Deli & Prepared Foods Department Manager
Who We Are
Food is the foundation of good health. Forty Acres Fresh Market (FAFM) is an independent, Black woman-owned grocery business offering high-quality, fresh food to people across Chicagoland. We are working to restore healthy food access so that people across Chicago neighborhoods can have a worthwhile grocery experience regardless of zip code. Forty Acres Fresh Market operates its brick and mortar store in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood in 2025 and is seeking a like-minded person to join the management team.
Who You Are
We are seeking an experienced, detail and results oriented Deli/Prepared Foods Manager who is eager to take on the challenge of developing and running a department in a new store. This individual must be well trained in using kitchen appliances, sharp knives, slicers, and all other tools and techniques for preparing hot and cold meal solutions.
The Job
Forty Acres Fresh Market is looking for a manager to play a pivotal role in the success of our new grocery store by overseeing the daily operations of our Deli/Prepared Foods (Mabel’s Meals) department. We are looking for an enthusiastic manager who is dedicated to a people first management style that will drive store sales and profitability. This detailed oriented person will help ensure the highest standards of product quality, while providing best in class customer service.
Duties
- Directs and manages all functions and activities of the Deli & Prepared Foods (Mabel’s Meals) Department.
- Achieve budgeted financial goals and ensure profitability through tracking labor costs, inventory and sales, and reducing losses due to shrink, damage, and pilferage.
- Oversees department personnel, including interviewing, hiring, training, and developing team members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining team members as necessary; scheduling, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Create an environment that makes customers feel welcome, important, and appreciated.
- Aid with store promotional, advertising, and sales event planning.
- Closely collaborate with store and department managers to repurpose store inventory, develop new recipes or specials, and have a cohesive store product mix that promotes the profitability of the store.
- Supervise daily production of the deli menu, including hot food, salads, sandwiches, soups, and cold packaged meals to maintain high food quality and efficient production standards that are in accordance with food safety and company standards.
- Maintains exceptional food quality and safety will be essential to ensure proper presentation of Mabel’s Meals, which will offer both hot and cold meal solutions for customers.
- Makes fine judgements about aroma, flavor, taste, texture, and color to inspect prepared foods for quality and freshness.
- Consistently review competitive pricing for key performance items in the market and report changes to store management and pricing coordinator.
- Ensure proper use of a wide variety of kitchen equipment and appliances to include, but not limited to, mixer, slicers, ovens, sharp knives, and fryers.
- Monitor and control expenses and waste in the department, including maintaining correct portion sizes to prevent shrink.
- Assist store manager in preparing store/department budget, profit and loss reviews, and take appropriate action on all financial reports.
- Order all deli products, ingredients, and supplies from authorized vendors. Manage the receiving process including: 1) checking the load for quality/shortage/overage and code dating the case; 2) proper storage of product following food safety and inventory controls; 3) verify that costs on invoices to find any changes; 5) call in all credits and ensure credit is received.
- Adhere to all food safety regulations and guidelines: Prepare foods according to food temperature logs and follow cooking instructions; Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and recorded.
- Oversee the upholding of all Health Department requirements, department cleanliness and sanitation including 1) preparing and logging all food temperatures in cases and during production 2) Maintaining a clean department and store 3) safe use of cleaning equipment and chemicals.
- Report all safety risks and reinforce safety programs by notifying and identifying store management with unsafe conditions, illegal activity which may include robbery, theft, or mis-suse of company property.
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Requirements
- HS Diploma or equivalent
- Minimum 4 years relevant experience in food service, particularly in a deli, quick service, or restaurant environment; 2 years in a management role
- Must be capable of providing and modeling exceptional customer service
- Proficiency in food planning and preparation, sanitation, and food handling
- Proficiency in completing cost analysis and reviewing invoices
- City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate, or ability to acquire within 30 days of employment
- Experience with recipe creation (including cost calculation) across a variety of cuisines
- Restaurant, retail, or management experience preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with recipe creation (including cost calculation) across a variety of cuisines
- Restaurant, retail, or management experience preferred
Other Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Ability to manage time effectively, and prioritize task
- Detail oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups
- Able to work a flexible schedule with various shifts, including weekends and holidays, as determined by the store/business needs and as required to ensure adequate store staffing, and ability to be reached as needed after hours
- Able to work with hot ovens, sharp knives, and slicers
- Able to work with frequent temperature changes for extended periods of time
- Able to work under occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff
- Able to enter the coolers and freezers thereby being subjected to and withstanding frequent temperature changes for extended periods of time
- Able to work with a reliable source of transportation, as this role requires timeliness in overseeing the entire deli department
Job Type
Full-time
Salary
$58,000 per year
Benefits
- Healthcare Reimbursement Plan
- Up to 40 hours paid sick time annually
- Up to 80 hours paid vacation time annually
- 10% in store employee discount (excludes alcohol and hot Mabel’s Meals)
Equal Opportunity Employer
Forty Acres Fresh Market is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.