Prepared Foods Manager in Lexington, Kentucky at Good Foods Co-op Inc

Prepared Foods Manager – Full Time

Good Foods Co-op is a community-owned natural foods grocery dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable food system. We support local farmers and producers while creating a welcoming, inclusive shopping experience for everyone in our community.

We’re looking for a Prepared Foods Manager who is passionate about natural foods, team leadership, and delivering high-quality prepared meals and customer service. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced kitchen and retail environment, enjoys leading and developing staff, and is committed to operational excellence.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll oversee daily operations in the Prepared Foods Department by:

• Managing department staff, scheduling, training, and performance development
• Overseeing food production, inventory management, and ordering processes
• Ensuring high-quality prepared foods and excellent customer service standards
• Monitoring department sales, labor, margin, and inventory performance
• Coordinating staffing plans and labor usage to support business goals
• Maintaining clean, organized, and food-safe production and retail areas
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations
• Supporting merchandising, displays, signage, and product presentation
• Monitoring product quality, minimizing shrink, and managing unsellable items
• Collaborating with leadership on promotions, category management, and operational improvements
• Providing leadership, coaching, and support to Prepared Foods staff
• Filling in operationally within the department as needed

What We’re Looking For

We’re excited to meet someone who:

• Has 5 years previous Prepared Foods, kitchen, or natural foods retail experience
• Has minimum 5 years management and staff leadership experience
• Demonstrates strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Works effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
• Brings a strong customer service focus and positive leadership style
• Has knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
• Is reliable, detail-oriented, and solution-focused
• Has a strong interest in natural and organic foods and cooperative values
• Is comfortable working flexible schedules, including weekends
• Can safely lift up to 50 lbs and work in varied kitchen and retail environments

What It’s Like to Work Here

At Good Foods Co-op, you’re more than just an employee—you’re part of a community. We value collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Our Prepared Foods team plays an important role in creating fresh, high-quality meals while supporting local ingredients, sustainable practices, and exceptional customer experiences.

Physical & Work Environment

• Fast-paced kitchen, retail, and backroom environment
• Regular standing, walking, bending, lifting, and repetitive movement
• Frequent exposure to hot, cold, and wet environments
• Use of kitchen equipment, machinery, ladders, and production tools
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise and shared workspaces
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and team lift over 100 lbs as needed

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive wage based on experience

• Leadership development and growth opportunities
• Dynamic and collaborative team environment

Full-time employees eligible for benefits after 90 days, including:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) with employer match after 1 year

All employees receive:

• Store discount
• Paid vacation time

Equal Opportunity Employer

Good Foods Co-op does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class.

QUALIFICATIONS

Availability – Must be available to work as scheduled and at least one weekend day each week.

• Education and/or Experience

1. High School diploma or equivalent. Prepared Foods experience preferred.
2. Previous retail, Prepared Foods or natural foods experience.
3. Service-oriented individual with high energy, positive and friendly demeanor.
4. Minimum 5 years of Prepared Foods experience, preferably in a natural food Prepared Foods setting.
5. Minimum 5 years personnel management experience; upper-level management preferred.
6. Excellent communications skills including the ability to work effectively in one-on-one and small group relationships and help facilitate the movement of ideas to concrete action plans with co-workers.
7. Must have strong analytical skills to evaluate data and respond to emerging trends.
8. Must have excellent organizational skills and consistently follow through on commitments and implementation plans.
9. Knowledge of current trends in natural foods industry.
10. Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds on a repetitive basis.
11. Regular, predictable attendance.
12. Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet the changing requirements of the job.
13. High level of interest in natural and organic foods. High level of interest in the cooperative business structure and in the long-term sustainability of locally-owned, independent businesses preferred.
14. Very strong work ethic and demonstrable attention to detail. Must be a fast, focused, and hardworking person.
15. Experience working with the public. Experience with diverse cultures and backgrounds preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Fast paced work environment
• Business office with moderate to loud environment including but not limited to: Computers, printers, paging, telephones, human voices, equipment, and machinery
• Work near moving mechanical parts (i.e. store equipment, tools, etc.)
• Work in cold/hot climate areas (i.e. outdoors, walk in cooler, freezer)
• Ability to work in an environment with moderate to loud noises (i.e. equipment and machinery)
• Crowded work spaces. Equipment sharing required
• Work in high precarious places (i.e. ladders, ladder work)

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Standing for long periods of time
• Walking, bending, sitting, reaching for long periods of time.
• Using hands or fingers to handle or feel
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to team lift up to and over 100 lbs.
• Ability to climb up and down step stools, ladders
• Ability to use feet and hands to operate machinery and equipment
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and wet climates
• High level of maneuverability
• Ability to communicate by talking and hearing

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE

The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, requirements, and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that the employee may be required to perform. The employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations or a work environment change.