Fresh Food Counter Manager, Contract

Dunnes Stores is Ireland’s leading retailer positioned at the cutting edge of food and fashion retailing. We have stores in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Spain and are expanding our service and product offer all the time. 

Over the last 5 years we have delivered an extensive rollout of new contemporary fresh food delis throughout Ireland, and plan to continue this rollout in 2024 with the introduction of more Dunnes Stores Market Delis across the country. Our Market Deli brand offers an increased product range in stores, at great value, all with improved customer service and expertise.

We are currently looking to recruit and train a number of fresh food managers to join the team in our fresh food counters. Our fresh food managers have excellent product knowledge, provide outstanding customer service, and above all else are passionate about fresh food and retail. The primary job function of the fresh food manager is to take accountability for the fresh food counter, ensuring the delivery of exceptional customer care and operational standards to maximise sales and profitability whilst maintaining costs.

The successful candidate will be organised and meticulous with excellent attention to detail, focused on leading the team within the fresh food deli. Previous experience in deli / fresh food management is essential, while experience as a chef or in a food production background is preferable.

The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

• Work as part of the team with Store Management to provide the highest standard of food preparation, merchandising and customer service.
• Lead, train and develop the team, in a manner appropriate to the Brand, to deliver the agreed business strategy and “Dunnes Stores Experience” customer service programme.
• To monitor and deliver the rigorous HACCP programme within our fresh food counters to ensure effective standards are in line with food safety, hygiene and quality regulations and develop an efficient cleaning schedule; ensuring the regular and systematic cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
• Place product orders with agreed suppliers on a daily basis, in a cost effective way.
• Monitor and address any variations to the cost base of the department on a week to week basis
• To deliver the budgeted KPI plan for the department and any subsequent forecasts
• Maximising sales through analysing sales data, department trading patterns and pre-empting customer needs and demands.
• Ensure products are prepared following agreed procedures
• Training on and implementation of the department brand standards.
• Coaching your team to be passionate and knowledgeable about sales, product availability, stock control, merchandising & display standards, variation prevention, pricing, ticketing, inventory, hygiene and most importantly customer service.
• Ensuring all process and business changes are implemented as per the business requirement and on time.
• To adhere to, and ensure that the team adheres to specifications, standards and procedures while at work including all relevant trading safely and legal policies.
• To comply, and to ensure that the team complies with all Company policy and procedures.
• Be constantly on the lookout for innovative ideas inside & outside the business.
• Provide feedback to senior managers on performance, key customer service developments and operational issues

Requirements:

• Relevant experience in a fresh food or fast paced retail environment is preferable.
• Customer focused
• Must be able to follow pre-determined recipe cards / set procedures.
• Experienced and trained on HACCP with an in-depth knowledge of Food Safety legislation.
• Excellent communication, coaching and interpersonal skills
• Organised, excellent attention to detail with the ability to multi-task
• Flexible and able to work as part of a team and individually
• Passion/flair and attention to detail for food production and presentation
• Commercial mind-set and appropriate product knowledge
• Problem solving & decision making
• Merchandising skills
• People management skills

Dunnes Stores is an Equal Opportunities Employer.