Department Manager

Department Manager

Forty Acres Fresh Market is an independent, Black woman-owned grocery business offering high-quality, fresh food to people across Chicagoland. We are working to restore healthy food access so that people across Chicago neighborhoods can have a worthwhile grocery experience regardless of zip code.

Forty Acres Fresh Market operates its brick and mortar store in Chicago's Austin neighborhood in 2025 and is seeking a like-minded person to join the management team.

Do you want to be part of building a business that is a catalyst for community change? Do you believe that everyone should be able to access affordable fresh food in their neighborhood? Are you interested in rebuilding neighborhoods that have endured years of divestment? If so then this is the company for you. We are seeking an experienced, detail and results oriented Deli/Prepared Foods Manager who is eager to take on the challenge of developing and running a department in a new store.

This individual must be well trained in using kitchen appliances, sharp knives, slicers, and all other tools and techniques for preparing hot and cold meal solutions.

Are you a dedicated food service professional with creative culinary skills and enthusiasm for people, who is looking to make your mark on Chicago's food scene? Forty Acres Fresh Market is looking for a manager to play a pivotal role in the success of our new grocery store by overseeing the daily operations of our Deli/Prepared Foods (Mabel's Meals) department. We are looking for an enthusiastic manager who is dedicated to a people first management style that will drive store sales and profitability.

This detailed oriented person will help ensure the highest standards of product quality, while providing best in class customer service. Maintaining exceptional food quality and safety will be essential to ensure proper presentation of Mabel's Meals, which will offer both hot and cold meal solutions for customers. This onsite position promotes advancement within the grocery industry by allowing the Deli & Prepared Foods (Mabel's Meals) to become your own piece of the store.

As a FAFM team member, this manager will exemplify Forty Acres' Values of Quality, Sustainability, Community Engagement, and Integrity.

Applicants must be 21 years of age, minimum.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Directs and manages all functions and activities of the Deli & Prepared Foods (Mabel's Meals) Department. Achieve budgeted financial goals and ensure profitability through tracking labor costs, inventory and sales, and reducing losses due to shrink, damage, and pilferage
• Oversees department personnel, including interviewing, hiring, training, and developing team members; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining team members as necessary; scheduling, addressing complaints and resolving problems
• Create an environment that makes customers feel welcome, important, and appreciated.
• Assist with store promotional, advertising, and sales event planning
• Closely collaborate with store and department managers to repurpose store inventory, develop new recipes or specials, and have a cohesive store product mix that promotes the profitability of the store.
• Supervising daily production of the deli menu, including hot food, salads, sandwiches, soups, and cold packaged meals to maintain high food quality and efficient production standards that are in accordance with food safety and company standards. Ensures hot and cold foods are prepared and displayed in accordance with company standards.
• Enforces quality control and food safety standards and ensures dated products are stocked and rotated properly. Makes fine judgements about aroma, flavor, taste, texture, and color to inspect prepared foods for quality and freshness.
• Consistently review competitive pricing for key performance items in the market and report changes to store management and pricing coordinator.
• Regularly communicate and report department pricing changes to pricing coordinator
• Ensure proper use of a wide variety of kitchen equipment and appliances to include, but not limited to, mixer, slicers, ovens,…