Department Manager

Food is the foundation of good health. Forty Acres Fresh Market (FAFM) 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, sharp knives, and fryers
• Monitor and control expenses and waste in the department, including maintaining correct portion sizes to prevent shrink
• Assist store manager in preparing store/department budget, profit and loss reviews, and take appropriate action on all financial reports
• Order all deli products, ingredients, and supplies from authorized vendors.
• Manage the receiving process including: 1) checking the load for quality/shortage/overage and code dating the case; 2) proper storage of product following food safety and inventory controls; 3) verify that costs on invoices to find any changes;5) call in all credits and ensure credit is received.
• Adhere to all food safety regulations and guidelines: Prepare foods according to food temperature logs and follow cooking instructions; Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and recorded.
• Oversee the upholding of all Health Department requirements, department cleanliness and sanitation including 1) preparing and logging all food temperatures in cases and during production 2) Maintaining a clean department and store 3) safe use of cleaning equipment and chemicals
• Report all safety risks and reinforce safety programs by notifying and identifying store management with unsafe conditions, illegal activity which may include robbery, theft, or mis-suse of company property.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Other duties related to general store operations as assigned by management

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 4 years management experience in food service, particularly in a deli, quick service, or restaurant environment
• Must be capable of providing and modeling exceptional customer service
• Proficiency in food planning and preparation, sanitation, and food handling
• Proficiency in completing cost analysis and reviewing invoices
• City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate, or ability to acquire within 30 days of employment
• Ability to manage a tight inventory of supplies, ingredients, prepared items, and department products
• Proficient skill level in Microsoft Office or Google Productivity Suite, including email and Excel/Sheets
• Experienced in various POS and transaction devices such as kiosks, printers, tickets, and touch screens
• Knowledge of basic math, particularly fractions and margin formulas
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)

• Experience with recipe creation (including cost calculation) across a variety of cuisines
• Restaurant, retail, or management experience preferred

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• Ability to manage time effectively, and prioritize task
• Must be detail oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups.

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• Must have the physical ability to stand for extended periods of time, bend, climb, balance, stoop to grasp objects, kneel, crouch, crawl, frequently push/pull up to 100 lbs., frequently lift and/or move loads up to 50 lbs., and occasionally lift 75 lbs.
• Must work with hot ovens, sharp knives, and slicers
• Ability to enter the coolers and freezers thereby being subjected to and withstanding frequent temperature changes for extended periods of time.
• Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff.
• Able to work a flexible schedule with various shifts, including weekends and holidays, as determined by the store/business needs and as required to ensure adequate store staffing, and ability to be reached as needed after hours.
• Must have a reliable source of transportation, as this role requires timeliness in overseeing the entire deli department.

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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Job Type: Full-time

This position is Chicago-based

Salary: $50,000 - $58,000 per year, based on experience

Benefits:​

• Healthcare Reimbursement Plan
• Up to 40 hours paid sick time annually
• Up to 80 hours paid vacation time annually
• 10% in store employee discount (excludes alcohol and hot Mabel’s Meals)

Forty Acres Fresh Market is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.