Grocery Department Manager (Perishable Food exp. req.)
Location: Merrill, WI
Salary: $55,000 - $70,000 Base Salary + Bonus Potential
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, HSA, Paid Time Off
Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried 
Typical Hours Per Week: 8 AM to 8 PM (Flex); 45 hours per week; 1 weekend day/week
Store Hours: Mon-Sun, 6 AM – 10 PM 
Start Date: ASAP
Travel: None
Sponsorship: Not available
Relocation Assistance: Available

Grocery Department Manager Description

Our client, a highly respected grocery retailer in Wisconsin, is seeking an experienced Grocery Department Manager – Fresh Departments to lead Bakery, Deli, Meat, and Produce operations at their Merrill location. This is a key leadership role focused on driving department performance, developing teams, and maintaining high standards in fresh food quality, service, and profitability. Reporting to the Store Manager, you will oversee Fresh Department Managers while supporting Assistant Managers, Leads, and Associates across multiple departments. You will help manage labor planning, inventory, vendor coordination, merchandising, shrink control, and food safety, while also stepping in to support overall store operations as needed. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on grocery leader with strong perishables experience who wants to join a respected, growth-oriented retailer.

Grocery Department Manager Responsibilities

•    Lead Bakery, Deli, Meat, and Produce departments  
•    Coach and develop Department Managers, Leads, and Associates 
•    Manage inventory, ordering, vendor relationships, and product flow 
•    Monitor labor budgets, scheduling, and department productivity 
•    Drive merchandising, pricing accuracy, displays, and promotions 
•    Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and company standards 
•    Reduce shrink through strong inventory and freshness controls 
•    Support storewide operations and serve as acting Store Manager when needed 
•    Partner with HR, Buying, Accounting, and Operations teams to improve performance 

Grocery Department Manager Qualifications

•    5+ years of grocery, retail food, or supermarket experience required 
•    2+ years of leadership experience in a key supervisory or management role required 
•    Strong knowledge of Bakery, Deli, Meat, Produce, or fresh department operations required 
•    Proven merchandising, inventory, and labor management skills required