2nd Assistant Store Manager-Grocery/Front End

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Who We Are: 

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.

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Forty Acres Fresh Market is preparing to open its first brick and mortar store in Chicago's Austin neighborhood in 2025 and is currently building the foundational management team. 

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Who You Are:

​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 Assistant Store Manager with responsibility for the Grocery/Front End Department 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 merchandising, inventory management, and team leadership.

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The Job:

Are you a dedicated grocery professional who believes everyone deserves an exceptional shopping experience regardless of ZIP code? Forty Acres Fresh Market is looking for a 2nd Assistant Store Manager to play a pivotal role in the success of our new grocery store by overseeing the daily operations of our Center Store & Front End, including dry, refrigerated, and frozen departments, and the point of sale and customer service desk. We are looking for an enthusiastic manager who embodies a people first management style that will drive store sales and profitability.  This detailed oriented person will promote the optimal opportunity for sales, while providing best in class customer service.  This role requires strong merchandising skills, creativity, leadership, and a passion for excellence. This onsite position promotes advancement within the grocery industry by allowing the Grocery Department and Front End 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 18 years of age, minimum.

 

Duties include but are not limited to:​

• Direct and manage all functions and activities of all grocery departments (including center store, refrigerated, and frozen). Achieve budgeted financial goals and ensure profitability through tracking labor costs, inventory and sales, and reducing losses due to shrink, damage, and pilferage

• Directs and manages the Front End Supervisor who is responsible for all Front End activities

• Oversees all grocery and front end 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 for developing new recipes or specials, and have a cohesive store product mix that promotes the profitability of the store. 

• 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

• Responsible for ordering Grocery department inventory from authorized vendors and maintaining in-stock conditions to ensure product availability

• Manages a vast product assortment including conventional, specialty/natural, and local foods to drive sales and gross profit. 

• Be a continual learner of the industry to stay current with both food and health trends.

• 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 costs on invoices to find any changes; 4) call in all credits and ensure credit is received.

• Plans / analyzes / builds / maintains required displays based on merchandising calendar

• Responsible for cost and quality control and maintaining a constant awareness of customer and employee safety. 

• Responsible for compliance to company policies, procedures and applications in the Front End.
  Responsible for performing all job duties and responsibilities safely, accurately and with honesty and integrity. 

• Ensures compliance with government / Forty Acres Fresh Market regulations and standards for product freshness, safety, refrigeration, and sanitation

• Responsible for overseeing the entire store operation in the absence of the store manager.

• Other duties related to general store operations as assigned by management

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Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• HS Diploma or equivalent

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in grocery retail.

• Minimum 2 years of team leadership experience in grocery retail

• Must be capable of providing and modeling exceptional customer service

• Proficiency in completing cost analysis and reviewing invoices

• Proficient skill level in Microsoft Office or Google Productivity Suite, including email and Excel/Sheets

• Knowledge of basic math, particularly fractions and margin formulas

• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)

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Preferred Qualifications 

• Center Store and/or Front End leadership experience​

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Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities​

• Ability to manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks

• Must be detail oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups.

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​Machines and Equipment Operated:

• Scales, balers, hand trucks, pallet jacks; etc.

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Work Environment/ Physical Demands

• 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.

• 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 grocery 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.

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Job Type: Full-time 

This position is Chicago-based

Salary: $58,000 per year

Benefits:​

• Healthcare Reimbursement Plan

• Up to 40 hours paid sick time annually

• Up to 80 hours paid vacation time annually

• Free monthly Forty Acres Fresh Market produce box subscription

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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.