Department: Deli and Bakery Operations Reports To: Executive Sales Manager Location: Grocery Store Support Office & Store Operations Employment Type: Full-Time Position Summary The Senior Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational excellence, financial performance, and continuous innovation of the Deli and Bakery business across the organization. This role manages the development and execution of fresh food strategies, product innovation, menu development, merchandising initiatives, and operational standards to drive sales growth, customer engagement, profitability, and brand differentiation. The position serves as both an operational leader and innovation champion, overseeing all aspects of Deli and Bakery production, product lifecycle management, supplier collaboration, food trend analysis, and new product commercialization while ensuring exceptional food quality, safety, and customer experiences. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the Deli and Bakery strategic plan aligned with company objectives.
Establish annual sales, profitability, growth, and innovation targets.
Identify market opportunities, consumer trends, and emerging food concepts.
Lead long-term category planning and business development initiatives.
Partner with senior leadership to expand and strengthen fresh food offerings.
Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across all locations.
Research, Development & Innovation – Product Innovation
Lead all Deli and Bakery product development initiatives.
Develop innovative food solutions aligned with consumer preferences and market trends.
Conduct research on global and regional food trends to identify growth opportunities.
Create and test new recipes, prepared meal solutions, bakery products, grab-and-go programs, and seasonal offerings.
Manage the product development process from concept through launch.
Conduct product tastings, customer testing, and market validation programs.
Develop signature product ranges that differentiate the business.
Menu & Assortment Development
Design and maintain category assortment strategies.
Evaluate product performance and optimize assortments based on sales and customer demand.
Introduce healthy, premium, convenience, and value-focused offerings.
Build seasonal, holiday, and promotional product programs.
Develop catering, meal solutions, and ready-to-eat offerings.
Commercialization
Lead product launch planning and execution.
Create operational standards and production procedures for new products.
Develop costing, pricing, yield analysis, and profit models.
Collaborate with Marketing on product positioning, branding, packaging, and promotion.
Measure post-launch performance and refine offerings based on customer feedback.
Operational Leadership –
Oversee all Deli and Bakery operations across multiple store locations.
Ensure operational consistency and execution of company standards.
Establish production, merchandising, and quality control standards.
Develop standard operating procedures and best practices.
Monitor department performance through regular store visits and audits.
Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
Financial Performance & Category Management –
Manage sales, gross profit, and expense budgets.
Analyze category performance and develop action plans to improve results.
Monitor inventory turns, waste, shrink, and spoilage.
Develop pricing strategies to maximize profitability and competitiveness.
Negotiate with suppliers and manufacturers to improve value and quality.
Review financial reports and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance -
Ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and company standards.
Uphold sanitation and quality assurance programs.
Establish product quality benchmarks and audit procedures.
Ensure all products meet company quality specifications and customer expectations.
Assist with food safety training and certification programs
Team Leadership & Development -
Lead, mentor, and develop Deli and Bakery Managers across all locations.
Create succession plans and talent development programs.
Support Recruiting and operations in attracting and retaining high-performing team members.
Provide positive coaching and development tools.
Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Build cross-functional collaboration between Operations, Merchandising, Marketing, and Procurement teams.
Vendor & Supplier Management
Build strategic relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Source innovative products and ingredients.
Evaluate supplier performance and quality standards.
Collaborate with vendors on product development and category growth opportunities.
Manage supplier negotiations and promotional support.
Qualifications Education
Associates degree or higher, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Retail Management, or related field preferred.
Professional culinary or baking certification is highly desirable.
Experience
7-10 years of progressive leadership experience within grocery retail, food service, bakery, deli, or fresh foods operations.
Minimum 10 years of multi-unit management experience.
Demonstrated experience in product development, culinary innovation, menu engineering, or category management.
Proven track record of delivering sales growth and profitability improvements.
Experience leading large teams and cross-functional initiatives.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
Regular travel between store locations.
Ability to work in bakery production, deli preparation, refrigerated, and retail environments.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as required.
Success Profile The successful Senior Manager - Deli, Bakery is a commercially minded food leader who combines operational excellence with culinary creativity. They continuously identify opportunities to innovate, improve customer experiences, and create differentiated fresh food offerings while driving profitable growth, maintaining exceptional quality standards, and developing high-performing teams across the organization.
