational discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Citarella’s next chapter requires scaling this high-standard, founder-driven business into a durable, professionally managed enterprise capable of sustained growth across markets and channels—while preserving the quality, culture, and customer intimacy that define the brand.

Role Overview:

As the Produce Department Manager, you are a key player in overseeing and managing all aspects of the produce department including but not limited to: department profitability, displays, oversee inventory control and leading the team to successfully drive business/sales. Our guest is the heart of our business. As the Produce Department Manager, you will be responsible for providing every guest with an exceptional shopping experience; listening and responding to their needs and being the subject matter expert of your department. All Produce Department Managers must have produce and perishable foods knowledge, hospitality skills, positive energy, be dependable, possess basic math skills and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Model and deliver exceptional guest service and ensure guest needs are met in a timely fashion.
• Oversee day to day operations of the produce department.
• Receive merchandise, break down pallets, manage vendor invoices and make sure product is to Citarella standards.
• Manage department profitability, merchandising, guest service, appearance, and team member supervision.
• Write department schedules, approve team members PTO time, maintain timecards and manage labor.
• Supervise team members ensuring service standards are always being met.
• Manage and maintain department inventory levels.
• Collaborate with buyer to ensure proper product assortment, merchandising, ordering and inventory control.
• Monitor quality, freshness, culling of merchandise, and safeguard proper product rotation. Adhere to all DOH, DOA and OSHA standards.
• Ensure department is cleaned and maintained throughout all shifts (produce displays, coolers, and work areas etc.)
• Maintain accurate department signage and pricing.
• Direct and support team members on department opening and closing procedures.
• Assist store leadership, as required, to select, train, develop, and mentor team members.
• Cultivate, develop and retain team members by way of motivation, and providing feedback.
• Adhere to all assigned duties by management team.
• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience managing a produce department in a grocery store environment.
• Flexibility schedule including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to perform physical requirements of job including standing during scheduled hours, kneeling, stooping, using stairs, lifting, push and pull items of usually 20-75 pounds.
• Vast knowledge of handling perishable items and product rotation.
• Food safety and sanitation knowledge.
• Ability to show initiative, work with limited supervision, and are self-motivated.
• Ability to hire, train, inspire and develop a team.
• Team builder and brand ambassador.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Analytical thinking and proficiency in math needed to perform job responsibilities.
• Proficient computer knowledge and skills; Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel

IN RETURN, WE OFFER!

• Competitive Wages
• Medical/Dental/Vision /Company sponsored life insurance benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Time Off
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match!

Citarella is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)