General Manager, District Market - Alder

Job Description

Housing & Food Services (HFS) has an outstanding opportunity for a General Manager, District Manager - Alder.

The District Market Alder General Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for a high-volume, full-service grocery, café and deli serving the UW community. This role ensures exceptional customer service, efficient day-to-day operations, and strong financial performance while fostering a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplace culture. The manager oversees all aspects of staffing, merchandising, food safety, fiscal management, and facility standards to deliver a reliable, well-run, and student-centered retail market experience.

• Communicates the department’s mission, values and priorities, and ensures unit practices align with organizational goals.
• Cultivates a workplace culture centered on exceptional customer service and continuous improvement.
• Supervises and supports direct reports, ensuring productivity, quality, customer service, and compliance with UW and departmental policies.
• Maintains regular presence on the floor (approx. 90% during peak periods) to remain visible and accessible to customers, staff, and building partners.
• Monitors attendance, adjusting staffing levels to meet operational needs.
• Ensures unit practices comply with all contracts, policies, and operational standards.
• Leads hiring processes, provides onboarding, and ensures completion of all required HFS and UW trainings.
• Trains and evaluates staff in safety, customer service, food safety, and job performance.
• Supports direct reports with performance development, coaching, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Conducts timely and accurate performance evaluations, providing clear, constructive feedback.
• Works with HFS Human Resources to ensure adherence to UW, HFS, and bargaining-unit policies when addressing performance issues or corrective action.
• Solicits customer feedback through multiple channels and responds to concerns, special requests, and service needs.
• Monitors compliance with marketing standards and promotions, implementing corrective actions when necessary.

• Directs daily operational practices and ensures staff understand and follow unit policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with Food Services leadership to develop business plans, operational processes, and annual budgets.
• Creates and maintains staffing schedules to meet customer service and production requirements.
• Identifies and recommends new products and merchandising strategies to enhance customer experience.
• Conducts in-service trainings on safety, food handling, and customer service.
• Manages inventory from ordering to utilization, including purchasing, receiving, storage, production, display, and point-of-sale execution.
• Serves as primary vendor contact for product availability, pricing, delivery, and quality concerns.
• Ensures strong controls over inventory, equipment, and labor resources.
• Maintains all service, prep, and storage areas in clean, sanitary, and orderly condition in compliance with health department standards.
• Sets and maintains par levels to reduce waste and manages documentation and disposal of expired or unsellable product.
• Identifies and addresses unsafe conditions, hazardous work habits, or malfunctioning equipment.
• Develops and oversees cleaning programs to ensure consistent sanitation and facility upkeep.
• Implements security protocols to prevent theft, loss, and vandalism.
• Prepares and submits all required operational reports including payroll, production records, and service logs.
• Utilizes the Online Accident Reporting System (OARS) for all workplace injuries and notifies appropriate personnel.
• Partners with students and student groups in planning and executing special events.

• Monitors product and service performance, collaborating with vendors to adjust offerings and improve revenue and service outcomes.
• Reviews daily sales, P&L statements, and financial reports to identify operational and expense-management opportunities; implements appropriate actions.
• Ensures proper controls and separation of duties across…