Prepared Foods Manager

Description

The Belfast Community Co-op is growing the Prepared Foods Department and looking for a Prepared Foods Manager to lead the way. The ideal candidate is an experienced leader seasoned in developing department programming that is exciting, nutritious, well-balanced, and inclusive. They are proficient in developing and maintaining strategic plans, balancing and maintaining margin and sales goals, and menu development. 

The Prepared Foods Manager is responsible for all aspects of the department, which includes the kitchen, cheese and specialty foods, and bakery. Responsibilities include developing and implementing department programming, establishing and monitoring a strong product mix by category, enforcing food safety standards, and managing the financial performance of all arms of the department. 

The Prepared Foods Manager oversees the Kitchen Manager, Bakery Coordinator, and Cheese and Specialty Foods Buyer in overseeing the production and execution of prepared hot and cold food items, bakery, and cheese and specialty items as well as overseeing the recruitment, training, and supervision of all department workers; This position works closely with the Operations Manager in planning and strategizing for future growth and opportunities. The Belfast Community Co-op’s mission is to bring locally sourced, reasonably priced, organic and natural products to all while fostering an environment where everyone is truly welcome.

This is a full-time position (30+ hours weekly) requiring weekend, early morning, and evening availability and the starting wage is $27.00/hour.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Merchandising and Programming

• Responsible for developing programming that meets customer demand and working with the Kitchen Manager for implementation.
• Use retail statistics, feedback from staff and customers, price checks, and the manager’s professional observations and experience, identify sales and margin goals and carry a successful product mix.
• Develop and maintain a Category Health Assessment Plan to obtain a balanced product mix.
• Merchandising with purpose and promoting increased sales.
• Work with the Store Operations Manager to implement planning, initiatives, and objectives according to the annual Business and Department Operational Plans.

Personnel management

• Hire, train, and supervise department staff. Oversee other supervisory roles and ensures that all Co-op policies are followed.
• Schedule departments according to need and labor budget.

Food Safety

• Follow state, local, and federal food safety regulations to ensure proper sanitation practices, follow all proper food handling procedures, identify unsafe work practices and take corrective action.
• Keep staff appropriately trained on relevant food safety certifications.
• Work with Facilities Department to ensure all equipment is in working order and maintained.
• Implement approved safety, sanitation, and housekeeping policies in the department.

Food production

• Work with subdepartment leadership to oversee all production including hot and cold prepared food, cutting and wrapping of cheese, and baked goods. Lead menu development initiatives with proper staff and proactively build programming as opportunities arise.
• Work with management team to identify opportunities that decrease food waste and improves margin.
• Ensure optimal inventory levels are maintained throughout each day.

Department Oversight

• Oversee the Prepared Foods, Cheese, and Bakery departments and ensure they are abundantly stocked, clean, safe, and attractive. Ensure appropriate product rotation and freshness.
• Oversee a customer-friendly, inviting, and clean cafe and eating environment.
• Ensure a fully-stocked, abundant, well-merchandised, and inviting department for customers to enjoy.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with vendors, and ensure they are aware of and following all product policies, safety guidelines, and delivery and invoicing protocols.
• Responsible for opening the store as scheduled and following Key Holder expectations.

GENERAL DEPARTMENT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES - all responsibilities listed are considered essential functions of the position

Customer Service

• Ensure excellent customer relations by modeling friendly and engaged customer service, and by providing appropriate leadership, technical, and customer service training to all workers. Respond promptly and professionally to concerns, complaints, and requests.
• Ensure that all co-op practices, policies, and procedures are understood by workers and communicated to customers. Make requests for compliance respectfully and ensure that all communication between workers and customers is respectful.

Financial Management

• Attain maximum operating results for department by developing, implementing, and meeting approved budgets for sales, margin, and labor which are consistent with short- and long-range goals and plans. Maintain a working knowledge of personnel reports, margin reports, weekly sales numbers, and other financial goals.
• Explore programs that benefit department and storewide margin, and communicate those plans to peers and management
• Keep accurate records including financial history, vendor information, internal forms, and up to date pricing.

Personnel Management

• Select, train, and schedule employees. Work closely with Operations Manager to adhere to labor budget. Create a work environment that encourages and reaches internal promotions and succession plans. Ensure that employees receive proper technical and customer service training. Provide and maintain job descriptions for all department positions. Organize schedules and daily activities to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency. Ensure coverage of all department shifts.
• Develop and maintain useful departmental training materials, coordinate with trainers to ensure success. Coordinate with HR to ensure proper documentation and records are kept.
• Carry out all supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Co-op policies and applicable laws. Monitor and evaluate employee performance at regular intervals. Recognize and reward employees and create a team environment that celebrates success. Proactively address performance and personnel issues in a timely manner and administer proper disciplinary action for employees when necessary. Follow good documentation practices and make sure all standards are consistently met.
• Foster staff engagement by communicating department financial goals and successes. Share policy changes, expectation, and other necessary knowledge to staff in a timely fashion.

Leadership

• Contributing member of the Operations Management team. Work closely with other sales and service department managers to ensure storewide sales, margin, and labor goals are met while providing a holistic working and shopping environment for all.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL WORKERS

Essential Functions of all Positions:

• Provide exceptional customer service to internal & external customers, both in person & via phone.
• Wear any required uniform (nametag, apron, chef coat, etc.) so as to be easily identifiable to customers and able to work safely (hair covering, closed toed shoes, etc.).
• Ask for help from co-workers and provide help to customers and co-workers as needed.
• Work efficiently and safely.
• Take initiative and work as a part of a team.
• Approach work with a positive attitude.
• Collaborate with others to find solutions and accept solutions once determined.
• Continue to learn and develop knowledge as it relates to the position, co-op, and industry.
• Demonstrate regular and dependable attendance.
• Follow department procedures and SOPs.

Belfast Community Co-op Worker Benefits include:

• Sponsored Co-op Ownership/ Equity Share
• Generous Store Discount
• In-Store Charge Account
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid/Earned Vacation Time
• Retirement Account with Employer Matching
• Regular Free-to-Staff Food and Wellness Items
• CSA/Farmers Market Reimbursement
• Education Credits (PTO for exploring interests related to work)
• Professional Development & Continual Training Opportunities

Full Time Workers (30 hours or more) are also eligible for insurance benefits including::

• Co-op Subsidized Health Insurance Plans
• HSA plans with Matching
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Fully Paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS (knowledge, skills, and abilities)

Preferred:

• Can understand and explain financial concepts
• Experience leading a large team towards a shared goal
• Retail food or restaurant management experience

Minimum:

• Demonstrated skill communicating verbally and in writing
• Previous leadership experience
• Kitchen/prepared foods experience
• Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive tasks simultaneously
• Hold safety certifications or able to obtain one upon hire

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle, feel, and for fine manipulation. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. This position requires frequent interaction with the public, in person and over the telephone.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Co-op follows all federal and Maine laws related to employment eligibility verification. The Co-op will not request more or different documents than required, refuse legally acceptable documents, or discriminate based on citizenship, immigration status, or national origin where protected by law.

BACKGROUND CHECK

The Co-op does not ask about criminal history on the initial application or state that applicants with criminal histories may not apply, except where a legal exception applies. Candidates will have an opportunity to explain criminal-history information, including rehabilitation, as required by Maine law. If a third-party consumer report is used, the Co-op will follow all FCRA notice, authorization, and adverse-action procedures.

SUBSTANCE-FREE / FIT-FOR-DUTY

The Co-op requires workers to report fit for duty and comply with its substance-free workplace policy, including rules on impairment and on use, possession, or distribution while working or on Co-op property, consistent with Maine and federal law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The Co-op provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities; to applicants and employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs or practices, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship or as otherwise permitted by law. Workers or applicants who need an accommodation should contact Human Resources to begin the interactive process.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The Belfast Community Co-op does not discriminate in employment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or predisposition, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status where protected, protected workers' compensation activity, protected whistleblower activity, having sought or received an order of protection, or any other status protected by Maine or federal law. The Co-op is an Equal Opportunity Employer.