Senior Manager, Food Operations

Referred applicants should not apply directly to this role.

All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague.

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued - as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

Senior Manager, Food Operations

Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Front Store Operations & Systems, the incumbent develops, implements, and provides expert direction on the Store operating standards, protocols, and processes specific to the Shoppers Drug Mart Convenience Food categories with the focus on food handling and safety. The incumbent monitors and supports the achievement of projected sales and profit margins and optimizes the performance of Food operations by identifying operational gaps, providing expert guidance, information, and direction to improve results.

What You'll Do:

• Oversees and manages the Food Specialist acting as the expert in Food Operations corporately and liaising closely with Associate-Owners, Front Store Managers, and District Managers to ensure consistency of Fresh Food operating, merchandising, and safety standards to achieve performance objectives and foster an environment of continuous improvement.
• Provides expert advice to Associate-Owners, Front Store Managers, and District Managers on methods to improve Fresh Food area sales and productivity performance, minimize loss, and maximize profit opportunities with respect to specific stores, through analysis of financial metrics and on-site operational visits as needed.
• Liaises with respective Business stakeholders to maximize the Fresh Food business growth and performance to achieve or exceed financial goals.
• Closely monitors key operational metrics as related to Food categories both nationally and specific to Fresh Food locations to identify, develop, and implement solutions to maximize financial performance and improve efficiencies and productivity in daily operations.
• Works closely with external and internal stakeholders and Business partners to develop and execute National, Regional, or Format-specific programs managing the Store operational change management to ensure operational effectiveness and successful implementation.
• Conducts thorough analysis and review of store-level Fresh Food data and mentors and assists the Food Specialist with the creation of store-specific action plans. Engages, as required, with the Front Store Manager, Assistant Manager, and District Manager to address areas of concern.
• Creates communication plans and materials for Food related initiatives in collaboration with other key stakeholders.
• Develops and documents new Food operating standards and tools as required as well as ensuring the ongoing maintenance and updating of the current Food operating standards documentation and tools.
• Certified to deliver the Food Safety Certification Program and new Store Onboarding for Shoppers Drug Mart. As a Certified Trainer, delivers the Program nationally and proctors the final exam to participants. Accountable for the maintenance of the certified food handler database and schedule for re-certification.
• Accountable for follow-up on compliance to food safety handling and controls and completing necessary remediation with Front Store Manager and Assistant Manager as needed.
• Accountable for the execution and communication of activities related to the operational requirements for the rollout of new Fresh Food Concept locations. Includes managing training timelines and ensuring deadlines are met, conducting on-site training, and providing Food operational expertise including Backroom organization and processes.
• Responsible for Food Safety and Pest Program escalations as needed
• Assists Associate-Owners and Front Store Managers as needed with the hiring and training of the Assistant Manager Food role for new stores, conversions, and vacancies.
• Prepare and present presentations and Store visit reports/summaries.
• Commitment to leadership and adhering to the Company’s Blue Culture and CORE Values.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

What You Need:
This position requires an advanced level of initiative and judgment in order to organize and prioritize tasks, workload, and projects. Courtesy, tact and diplomacy are required in dealing with Associate-Owners, their employees, and Central Office colleagues in every day working relationships.

• Requires the ability to improve work processes and teams. Supervises related processes and people by leading work or project teams.
• Requires specialized interpersonal skills to resolve situations with colleagues where there may be some level of conflict, stress or uncertainty.
• Coaching skills, influence, provide feedback and help manage change.
• Provides solutions by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required.
• Utilizes decision making skills to achieve specific organizational objectives.
• Adaptable to set and prioritize work with varying exceptions. Able to work with diverse personalities and styles.
• Communicates with clarity, verbally and in one on one or group situations, or over the telephone.
• Communicates well in writing by composing clear documents; facility with editing and proof-reading is required.
• Able to clearly and effectively present to a large group of people.
• Computer skills to produce and interpret reports, documents, and presentations.
• Knowledge of inventory management.
• Professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with Associates and colleagues including Senior Management.
• Strong business sense with a solid ability to solve problems and think on an analytical level.
• Strong communication and organization skills.
• Results oriented with a strong sense of urgency.
• Excellent facilitation and leadership skills and ability to present to large groups
• Strong project management and change management skills.
• Flexible to extensive travel nationally up to 50% of the time.

Experience

• 5-10 years of retail management experience preferably in Food. 5+ years of SDM experience would be considered an asset.

Education

• Post-secondary education preferred.

Certificates, Licenses or Registration

• Hold a valid Driver’s License

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars - Environment, Sourcing and Community - and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values - Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence - guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits - these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.