Specialty Team Leader (Beer, Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Department Manager)

Whole Foods Market is a leading grocery retailer distinguished by its commitment to high-quality organic and natural products, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. As a company dedicated to nourishing people and the planet, Whole Foods Market goes beyond simply providing groceries. The company actively supports sustainability initiatives such as funding school garden grants, improving access to fresh and healthy food in underserved areas, and alleviating poverty in developing countries. This dedication to social and environmental impact sets Whole Foods Market apart as more than just a grocery store – it is a community-centered, mission-driven organization aiming to revolutionize the grocery industry while making a positive difference locally and globally.

The role available is for a Specialty Team Leader, who provides overall leadership to the Specialty department team. This position is highly responsible for all aspects of the daily operations within the Specialty department, including profitability, expense control, buying, merchandising, labor management, regulatory compliance, and other special projects as assigned. The Specialty Team Leader leads Associate Team Leaders and Team Members, holding accountability for team member hiring, development, performance management, corrective actions, and terminations as necessary. A key focus of this role is ensuring outstanding and courteous customer service to promote a positive company image and elevate the customer experience.

This role requires a leader who can effectively delegate, empower, and develop team members while monitoring sales, margin, expenses, and labor goals. The Specialty Team Leader is responsible for maintaining product assortment and inventory control, ensuring rigorous adherence to category management schedules and merchandising planograms. This position also mandates the enforcement of food safety, health, and regulatory compliance, further emphasizing Whole Foods Market’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality products. The individual must foster a collaborative work environment characterized by teamwork, respect, and high morale.

The role also demands strong communication skills for mentoring, motivating, and counseling team members, alongside the ability to respond promptly to customer needs and questions. This leadership position requires comprehensive knowledge of competitors and industry trends, advanced expertise in product buying, pricing strategies, merchandising, inventory management, and proficiency with relevant software tools. Candidates are expected to maintain or obtain food safety certification within six months if not already certified.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work in cold and wet environments, and manage physical tasks such as bending, twisting, squatting, reaching, and operating heavy equipment. Flexibility to work varied schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays is necessary. The hour wage range for the position is $25.10 to $42.50, commensurate with experience.

Whole Foods Market offers extensive benefits under its Whole Benefits program for both full-time and part-time team members, including store discounts, paid time off, financial wellness programs, health and wellness support, and other perks. The company is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, hiring based solely on qualifications and business needs.

Joining Whole Foods Market means becoming part of a company with a larger purpose, one that values personal growth, a positive community impact, and the chance to be a world-changer in the grocery industry. The Specialty Team Leader role is ideal for a dynamic, motivated leader who believes in Whole Foods Market’s mission and is eager to make an impactful contribution through leadership, operational excellence, and customer service.