DELI TEAM manager

Are you passionate about food, are a natural leader and love working with people in a fast-paced environment? Our independent, family-owned and operated market in Palo Alto is looking for a Deli Manager who will help establish our market as the deli destination in the area. We’re looking for a candidate with excellent people skills and expertise in every aspects of the Deli department.

We offer competitive pay and benefits including paid sick leave, paid vacation, commuter benefits and a generous store discount. There are growth and advancement opportunities and you will be in an environment that supports your skill development and growth toward your career goals.

What you'll do: Responsibilities

  • Oversee every aspect of the Deli department, from operations, front-end deli, kitchen and food production, to buying and merchandising.

  • Provide leadership and day-to-day management to Deli department staff, including setting clear expectations and holding the team accountable

  • Ensure all department team members deliver an excellent experience that keeps customers coming back

  • Grow department sales and profits by setting and executing sales strategies and department-level execution of those strategies.

  • Own profit and loss responsibility, including controlling costs related to shrink, operations, and product for the department.

  • Help establish new - and improve existing -department procedures and standards that help maximize team efficiency, sales and profitability, product quality and customer happiness.

  • Set merchandising direction for the department, in line with standards of the company, including setting and maintaining plan-o-gram to grow and maximize sales and profits, and weekly sales plan execution.

  • Ensure a fresh, well-stocked and appealing displays of prepared foods, accurate department signage and pricing and clean and well-organized work area

  • Set and maintain product strategy to ensure we’re offering foods that are in line with what customers need and want and which will differentiate the deli department year-round and with changing seasons

  • Manage all buying and vendor relationships to ensure highest levels of product differentiation, customer value and profitability.

  • Support store programs by managing sales, promotions and events for the deli department.

  • Provide ongoing feedback and recommendations to upper management and owner based on competitive research, prior experience and ongoing expansion of knowledge and skills.

  • Maintain ongoing communication with upper management and other department managers on a regular basis, as well as through attendance of management meetings. The Deli manager will hold department meetings.

  • Ensure all team members are trained on  operational procedures, proper food preparation, safety techniques and health standards. You will be responsible for all training.

  • Operate with the highest level of honesty and integrity.

  • Manage department hours and scheduling to ensure appropriate staffing throughout the day.

  • Work side by side with team to set the best example and to meet daily department goals

  • Select, train, develop, mentor, motivate and counsel team members to sustain a high-performance team

  • Be a leader in the deli and kitchen, rallying the team during heavy shifts, resolving conflicts and getting the job done.

  • Maintain and monitor the use of temperature, production, spoilage, and department transfer logs

  • Ensure adherence to department opening and closing procedures

  • Follow and comply with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices

Who you are: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Proven skill and leadership qualities in the deli, including knowledge of general prepared foods department practices and procedures

  • Strong management skills, dealing with food, and also guiding the work of others

  • High attention to detail, maintaining quality and operations across food products, costs, safety, etc.

  • Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and can manage your time and effort effectively, as well as that of others

  • Highly organized, keeping work schedules, shipments, cleaning schedules and more

  • You’re a problem solver who can deal with and resolve conflict and challenges with team members, customers and vendors. Being able to come up with a solution quickly is a needed skill.

  • You’re able to deliver information in a clear and respectable manner to fellow team members and customers

  • You have a strong work ethic and integrity

  • You lead by example and consistently display behaviors and skills that set a standard and model for others

  • You work effectively with not only your own team but with fellow department managers for the overall success of the market  

  • You are able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

  • Knowledge of proper knife-handling skills

  • Basic proficiency with computer applications and programs including email, Google Drive, and operations related applications

Desired work experience

  • At least 5 years of deli / prepared foods selling experience (Culinary / Kitchen / Restaurant)

  • Experience managing and leading a team

  • Proven experience in customer service