Deli Kitchen Production Lead

Location

Wausau, WI 54401

110 S 17th Ave

Full-Time

ABOUT FESTIVAL FOODS:

We are a Wisconsin grocer that is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and providing guests with exceptional service and value. We operate +40 full‑service supermarkets across the state of Wisconsin.

At Festival, people are at the top of our list. You’ll see it in everything from our daily interactions to how we treat our guests – even in our extensive associate benefits and programs.

Join our Festival Foods team as a Deli Kitchen Production Lead!

Job Title:

Deli Kitchen Production Lead

Reports to:

Deli Department Manager

At Festival Foods, we’re all about making mealtime easier and more enjoyable for our guests. Whether they’re grabbing a quick lunch, a side dish, or feeding a crowd, our deli has them covered.

As Deli Kitchen Production Lead, you will oversee daily kitchen operations while leading the deli production team. In this role, you will ensure product quality, manage inventory, and deliver exceptional guest experiences, all while fostering career development and operational excellence. If you’re passionate about food, leadership, and providing high‑quality service, this position offers the perfect opportunity to grow your career and make a meaningful impact in our deli department.

What You’ll Do:

As a Deli Kitchen Production Lead at Festival Foods, your responsibilities will include:

• Provide Exceptional Guest Service: Providing excellent guest service is at the heart of what we do. Whether it’s a friendly greeting, answering questions or addressing guest concerns, you’ll handle each interaction with professionalism and care. Your willingness to help guests with what they need will make a positive impact every day.
• Lead and Coach Your Team: Provide leadership and guidance to Deli Kitchen associates, reinforcing the Festival culture and performance expectations while ensuring exceptional guest service.
• Support Operational Excellence: Assist the Deli Kitchen Manager in overseeing daily kitchen operations, including labor, expenses, stock levels, and quality control.
• Ensure Product Quality and Freshness: Manage recipe control, measurement accuracy, product rotation, and monitor product dates to maintain high‑quality standards.
• Deliver Outstanding Experiences: Address guest concerns, assist with product inquiries, and resolve issues related to prep and kitchen‑made items, ensuring guest satisfaction.
• Foster Career Development: Guide Deli Kitchen associates on career path development, providing the necessary leadership and support for growth.
• Collaborate Across Departments: Communicate with leads and managers regarding supplies, product inventory, and rotation to ensure seamless operations.
• Maintain Cleanliness and Safety: Contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the department by ensuring proper sanitation of work areas, shelving, and the sales floor. Maintain food safety logs in accordance with company policies.
• Honor Commitments: Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
• Support the Team: Other duties as assigned.

• Leadership
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong ability to lead and motivate a diverse team in a fast‑paced environment, while promoting a positive, collaborative culture.
• Problem‑Solving Ability: Demonstrated capability to handle guest concerns and operational issues with tact and professionalism.
• Attention to Detail: Experience in managing product quality, rotation, and inventory, with a thorough understanding of the retail food business and perishable department operations.
• Safety and Compliance Knowledge: A complete understanding of safety protocols and the ability to apply on‑the‑job safety training to recognize and respond to hazards.

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential…