Fresh Market Director - Sankofa Community Development
2 days ago
New Orleans
Job DescriptionFresh Start Market Director • Job Type: Full-Time, • Location: Fresh Start Market – 5029 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117, • Schedule: Monday–Saturday; must be available to work Saturdays. One weekday off per week will be scheduled as a regular day off. Fresh Start Market is a community grocery and healthy food hub launched by Sankofa CDC to address food access needs in the Lower Ninth Ward and surrounding areas. The market includes a grocery retail section, a café, a Teaching Kitchen, and a school-based cooking program (Kids in the Kitchen). Our goal is to create a sustainable, mission-aligned retail and programmatic space that brings healthy, affordable food and wellness resources directly to the community. About the Position The Fresh Start Market Director is responsible for the full scope of market operations — overseeing the retail store, café, Teaching Kitchen, and all associated staff and systems. This role requires a hands-on leader with a strong background in food retail, staff supervision, inventory management, and customer service. We are seeking a candidate who is highly organized, solutions-oriented, and capable of creating structure where needed. The ideal candidate understands how to implement and maintain systems, coach and support a team, and take ownership of challenges while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Market. This is a critical leadership role within Sankofa CDC that works closely with the CEO and broader staff. This position requires a hands-on presence throughout the Market. The Director will regularly assist with floor operations and must be comfortable performing physical tasks associated with a grocery and café environment. Duties and ResponsibilitiesRetail Grocery Operations • Oversee daily operations of the retail grocery store, • Ensure consistent implementation of operating procedures across all Market areas, • Maintain product display standards, food safety compliance, and cleanliness, • Assist with stocking, organizing backroom storage, and rotating inventory as needed to support daily operations.Cafe Operations, • Manage café and juice bar offerings, prep coordination, and menu execution, • Maintain product display standards, food safety compliance, and cleanliness, • Schedule and coordinate healthy cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and activities, • Work with chef consultants, dietitians, and program partners to support food health education advisement, • Ensure food safety and preparation standards are followed during all teaching sessionsInventory and Ordering, • Implement and maintain a clear inventory tracking system, • Monitor stock levels and coordinate timely and accurate ordering, • Manage vendor relationships, product pricing, and cost controls, • Reduce spoilage through rotation systems, waste tracking, and staff training, • Connect with local farmers for purchase of their productStaff Leadership and Scheduling, • Supervise, train, and evaluate all staff, including interns and volunteers, • Develop and maintain staff schedules that align with operational needs, • Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback, • Create an accountability culture that supports collaboration, growth, and clear expectationsTechnology and Systems Management, • Maintain point-of-sale systems, including Clover, and troubleshoot as needed, • Use Google Sheets and digital tools to manage staff schedules, product lists, and reporting, • Assist with implementation of an inventory software platform, if selected, • Ensure that systems are easy to use, consistently applied, and documentedStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Equipment Use, • Develop, update, and maintain SOPs for equipment use, cleaning schedules, and daily workflows, • Train staff and interns on equipment handling, café and market station setup/closings, and customer service expectations, • Ensure all procedures are well-documented, accessible, and followed consistently, • Identify areas where new SOPs or adjustments are needed and take initiative to fill gapsCustomer Experience and Strategy, • Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for shoppers and café customers, • Collect and respond to customer feedback, adjusting offerings as needed, • Work with the marketing team to implement promotional strategies, • Attend internal meetings and contribute to broader organizational planning and reportingQualifications, • 3+ years of experience in food retail, grocery, café, or food service management preferred, • Proven ability to manage inventory systems, vendor orders, and cost controls, • Prior supervisory experience including hiring, scheduling, training, and coaching, • Knowledge of food safety and ServSafe best practices (ServSafe certification preferred), • Familiarity with Clover POS or similar retail systems, • Experience writing or implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), • Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills, • Ability to work independently while collaborating with a broader team, • Experience with nonprofit or mission-based groceries a plus, • Knowledge of cafe and barista systems, • Stand and walk for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours during a shift), • Lift, carry, push, or pull items up to 40 pounds, such as boxes of produce, cases of product, and equipment, • Bend, reach, climb small step ladders, and perform repetitive motions, • Work in environments that may vary in temperature, including refrigerated areas, kitchen spaces, and outdoor areas during events, • Safely handle kitchen tools and equipment during café or teaching kitchen support, • Perform tasks that involve continuous interaction with customers, staff, volunteers, and vendors, • Tolerate moderate noise levels typical of a grocery and café setting Powered by JazzHR 5OIeqcRbE1