Hospitality Manager - Olliffe Butcher Shop at VG Meats – Toronto, Ontario

Olliffe isn't just a butcher shop—it's a destination.

Established in 1975 and now part of the Harvest to Gather family, Olliffe has served Toronto's most discerning customers for nearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Rosedale, we're known for exceptional whole-animal butchery, deep product knowledge, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture that sets us apart from the ordinary.

We believe grocery shopping should be an experience. We believe the person behind the counter should know more about your dinner than you do. And we believe that how we raise and source our food matters.

Now, we're looking for someone to take us even higher.

We're seeking a Hospitality Manager who understands that exceptional meat deserves an exceptional experience.

This role blends the precision of fine dining hospitality with the craft of artisan butchery. You'll lead a team that transforms a grocery errand into a culinary event—educating customers, curating meals, and building relationships that keep people coming back for decades.

You'll set exacting standards, develop your team, and be the face of Olliffe on the shop floor. You'll greet customers by name, know what they're cooking this weekend, and make sure they leave with everything they need to make it perfect.

Think: Michelin-star service in a butcher shop.

Lead the Customer Experience

• Create a warm, knowledgeable, and memorable experience for every customer
• Curate meals—anticipating what customers need and guiding them to a better cooking experience
• Handle special requests and complaints with grace, turning challenges into loyalty
• Build personal relationships with regulars; know their names, preferences, and families

Develop & Coach the Team

• Train team members on product knowledge, service standards, and systems
• Conduct daily huddles, monthly one-on-ones, and ongoing coaching
• Lead by example—jump behind the counter during a rush, stay late when needed
• Build a bench of capable team members ready to step into leadership

Drive Visual Merchandising & Seasonal Storytelling

• Create stunning meat displays that draw customers in and inspire purchases
• Refresh the case weekly; overhaul for holidays and seasons
• Cross-merchandise thoughtfully (duck fat next to potatoes, marinades next to steaks)
• Document beautiful displays for social media and future reference

Own Food Safety & Operations

• Lead daily sanitation checklists and conduct regular safety audits
• Enforce HACCP principles, temperature control, and health regulations without compromise
• Manage inventory through LightSpeed POS, Vercel, and planogram tools
• Minimize shrinkage, reduce waste, and hit margin targets

Amplify the Brand

• Post 3-5 pieces of social media content weekly from the shop floor
• Capture behind-the-scenes moments, beautiful displays, and customer stories
• Coordinate with marketing on campaigns while keeping content authentic
• Be a credible ambassador for regenerative agriculture—tell the story of our farms

Experience & Skills

• Background in fine dining hospitality, premium food retail, or butcher shop management
• Working knowledge of meat cuts, aging processes, and cooking methods (or genuine eagerness to learn)
• Proficiency with POS systems and inventory management
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and develop a team
• Strong social media skills with an eye for visual storytelling
• Food handler certification (or willingness to obtain immediately)

Personal Qualities

• Natural warmth and genuine enjoyment of customer interaction
• Calm under pressure; able to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Emotional intelligence to read customers and support team members
• Willingness to do any task—from serving customers to sweeping floors
• Passion for quality food and sustainable sourcing

Metric

Target

Customer satisfaction

95%+ positive feedback

Shrinkage/waste

Mass balance established, zero unexplained variances

Average transaction value

+10% year-over-year

Staff retention

90%+ annually

Social media growth

+20% followers, 5%+ engagement rate

Food safety

Zero critical violations

Team product knowledge

90%+ on monthly assessments

Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus performance bonus tied to company cash performance

Benefits: Added after the standard waiting period and once preliminary targets are achieved.

Growth Path: This role is designed for someone who wants to grow with Harvest to Gather. High performers may have opportunities to:

• Take on multi-location responsibility
• Contribute to new store openings
• Develop training programs for the broader organisation
• Participate in strategic planning and brand development

• Get genuinely excited about a beautiful steak and what to pair with it
• Treat a $20 purchase with the same care as a $200 order
• Find satisfaction in developing others
• Take pride in the details—the clean case, the perfect wrap, the remembered name
• Believe that how we raise and source our food matters

Harvest to Gather is a family of brands united by a commitment to exceptional meat and sustainable agriculture. Our network includes VG Meats, Rowe Farms, and Olliffe—together operating 8 retail locations across Southern Ontario. We're fourth-generation butchers with roots stretching back 150 years, and we're just getting started.