Grocery Department Manager
About the job
- Completion of a post-secondary program with an emphasis in business, plus a minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in a similar role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Completion of Public Health Food Handler certification, Smart Serve, and Level A First Aid & Basic CPR, or a commitment to obtain all required certifications within six months of hire.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining high performance standards.
- Organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated success in team engagement and development.
- Ability to learn and work with manual and automated systems, along with experience using various computer software applications.
- Ability to work in a hands-on setting involving extended periods of standing, heavy lifting, and work that may be performed in cooler, freezer, and outdoor conditions.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Fluency in English.
- Deliver outstanding customer service while supporting Farm Boy’s vision of the best fresh shopping experience.
- Collaborate with the Store Manager and Retail Specialist to execute strategies that drive performance and achieve departmental goals and business objectives.
- Build a culture of trust and engagement through one-on-one coaching and regular team huddles that share goals, celebrate wins, exchange product knowledge, and encourage feedback.
- Develop and lead a high-performance team by overseeing recruitment, training, coaching, performance reviews, recognition, and ongoing development while maintaining confidentiality and trust.
- Promote and communicate company policies and procedures as outlined during management meetings and within policy manuals, employee handbooks, and written directives to ensure consistent compliance.
- Oversee departmental operations and business deliverables, including inventory management, ordering, item maintenance, product quality and rotation, shrink management, merchandising, invoicing, scheduling, and payroll functions.
- Participate in store coverage rotations as Manager on Duty, including opening and closing duties and supporting emergency alarm response when required.
- Ensure adherence to all Safe Food Handling and Health & Safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to overall store success by undertaking additional responsibilities as required.
- French language skills are considered an asset.
About the company
Farm Boy is a grocery retailer in Ontario that started as a small produce stand and grew into a regional supermarket chain focused on fresh markets, prepared foods, and private-label products. It operates stores offering produce, dairy, deli, bakery and other groceries, emphasizing value and a community-friendly shopping experience. The product works by stocking fresh produce alongside ready-to-eat meals and groceries; Farm Boy builds a curated in-store assortment and private-label lines to differentiate itself from larger chains. Its growth is supported by maintaining founder leadership and brand identity while leveraging outside investment to expand, especially into the Toronto market. The company’s goal is to grow its footprint while preserving the “magic” of Farm Boy—keeping its customer-focused, fresh-market feel and loyalty-building culture as it scales.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Ottawa, Canada
Founded
1981
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- The Collingwood store opened March 26, 2026 with 120 employees and hiring continuing.
- Farm Boy’s June 2026 Findlay Creek opening extended Ottawa density and brand awareness.
- Farm Boy’s recall page lists active enforcement, showing faster response than silent operators.
What critics are saying
- CFIA recalled Farm Boy microgreens on May 15, 2026 for pathogenic E. coli.
- Toronto’s Dupont and Christie store closed over pest concerns after August 2025 infractions.
- One more contamination scandal kills Farm Boy’s premium-fresh trust and weakens Empire’s growth thesis.
What makes Farm Boy unique
- Farm Boy’s 53 Ontario stores kept a distinct fresh-market brand under Empire in June 2026.
- Its private-label program drives signature items like pink salt popcorn and artisan sausages.
- Findlay Creek opened June 18, 2026, showing dense Ottawa expansion and local-market pull.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Training Programs