PREPARED FOODS MANAGER

Carlsbad, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $26.00 - $34.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k plan

Paid Time Off

employee discount

performance bonuses

Job Description

This opportunity is with a renowned natural foods market that prioritizes organic, non-GMO certified products and operates a scratch kitchen model. As a leader in the natural foods retail industry, the company values a high standard of food quality, customer service excellence, and operational integrity. The market is dedicated to sustaining natural and healthy lifestyles through its carefully curated product selection, including prepared foods such as Kitchen offerings, Deli items, Sandwich Bar, Hot Bar, Salad Bar, Bakery, Pizza Counter, Coffee, and Fresh Juice Bar. This company has developed a reputation for providing customers with fresh, wholesome food options and a shopping experience that aligns with natural food values.

The Prepared Foods Manager will play a critical role in overseeing and managing the entire Prepared Foods Department. This department is central to the customer experience and business success, encompassing multiple food stations that deliver scratch-made, natural foods. The manager will ensure that all operations adhere strictly to corporate recipes, standard operating procedures, and merchandising standards to maintain consistency and quality across the department. This highly operational role demands a balance of culinary knowledge, team leadership, and business acumen to drive financial performance while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

The ideal candidate for this position will have significant experience in scratch kitchen operations or natural foods markets, coupled with strong leadership abilities and a passion for organic and non-GMO foods. Responsibilities include supervising a diverse team including kitchen staff, deli, and sandwich bar teams, while working closely with store leadership and corporate teams to align store operations with overall company strategies. The manager must be proactive in managing food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees alike.

In addition to operational duties, the Prepared Foods Manager will be responsible for delivering an outstanding customer experience through quality, presentation, and service standards. This includes directly engaging with customers to educate and promote the market's natural food philosophy. Financial oversight is a key aspect of the role, involving management of purchasing, vendor relations, budgeting, inventory control, labor cost management, and waste reduction to ensure profitability.

This position offers full-time employment and a comprehensive compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, employer-matched 401k plan, paid time off accruals, and additional performance bonuses. Employees benefit from a 20% discount and free box items, reflecting the company’s commitment to employee satisfaction and engagement. Regular performance evaluations and opportunities for professional development create a supportive environment for career growth. Overall, the Prepared Foods Manager is essential to the store's success and plays a vital role in maintaining the high standards the company is known for.

Job Requirements

Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience in a scratch kitchen, natural foods market, or culinary/deli environment
demonstrated success managing teams in a fast-paced, customer-focused setting
strong culinary knowledge and passion for organic, non-GMO, and natural foods
ability to execute corporate strategies and programs with 100 percent compliance
ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods

Job Qualifications

Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience in a scratch kitchen, natural foods market, or culinary/deli environment
demonstrated success managing teams in a fast-paced, customer-focused setting
strong culinary knowledge and passion for organic, non-GMO, and natural foods
ability to execute corporate strategies and programs with 100 percent compliance
excellent leadership, organizational, and time management skills
strong financial acumen, including proficiency with budgets, margins, inventory, and shrink control
advanced knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements
ability to train, motivate, and develop staff in a constructive and positive manner
proficiency in Microsoft Office, email, and operations-related applications
creative merchandising and product presentation skills

Job Duties

Direct, supervise, and delegate tasks to prepared foods team members, assistant kitchen manager, and assistant deli manager
provide coaching, mentoring, and ongoing development to build a high-performance team and reduce turnover
foster a positive work environment that emphasizes teamwork, respect, open communication, and strong morale
conduct regular department meetings, one-to-one check-ins, and staff evaluations
ensure flawless execution of corporate-established recipes, programs, and merchandising standards
develop and oversee daily production lists, rotation schedules, and prep assignments to meet department goals
adhere 100 percent to all company-established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
open and close the department according to established procedures
maintain cases, shelves, and displays that are clean, abundant, well-stocked, and rotated properly
deliver consistent, outstanding customer service that exceeds expectations
monitor customer flow and direct staff to meet demand
respond promptly to customer requests, feedback, and concerns
engage with customers about products, ingredients, and natural food values
achieve and exceed financial goals for sales, margins, labor, and inventory
manage purchasing, vendor relations, and ordering cycles to maintain freshness, quality, and profitability
control shrink, track credits, and maintain accurate inventory through effective systems
write and manage department schedules to balance customer service needs with labor budgets
hire, train, and onboard new team members using established tools, checklists, and training materials
provide timely, thoughtful performance evaluations and succession planning
administer disciplinary actions and terminations as needed in accordance with company policy
ensure all staff receive proper breaks, meal periods, and compliance with labor standards
work closely with Store Manager, Director of Prepared Foods, and other department leaders to align with store strategy and expectations
participate in weekly Prepared Foods leadership meetings, quarterly reviews, and corporate-driven initiatives
communicate team needs, concerns, and successes effectively to leadership