Operations Manager

About Festival Foods

We are a Wisconsin grocer committed to giving back to the communities we serve and providing guests with exceptional service and value. We operate over 40 full-service supermarkets across Wisconsin. At Festival, people are at the top of our list—evident in our daily interactions, guest treatment, and extensive associate benefits and programs.

About the Role

The Operations Manager ensures smooth store operations by flexibly adapting and shifting focus based on daily business needs. This role supports Center Store and Fresh department teams, assists with cashier functions, and helps maintain store standards. Responsibilities include serving as manager-on-duty, stepping in where needed, resolving guest concerns, overseeing safety, and supporting evening closing procedures.

Responsibilities

• Create a Positive Environment: Model and maintain Festival Foods culture by fostering a productive, positive environment for associates and guests.
• Adapt to the Day: Make quick, effective decisions to adapt to changing business needs, prioritizing helpfulness and in-stock availability.
• Offer Helpful Guest Service: Actively promote and execute exceptional guest service, ensuring an outstanding experience and living out our boomerang principle to keep guests returning.
• Provide Leadership Support: Serve as manager-on-duty when needed, supporting overall store operations, including managing departments.
• Develop Associates: Coach and train associates on best practices, policies, and procedures, emphasizing freshness, in-stock, helpfulness, and food safety. Document policy violations and conduct progressive discipline in partnership with HR and store leadership.
• Meet Department Standards: Observe sales floor and back stock conditions, taking action to correct areas of opportunity.
• Communicate and Collaborate: Partner with the Store Director, Fresh Sr. Manager, Center Store Sr. Manager, and associates to maintain standards and exceed guest expectations during assigned shifts.
• Ensure Food Safety: Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards, adhering to guidelines set by local and company officials.
• Reduce Waste: Uphold asset protection policies and ensure proper inventory management, focusing on minimizing shrinkage in all departments.
• Merchandise Product: Support the merchandising and maintenance of displays, ensuring all specialty floor displays meet high standards of freshness and visual appeal.
• Prioritize Safety: Review and enforce occupational safety standards and policies, ensuring a safe work environment. Complete and file incident and accident reports, and report all violations.
• Honor Commitments: Maintain regular, timely attendance in accordance with the work schedule.
• Support the Team: Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven merchandising skills, with the ability to make timely and effective decisions.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with guests and associates.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to learn operational systems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to manage a diverse crew in a fast-paced environment.
• Thorough understanding of all safety requirements and company safety policies, including proper lifting techniques and box cutter safety.
• Ability to complete and apply on-the-job safety training to recognize and react to possible safety hazards on store premises, and safely operate equipment (e.g., forklift, harness, power jack, walk-behind lift, WAV, baler, compactor).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to stand for long periods, walk, bend, stoop, and kneel regularly.
• Fine finger and broad manual dexterity, with eye-hand-foot coordination to operate equipment.
• Full range of upper body motion to occasionally lift stock, with frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Functional sensory abilities to visually monitor the store, create displays, and operate equipment.
• Ability to work in a temperature-controlled environment, with occasional short periods in walk-in coolers, freezers, or outdoors.
• Exposure to changing temperature and humidity (e.g., freezers, coolers, kitchen, ovens, fryers), chemical cleaning agents, irritating noises, and wet or slippery floors.

Schedule

The Operations Manager is a full-time position, typically working four ten-hour days per week (Wednesday through Saturday) with three days off. Shifts often extend until close (approximately 10:00 PM). The schedule may include weekdays, weekends, and holidays to support retail grocery operations.

Benefits

• Associate Discount: 15% off grocery purchases for you and your immediate household.
• Weekly Pay & Premium Pay: Hourly associates are paid weekly. Part-time associates receive a $1 premium per hour on Sundays and select holidays. Full-time hourly associates receive time-and-a-half on Sundays and select holidays.
• Two-Week Advanced Scheduling: Schedules are provided two weeks in advance for better planning and work-life balance.
• Vision & Dental Insurance: Part-time and full-time associates are eligible for vision insurance and two dental coverage options.
• Support Programs: Includes 3 weeks of paid parental leave, a fitness reimbursement program, EAP (Employee Assistance Program), and LEAPCare Care Coaches for confidential support related to personal or professional challenges.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Festival Foods offers a 401(k) with an annual discretionary match to help associates save for retirement.