What are the responsibilities and job description for the DELI & BAKERY MANAGER position at East Aurora Cooperative Market?
Experience Level Preferred
2 years
Desired Experience
2 years
Desired Experience
- Provide overall leadership and direction for the deli and bakery departments, ensuring consistent standards for food quality, freshness, presentation, service, production, and cleanliness.
- Work closely with the Kitchen Shift Supervisor and Bakery Lead, providing direction, coaching, support, and accountability to ensure effective day-to-day department operations.
- Develop and support department leadership, helping the Kitchen Shift Supervisor and Bakery Lead grow their skills and effectively lead staff within their areas of responsibility.
- Establish clear expectations, priorities, procedures, and performance standards for department staff and leaders.
- Oversee hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance management for department employees in coordination with the General Manager and department leadership.
- Work hands-on alongside staff and department leaders in food preparation, baking, merchandising, service, and other daily operations as needed.
- Plan and coordinate production to ensure appropriate product availability while minimizing waste.
- Oversee ordering, inventory, receiving, storage, stock rotation, and product freshness.
- Develop and maintain menus, recipes, production standards, and procedures, with an emphasis on quality, consistency, efficiency, and customer appeal.
- Monitor department sales, labor, food costs, margins, and waste, and take appropriate action to meet financial goals.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable health, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements.
- Maintain clean, organized, efficient, and safe work areas throughout the deli and bakery.
- Respond to customer questions and concerns with professionalism and care, including questions related to ingredients, allergens, dietary preferences, and special requests.
- Work with the General Manager and management team to establish department goals, improve efficiency, and identify opportunities for growth.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Coordinator to develop and promote seasonal offerings, prepared foods, bakery products, and other initiatives that reflect the co-op’s values.
- Collaborate with other department managers to support storewide operations, shared goals, and an excellent customer experience.
- Support clear communication between department leadership, staff, and the management team.
- Stay informed about food trends, customer preferences, and developments in natural, organic, and specialty foods.
- Foster a culture of cooperation, accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
- Proven experience supervising or managing a deli, bakery, restaurant, catering operation, grocery prepared foods department, or similar food service operation.
- Strong knowledge of food preparation, production planning, food safety, sanitation, and kitchen operations.
- Experience leading and developing other employees, preferably including team leads, shift supervisors, or other department-level leaders.
- Experience with inventory management, ordering, product sourcing, cost control, pricing, and margin management.
- Professional cooking, baking, culinary, or food-service experience; a culinary degree or certification is a plus.
- Familiarity with natural, organic, specialty, and locally sourced foods and a range of dietary preferences.
- Experience with hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance management is strongly preferred.
- Ability to balance hands-on production and service with administrative, financial, and leadership responsibilities.
- Outgoing, friendly, and helpful personality with a genuine commitment to customer service.
- Strong leadership, coaching, delegation, training, and team-building skills.
- Ability to develop trust and effective working relationships with department leaders and staff.
- Excellent communication, organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
- Ability to set priorities, delegate effectively, and remain calm and solution-oriented in a busy environment.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, management, vendors, and other departments.
- Positive and adaptable approach to problem-solving, change, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to lead by example and contribute hands-on to daily department operations.
- Reliable attendance and schedule flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Commitment to the mission, values, and cooperative principles of the East Aurora Cooperative Market.