Retail Operations Leader - Food, Grocery & Catering

Palmer Food Service; Ridgeland (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO, Holiday and Sick)

401k with Employer Matching

Profit-Sharing Bonus eligibility

Employee Discount on Retail Groceries

Discount on Warehouse Food Products

Job summary

Palmer Food Services in Rochester, NY seeks a Manager of Retail Operations to lead Prepared Foods, Catering, Grocery and cross‑functional Market teams, guiding daily operations and staff development.

Responsibilities include leadership by example, overseeing menus and recipes, managing food costs and inventory, scheduling, training, and ensuring exceptional customer service. This is a full‑time, on‑site leadership role with flexibility for evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 4 years of food service, restaurant, catering, retail, grocery, or related industry experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership or management experience; leading teams in kitchen, restaurant, catering, prepared foods, or retail preferred.
• Experience with menu development, recipe creation, food costing, inventory management, ordering, and team leadership.
• Catering experience from planning through execution preferred.
• Retail grocery experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of food cost management, gross profit analysis, inventory control, and labor management.
• Knowledge of food safety and HACCP principles.
• Experience with Yellow Dog inventory software preferred.
• Experience with Micros, Target warehouse management, and RSM systems preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead by example in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Live and exemplify company values, nurturing an environment that motivates associates to reach their full potential and contribute to the team and customers.
• Lead by example and champion Values in Action.
• Lead, coach, develop, and motivate associates and Team Leads to achieve departmental and company goals.
• Directly supervise department associates and Team Leads, including scheduling, payroll review, training, performance management, and day-to-day workflow management.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and development of associates.
• Foster a team-oriented culture focused on customer service, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Serve as Manager on Duty and provide leadership support across all Market departments as required.
• Oversee daily operations of Prepared Foods and Catering, ensuring quality, presentation, freshness, and service.
• Develop and maintain menus, recipes, and seasonal offerings.
• Coordinate catering from order to delivery and follow-up.
• Monitor costs, margins, and department profitability.
• Ensure recipes and production standards are followed; support product sampling and promotions.

Skills

Leadership

People Management

Menu Development

Inventory Management

Cost Control

Customer Service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Yellow Dog

Micros

Target

RSM

Job description

Palmer Food Services in Rochester, NY seeks a Manager of Retail Operations to lead Prepared Foods, Catering, Grocery and cross‑functional Market teams, guiding daily operations and staff development.

Responsibilities include leadership by example, overseeing menus and recipes, managing food costs and inventory, scheduling, training, and ensuring exceptional customer service. This is a full‑time, on‑site leadership role with flexibility for evenings and weekends.