Assistant Meat Manager

Position Summary

The Assistant Meat Manager supports the Meat Manager in overseeing daily department operations, ensuring high-quality products, food safety compliance, excellent customer service, and efficient department performance. This position assists with inventory management, merchandising, production planning, associate development, and achieving sales and profitability goals while maintaining a clean, safe, and customer-focused meat department.

Key Responsibilities Department Operations

• Assist in managing daily meat department operations and production activities.
• Support department goals related to sales, labor, shrink, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure fresh, high-quality meat products are available and properly displayed.
• Monitor department conditions to maintain cleanliness, organization, and readiness.
• Assist with implementing company programs, promotions, and operational initiatives.
• Help ensure efficient workflow and production scheduling.

Merchandising & Sales

• Maintain attractive, well-stocked meat cases and promotional displays.
• Ensure products are properly rotated using freshness and date code standards.
• Verify accurate pricing, labeling, and signage throughout the department.
• Monitor inventory levels to maintain in-stock conditions while minimizing waste.
• Support seasonal promotions and sales-driving merchandising programs.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales through product presentation and assortment.

Inventory & Product Management

• Assist with ordering and inventory control to meet customer demand.
• Monitor product movement and adjust ordering to minimize shrink.
• Verify the accuracy of deliveries and product receipts.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and rotation of meat products.
• Maintain organized coolers, freezers, and storage areas.
• Assist with inventory counts, audits, and recordkeeping.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and daily direction to meat department associates.
• Assist with onboarding and training new employees.
• Support scheduling, workload distribution, and productivity management.
• Monitor performance and provide feedback to team members.
• Promote a positive, respectful, and team-oriented work environment.
• Serve as acting department leader in the absence of the Meat Manager.

Customer Service

• Deliver exceptional customer service and foster a customer-first culture.
• Assist customers with product selection, cooking recommendations, and special requests.
• Resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Ensure associates provide knowledgeable and courteous service.
• Support custom cutting and special-order requests when available.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Monitor proper handling, storage, preparation, and temperature controls.
• Follow and enforce company policies and operational procedures.
• Conduct routine inspections to maintain department cleanliness and safety.
• Report and correct food safety or workplace safety concerns immediately.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous meat department, grocery, food service, or retail experience required.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Knowledge of meat cutting, merchandising, inventory control, and food safety practices preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to push, pull, bend, reach, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to work in refrigerated and freezer environments.
• Ability to safely operate knives, slicers, grinders, saws, and other meat department equipment.

Key Competencies

• Leadership
• Customer Focus
• Team Development
• Food Safety Awareness
• Inventory Management
• Merchandising Excellence
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Organization
• Accountability

The Assistant Meat Manager plays a vital role in supporting department success by ensuring high-quality products, strong operational execution, food safety compliance, associate development, and an outstanding customer experience.