Front End Manager - Sobeys, London, ON

Position Summary

Embark on a rewarding career with Sobeys Inc., a proudly Canadian company recognized among Canada’s Top 100 employers. The Front End Manager plays a crucial role in our London, ON store, focusing on leadership, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. This position is integral to fostering a positive environment for both employees and customers.

As a Front End Manager, you will be responsible for coaching, motivating, and developing department staff to build customer loyalty and fulfil customer needs. You will actively contribute to an environment of employee and customer engagement. This role also involves fiscal responsibility for the operation of the department, including managing budgets, labour costs, inventory control, product presentation, and merchandising, all while adhering to established protocols, procedures, policies, and other programs and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

This role encompasses a broad range of duties designed to ensure the smooth and successful operation of the front-end department, focusing on people leadership, customer offering, policy adherence, financial management, personal development, and employee engagement.

• Create a coaching and development culture for all store employees that embraces a passion for food
• Demonstrate outstanding leadership while serving as a role model
• Manage direct reports including selection, orientation, training and development, performance management, succession planning and compensation
• Manage store operations and communicate requirements/changes to department employees as required

• Create a shopping experience that engages customers in a way that enhances loyalty, sales, and profit
• Provide superior customer service to meet customer needs
• Demonstrate exceptional product knowledge, including awareness of product changes, promotions, and seasonal trends
• Order, receive, organize, rotate, merchandise and present products and stock in accordance with company standards

• Ensure all applicable company policies and procedures are communicated and adhered to by employees
• Ensure that Occupational Health & Safety, Food Safety, and other regulatory requirements and procedures are implemented and maintained
• Maintain a thorough understanding of all relevant company programs and attend training as required

• Balance cash office according to company policies and procedures
• Manage the department budget and ensure the department achieves all financial targets and maximizes sales and margins, including appropriate sales forecasting, variance analysis and correction, and labour cost control

• Thorough understanding of all relevant company programs; attend training as required
• Keeps abreast of local competitor activity, industry trends and makes recommendations on internal pricing, promotions, and product policies

• Act as the employer of choice by actively supporting an environment of employee engagement
• Initiate, support, participate and lead community and charitable events and activities

• Coordinate maintenance of department equipment and repairs
• Provide feedback for continuous improvement
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment as per Company requirements
• Other duties as required

Required Qualifications and Skills

To succeed in this Front End Manager role, candidates should possess a blend of retail experience, leadership capabilities, and financial acumen. Sobeys values individuals who can thrive in a fast-paced environment and contribute positively to our store culture.

• Minimum 18 months of retail store experience, front-end department experience preferred
• High School Diploma
• Full knowledge of total store and department operations
• Experience reading and analyzing financial reports, and experience in developing and adhering to budgets
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Above average communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment

Compensation and Career Growth

Sobeys offers a competitive compensation package, which is determined by factors such as your working location, work experience, and skills, as well as internal equity and market conditions. Specific compensation details will be discussed with candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process. This role is an opportunity to join a company committed to employee development and community involvement, contributing to a family nurturing families environment.