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Alex Lee

Grocery retail and wholesale distributor

Kitchen Manager

Full-TimeDeadline 9/18/27
No salary listed
Mid
Kingstree, SC, USA
In Person
Food Service & HospitalityFood & Beverage Operations Management

About the job

Requirements
  • The candidate must have a friendly, outgoing personality.
  • The candidate must be able to work well with others.
  • The candidate must be able to lift 25 pounds consistently and 50 pounds occasionally.
  • The candidate must be able to read and understand information and directions.
  • The candidate must have knowledge of kitchen, deli, and bakery operations.
  • The candidate must be able to supervise people, including training and development.
  • The candidate must demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn multiple tasks and technical requirements of the job.
  • The candidate must have effective communication, guest service, and selling skills.
  • The candidate must be at least 18 years old.
  • The candidate must be able to bend, kneel, and stand for extended periods.
  • The candidate must be able to communicate effectively with the Store Manager and Merchandiser.
  • The candidate must be able to work well with computers.
  • The candidate must hold a Food Safety Manager Certification.
Responsibilities
  • Ensure sanitation and physical and food safety standards are maintained through internal and external audits and established expectations.
  • Train, coach, develop, and provide feedback to Bluebird Kitchen, Deli, and Bakery department hosts to achieve established performance standards.
  • Train, coach, develop, and provide feedback to Assistant Managers in the Bluebird Kitchen, Deli, and Bakery department to ensure consistent support and oversight during the Kitchen Manager’s absence or days off.
  • Ensure kitchen hosts provide guests with the desired level of service consistent with established purpose, priorities, and service standards.
  • Collaborate with department managers and store teams to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and increase gross profit.
  • Ensure department financials align with the established budget and meet guest needs and demands, including food cost, shrink, and gross profit.
  • Achieve budgeted sales, shrink, and profits for the Bluebird Kitchen, Deli, and Bakery department.
  • Monitor and manage inventory to ensure food quality and desired product, wrap, and supply levels.
  • Execute company merchandising programs and weekly sales plans for the Bluebird Kitchen, Deli, and Bakery department.
  • Ensure products for sale meet Floco Foods quality standards.
  • Perform and ensure all brand elements and expectations are met and delivered, including rituals and specific guest experiences.
  • Perform product preparation, receiving, ordering, stocking, and guest service to achieve standards.
  • Create department schedules that meet business needs, balance host needs, and comply with labor budget and scheduling standards.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by management.

About the company

Alex Lee, Inc. is a privately held grocery group in the southeastern United States that runs both wholesale distribution and retail banners. It owns wholesale subsidiaries Merchants Distributors, Souto Foods, W. Lee Flowers, and Import Mex, and operates retail banners Lowes Foods and Kj’s Market, serving about 2,000 wholesale stores and more than 140 retail locations across 13 states. The company supports both wholesale and retail sales and follows a philosophy that customer and supplier success drives its own success, along with programs for employee development and innovation. Its goal is to grow profitability and reach by helping customers and suppliers succeed, while providing a place where people can build lifelong careers.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$400M

Headquarters

Hickory, North Carolina

Founded

1931

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Lowes Foods opened Lyman on August 20, 2026, showing active expansion despite closures.
  • Alex Lee won FMI's 2026 Sidney R. Rabb statesmanship award, reinforcing industry credibility.
  • Revelio shows 1,278 2026 job postings, suggesting hiring momentum after headcount stabilized.

What critics are saying

  • July 2026 closures at Conway IGA and three stores signal portfolio strain and shrinking demand.
  • Rebranding KJ's locations into Lowes Foods risks customer churn and integration costs through 2026.
  • A failed retail turnaround or margin compression could force asset sales and break Alex Lee's empire.

What makes Alex Lee unique

  • Alex Lee spans wholesale, retail, and ethnic distribution across Southeast grocery markets.
  • Lowes Foods and KJ's Market let Alex Lee rebrand stores without losing local reach.
  • Merchants Distributors signed Swiftly in March 2026, modernizing circulars across its network.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Tuition Reimbursement

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

18%

1 year growth

20%

2 year growth

20%
PR Newswire
Aug 23rd, 2023
First Citizens Bank Serves As Syndication Agent, Joint Lead Arranger And Joint Bookrunner On $400 Million Financing For Alex Lee Inc.

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Citizens Bank today announced that it served as syndication agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner on a $400 million senior credit facility for Alex Lee Inc. The five-year revolving credit facility refinanced existing debt and increased the facility size to support the company's continued business growth.Alex Lee Inc. is a family-owned and operated company based in Hickory, North Carolina whose portfolio of wholesale food distribution and retail grocery store brands includes Merchants Distributors, Souto Foods, Lowes Foods and W. Lee Flowers & Company. The company has completed several acquisitions and expansions in recent years, widening its distribution network and retail footprint."We appreciate the role that First Citizens played in arranging financing to support our continued growth in the grocery wholesale and supermarket industries," said Brian George, president & CEO at Alex Lee Inc

Daily Union
May 13th, 2022
Alex Lee, Inc. recognized as winner in the “Large Employer” category

Alex Lee, Inc. was declared the winner in the “Large Employer” category, and Cleveland County Government in the “Small/Midsize Employer” category.