Center Store Manager

About the role

Festival Foods is a Wisconsin grocer dedicated to community service and guest satisfaction. We operate over 40 full-service supermarkets across Wisconsin. This position is a Center Store Department Manager role.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership by working alongside Center Store associates, giving clear direction, coaching on best practices, and reinforcing company expectations.
• Execute daily operations by ensuring Grocery, Frozen/Dairy, Natural/Organic, and HBC/GM departments are stocked, organized, and meeting operational goals through leading associates and overseeing workflow.
• Manage inventory & orders by balancing orders, monitoring deliveries, and coordinating with vendors to maintain proper inventory levels across all assigned departments.
• Maintain a smooth workflow by troubleshooting issues, assisting in scheduling, and adjusting plans as needed to keep all departments running efficiently.
• Ensure department readiness by overseeing product stocking, pricing accuracy, and merchandising execution, ensuring all areas meet store standards.
• Lead coverage by providing leadership coverage as needed when the Senior Manager is unavailable, supporting overall store functions.
• Train and mentor Center Store associates, helping them expand their skills and gain experience, while fostering a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Cashier trained and ready to step in at the register, and/or support store closing procedures when needed.
• Collaborate across departments by communicating with other store leaders and teams to ensure alignment and resolve operational challenges.
• Ensure compliance & safety by upholding safety policies, company procedures, and regulatory standards to maintain a safe and efficient store environment.
• Honor commitments by regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
• Support the team by performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years of leadership experience with a strong ability to coach, motivate, and develop teams.
• Thorough knowledge of the retail food business, preferably in grocery or supermarket operations.
• Prior experience managing a center store department preferred.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively lead diverse teams and interact with customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and ability to learn and use various systems, including Point-Of-Sale register system.
• Understanding of store safety policies and ability to identify potential hazards.
• Ability to learn and safely use the following equipment: power jack, walk behind lift, WAV, baler, compactor.

Benefits

• Associate Discount: 15% off grocery purchases for you and your immediate household.
• Weekly Pay & Premium Pay: Hourly associates are paid weekly, providing more frequent access to their funds. Part-time store associates are paid a $1 premium per hour on Sundays and select holidays. Hourly full-time store associates receive time and a half on Sundays and select holidays.
• Two-Week Advanced Scheduling: Better planning, better balance. We provide associates with their schedules two weeks in advance, offering greater predictability & flexibility.
• Vision & Dental Insurance: Part-time and full-time associates are eligible for vision insurance and two dental coverage options that are designed to fit your needs.
• Support: Our associates receive support for their total well-being; including 3 weeks of paid parental leave, a fitness reimbursement program offering savings off of fitness membership fees; our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and LEAPCare Care Coaches, which provide associates confidential care related to hospital visitation, conflict resolution, stress management, marriage or divorce, family issues and depression or anxiety.
• Savings for Retirement: Offering a 401(k), we’re proud to support our associates in planning for retirement. The 401(k) plan empowers associates to save a portion of their paychecks for retirement. Festival Foods has an annual discretionary match to help our associates reach their savings goals.