Service Manager

Gjusta Grocer Now Hiring: Grocer Manager
Location: Venice, CA
Position Type: Full-Time

POSITION SUMMARY: The Gjusta Grocer Service Manager leads the guest experience and daily service operations at Gjusta Grocer. This is a hands-on, guest-facing leadership role centered on hospitality, product knowledge, thoughtful merchandising and team development.

The Service Manager develops a dynamic neighborhood market by curating products, building vendor relationships, and creating tastings, pop-ups and seasonal activations that encourage discovery, support sales and bring guests back.

The role owns Grocer ordering, replenishment and inventory with support from the Assistant Operations Manager, and collaborates with the Farmers Market Buyer, Culinary, Beverage, Goods and Operations teams on product selection and business growth.

GENERAL ATTRIBUTES:

• To maintain a high customer service focus by approaching your job with our guests’ satisfaction always in mind.
• To have a positive impact, taking responsibility and initiative to resolve issues, always clearly communicating with both guests and your colleagues.
• To be decisive, accepting responsibility for making things happen, thinking ahead and developing contingency plans (while ensuring that you have the support to get the job done).
• To be motivated and committed, approaching all tasks with enthusiasm, and seizing opportunities to learn new skills or knowledge in order to improve your performance.
• To be flexible, responding quickly and positively to changing environments
• To maintain high team focus by strong leadership, showing cooperation, and support to colleagues in the pursuit of department goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties may be assigned):

Leadership & Guest Experience

• Lead the guest-facing service team on the floor, reinforcing Gjusta hospitality and daily priorities.
• Lead counter, beverage and prepared-food service, station coverage, opening and closing, and timely guest recovery.
• Build neighborhood guest relationships through product discovery and thoughtful recommendations.

Product Curation, Merchandising & Vendor Partnerships

• Collaborate with the Farmers Market Buyer, Culinary, Beverage and Goods teams on a dynamic product assortment.
• Own store merchandising, seasonal displays and product presentation to encourage discovery and sales.
• Build relationships with farms, producers and vendors; identify new products and partnerships.
• Use sales and guest feedback to recommend seasonal assortment changes.
• Lead product education across provisions, coffee, beer, wine, flowers and prepared foods.

Pop-ups, Events & Activations

• Develop vendor tastings, flower pop-ups and seasonal activations in partnership with Goods and Operations.
• Own approved activation logistics, vendors, staffing, service and presentation; review results and guest feedback.

Ordering, Inventory & Store Operations

• Own routine Grocer ordering, replenishment, inventory levels and product availability, with support from the Assistant Operations Manager.
• Oversee receiving, stock rotation, inventory controls, invoice variances and waste tracking.
• Coordinate Bakery transfers, pars, product availability and intercompany records.
• Purchase within approved budgets and procedures; elevate significant vendor, pricing or assortment decisions to Operations.

Team Development, Scheduling & Service Standards

• Recruit, onboard, train and develop Counter Attendants and Shift Leads with Operations and HR.
• Build schedules within labor plans; manage staffing, breaks, timekeeping, overtime and attendance.
• Lead pre-shifts and product education; communicate seasonal items, 86s and service updates.
• Partner with Operations and HR on employee relations and performance matters.
• Ensure sanitation, food safety, alcohol-service standards, equipment care, side work and opening/closing duties are maintained.

Revenue, Reporting & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Review product movement, average check and activation results with the Director of Operations.
• Coordinate cross-department products, training and events with Bakery, Goods, Culinary, Beverage and the Farmers Market Buyer.
• Maintain POS, online ordering, merchandising and inventory records to support new programs.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support operational improvements, compliance, special projects and seasonal initiatives as directed.
• Perform other duties and projects within the position’s purpose as business needs require.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: The Service Manager leads the Grocer team, develops schedules, directs daily service, coordinates training, and addresses service and performance concerns in accordance with company policies. The position partners with the Director of Operations, Assistant Operations Manager and Human Resources on hiring, employee relations, corrective action and other personnel decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 3+ years of hospitality, specialty retail, café or grocery experience preferred.
• Prior service leadership or management experience, with demonstrated merchandising and guest-service skills.
• Working knowledge of coffee, beer, wine and specialty food products; interest in producers and seasonal sourcing.
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong hospitality foundation with demonstrated ability to coach, train, develop, and lead teams.
• Must be organized, self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Ability to prioritize daily operations while developing vendor partnerships, merchandising and in-store activations.
• Proficient with POS technology, scheduling systems, and other front-of-house operating tools.
• Basic Excel and/or Google Sheets proficiency for purchasing, inventory, sales and labor reporting.
• Strong product knowledge and ability to educate guests on ingredients, sourcing, beverages and seasonal offerings.
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and food handling procedures.
• Ability to train, teach, coach, and lead employees effectively.
• Ability to work with speed and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, accountability, and professionalism.
• Adaptable, team-oriented, dependable, and collaborative.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Manager Food Handler Certification or ability to obtain as required.
• Must understand and comply with applicable Department of Health requirements related to food service and guest safety.

CERTIFICATES & TRAINING:

• County/State Approved Manager Food Handler Certification
• State Approved Alcohol Awareness Training Program
• State Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
• Working knowledge of Department of Health requirements related to food service, employee safety, and guest safety

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the position is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods of time. The employee must be able to regularly lift, carry, or move up to 25 pounds; frequently lift, carry, or move up to 35 pounds; and occasionally lift, carry, or move up to 45 pounds. The position may also require bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, grasping, lifting above the shoulders, and working with restaurant equipment and cleaning solutions.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS: The work environment characteristics described are representative of those this position may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level may be moderate to high, with surrounding areas that may be wet, hot, cold, slippery, or humid.