PREPARED FOODS MANAGER

Escondido, 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 reviews

Quarterly bonus

Happy hour bonus

Birthday bonus

Job Description

The hiring company specializes in natural foods and operates a Prepared Foods Department that emphasizes organic, non-GMO certified, and scratch kitchen products. This company stands out in the natural foods market by maintaining strict adherence to high-quality food standards while fostering an environment of continuous improvement, teamwork, and customer satisfaction. With a strong focus on delivering premium natural and organic food items, the company integrates food safety, operational discipline, and excellent financial management into its core processes. Employees enjoy comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with employer matching, paid time off, and various performance and holiday bonuses.

The Prepared Foods Manager plays a vital role in leading and overseeing the entire Prepared Foods Department, which includes diverse sections such as the Kitchen, Deli, Sandwich Bar, Hot Bar, Salad Bar, Bakery, Pizza Counter, Coffee, and Fresh Juice Bar. This position requires a deep understanding of culinary operations, natural foods, and nutrition, combined with strong leadership and business management skills. The manager will be responsible for ensuring flawless execution of corporate recipes, maintaining merchandising and rotation standards, managing departmental financial performance, and fostering a positive customer-centric culture. The role demands adherence to company policies and standard operating procedures, strong team development, and direct engagement with customers to ensure exceptional service quality. The scope of work includes overseeing daily production, inventory management, staff scheduling, and vendor relations to optimize department efficiency and profitability. Maintaining high safety and sanitation standards is also a critical aspect of this role.

The Prepared Foods Manager is expected to demonstrate operational discipline, financial acumen, and excellent communication and collaboration skills by working closely with store management and corporate leadership. This position involves regular performance reviews, training initiatives, and active participation in leadership meetings to support continuous business improvements. The ideal candidate is a motivated leader passionate about natural and organic foods, capable of delivering outstanding customer experiences while driving sales, margin goals, and labor optimization. They will lead a diverse team, promoting staff retention and high morale through mentoring, coaching, and a supportive work environment. Physical demands and flexibility in scheduling are required aspects of the role, with an emphasis on safety and compliance at all times.

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% 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 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
Extensive knowledge of scratch kitchen operations, culinary techniques, and natural foods
Strong understanding of organic, non-GMO, and specialty products
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% 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