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Festival Foods

Wisconsin grocer delivering community-focused service

Guest Services Assistant Department Manager

Full-TimeDeadline 10/6/27
No salary listed
Junior
Oshkosh, WI, USA
In Person
RetailRetail Store Management

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 1 year of previous leadership or supervisor experience in a retail, restaurant, or front desk environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • A high school education is required.
  • Ability to effectively communicate and problem solve with guests and team members.
  • Ability to train, educate, and develop team members.
  • Planning and organizational abilities to manage shifting priorities and demands in a fast-paced environment.
  • Knowledge of safety requirements and company safety policies.
  • Ability to stand in one place for long periods, bend, stoop, kneel regularly, perform repetitive tasks, and use a full range of upper body motion.
  • Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Responsibilities
  • Provide helpful guest service by greeting guests, answering questions, and addressing guest concerns professionally and carefully.
  • Assist the Guest Services Manager with department operations, ensure company policies and procedures are followed, and help achieve goals; lead the team when the Manager is absent.
  • Train and develop associates, help key team members advance, and conduct onboarding and training sessions such as bagger or cashier training.
  • Oversee guest services activities, delegate tasks, and manage team priorities to support a positive guest experience and productivity.
  • Use labor tools to create schedules that balance guest needs and labor budgets, and adjust staffing levels based on guest traffic and item counts throughout the day.
  • Ensure quality standards are met, including quantity expectations at 100% by 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Enforce company policies, ensure accurate timekeeping and compliance with guest services protocols, and maintain department cleanliness, maintenance, and sanitation.
  • Collaborate with Bookkeeping, Loss Prevention (Asset Protection), and management to maintain reporting accuracy and follow up on discrepancies, including disciplinary actions.
  • Attend work regularly and on time in accordance with the schedule, and provide adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

About the company

Festival Foods is a Wisconsin-based grocer with 40+ full-service supermarkets. It provides groceries and everyday essentials with a focus on strong customer service and value, supported by extensive associate benefits and programs that aim to empower staff. The stores stock a wide range of products in a traditional grocery format, including fresh departments, household items, and personal care, and they emphasize community involvement in their operations. Unlike many competitors, Festival Foods differentiates itself through its commitment to giving back to Wisconsin communities and treating guests and associates as top priorities. The company’s goal is to serve Wisconsin communities with reliable, friendly service and good value while supporting its employees and local programs.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

De Pere, Wisconsin

Founded

1946

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Todd Schnuck closed the acquisition on October 20, 2025, adding 51 stores and scale.
  • Festival opened Kimberly on September 20, 2026, and Hudson opens November 8, 2026.
  • Adam Whitney became COO in August 2026, tightening merchandising and fresh execution.

What critics are saying

  • Festival faces a $7.5 million overtime settlement in Dyer v. Skogen’s Foodliner, Inc.
  • Greenfield closed after a November 4, 2026 WARN layoff notice, signaling weak locations.
  • Failed integration erases Festival’s local-brand advantage and triggers customer defections.

What makes Festival Foods unique

  • Festival Foods keeps 42 Wisconsin stores and local banners under 1939 Group, since 2025.
  • Its community-focused format survived Schnuck ownership, preserving headquarters in Wisconsin and store-level autonomy.
  • Mark Skogen’s 2025 sale protected employee legacy through ESOP inclusion and banner continuity.

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Benefits

  • Employee Discounts
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Parental Leave
  • Wellness Program
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match

Company News

Insight on Business
Sep 16th, 2025
Schnuck Markets Acquires Festival Foods

Schnuck Markets, Inc. has acquired 100% of the shares of Festival Foods and Hometown Grocers, Inc. through the 1939 Group, Inc., owned by the Schnuck family. The acquisition includes shares from CEO Mark Skogen and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The 1939 Group will maintain the existing store banners and corporate headquarters, with Todd Schnuck as Chairman and CEO. The transaction is expected to close in October, subject to customary approvals.