Fresh Department Team Lead (Food & Retail Supervisor)

About Us

Summerhill Market is a boutique grocery store chain in Toronto, celebrated for our scratch-made prepared meals, premium grocery offerings, and exceptional customer experience. We go beyond the typical grocery store—curating high-quality, hard-to-find products and ready-to-eat gourmet meals made in our own Commissary Kitchen.

We are looking for a Fresh Department Team Lead to join our team at our Annex location. This is a hands-on leadership role supporting the Prepared Foods, Deli, Cheese, Meat, Seafood, and Bakery (as needed) departments. The successful candidate will act as the second-in-command to the Prepared Foods Manager, helping to drive department performance and uphold store standards.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about food, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is ready to take on a leadership role that blends operations, team development, and customer service.

Who Should Apply

We’re open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• Those with kitchen or culinary experience who are interested in bringing their skills to the grocery retail space
• Individuals with general grocery experience (e.g., Grocery, Dairy, Front End, etc.) who are eager to grow into a Fresh Department leadership role
• People who love food, take pride in high-quality service, and are energized by leading a team

Key ResponsibilitiesOperations & Merchandising

• Oversee daily operations across all fresh departments: Prepared Foods, Deli, Cheese, Meat, Seafood, and Bakery (as needed)
• Maintain store conditions to the highest standard—cleanliness, organization, and creative merchandising
• Stock shelves, rotate products, and ensure availability of fresh items throughout the day
• Liaise with the Commissary Kitchen to manage deliveries and ensure product freshness

Inventory Management

• Optimize ordering based on sales trends and customer shopping patterns
• Monitor inventory levels and back stock to reduce shrink and waste
• Ensure best-before dates and food safety protocols are followed meticulously

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional service by offering product knowledge, sampling, and tailored recommendations
• Lead by example in maintaining a customer-first mindset throughout all fresh departments

Leadership & People Management

• Act as a second-in-command, supporting the Prepared Foods Manager in daily execution and strategic planning
• Train, mentor, and manage performance of staff across multiple departments
• Build and manage weekly schedules to ensure operational efficiency
• Support a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote a food safety and health-first environment
• Ensure compliance with all OHSA, public health, and internal safety standards
• Complete logs, audits, and temperature checks as required

Job Requirements

• 3+ years of leadership experience in grocery, food service, or kitchen operations
• Passion for food and a strong interest in the Fresh side of grocery
• Experience managing people, training staff, and handling performance-related responsibilities
• Strong organizational and communication skills; able to multitask in a fast-paced setting
• Food Handler’s Certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Familiarity with ordering systems and store operations is an asset
• Comfortable working in cold environments and lifting up to 50 lbs
• Flexible availability, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and the ability to support other stores as needed
• High school diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in a related field is an asset

Perks of the Job

• Weekly pay
• Employer-paid benefits for full-time staff
• Employee discount
• Flexible scheduling
• Training, development, and promotion from within
• Workwear provided
• Inclusive and energetic team culture
• Easily accessible locations

Equity Statement

Summerhill Market is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and are committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Please note: This job description outlines key responsibilities but may evolve based on business needs at Summerhill Market!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Store discount

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Grocery/Food industry: 3 years (preferred)
• inventory & people management: 1 year (preferred)

Location:

• Toronto, ON M5R 3G7 (preferred)

Work Location: In person