GENERAL MANAGER, District Market Alder

Job Description

Housing & Food Services (HFS) has an outstanding opportunity for a General Manager District Manager - Alder.

The District Market Alder General Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for a high-volume full-service grocery café and deli serving the UW community. This role ensures exceptional customer service efficient day-to-day operations and strong financial performance while fostering a positive inclusive and growth-oriented workplace culture. The manager oversees all aspects of staffing merchandising food safety fiscal management and facility standards to deliver a reliable well-run and student-centered retail market experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

50% - Leadership

Communicates the departments mission values and priorities and ensures unit practices align with organizational goals.

Cultivates a workplace culture centered on exceptional customer service and continuous improvement.

Supervises and supports direct reports ensuring productivity quality customer service and compliance with UW and departmental policies.

Maintains regular presence on the floor (approx. 90% during peak periods) to remain visible and accessible to customers staff and building partners.

Monitors attendance adjusting staffing levels to meet operational needs.

Ensures unit practices comply with all contracts policies and operational standards.

Leads hiring processes provides onboarding and ensures completion of all required HFS and UW trainings.

Trains and evaluates staff in safety customer service food safety and job performance.

Supports direct reports with performance development coaching and opportunities for professional growth.

Conducts timely and accurate performance evaluations providing clear constructive feedback.

Works with HFS Human Resources to ensure adherence to UW HFS and bargaining-unit policies when addressing performance issues or corrective action.

Solicits customer feedback through multiple channels and responds to concerns special requests and service needs.

Monitors compliance with marketing standards and promotions implementing corrective actions when necessary.

25% - Operations and Customer Service

Directs daily operational practices and ensures staff understand and follow unit policies and procedures.

Collaborates with Food Services leadership to develop business plans operational processes and annual budgets.

Creates and maintains staffing schedules to meet customer service and production requirements.

Identifies and recommends new products and merchandising strategies to enhance customer experience.

Conducts in-service trainings on safety food handling and customer service.

Manages inventory from ordering to utilization including purchasing receiving storage production display and point-of-sale execution.

Serves as primary vendor contact for product availability pricing delivery and quality concerns.

Ensures strong controls over inventory equipment and labor resources.

Maintains all service prep and storage areas in clean sanitary and orderly condition in compliance with health department standards.

Sets and maintains par levels to reduce waste and manages documentation and disposal of expired or unsellable product.

Identifies and addresses unsafe conditions hazardous work habits or malfunctioning equipment.

Develops and oversees cleaning programs to ensure consistent sanitation and facility upkeep.

Implements security protocols to prevent theft loss and vandalism.

Prepares and submits all required operational reports including payroll production records and service logs.

Utilizes the Online Accident Reporting System (OARS) for all workplace injuries and notifies appropriate personnel.

Partners with students and student groups in planning and executing special events.

20% - Fiscal Management

Monitors product and service performance collaborating with vendors to adjust offerings and improve revenue and service outcomes.

Reviews daily sales P&L statements and financial reports to identify operational and expense-management opportunities; implements appropriate actions.

Ensures proper controls and separation of duties across purchasing receiving inventory counting and cash handling.

Monitors financial statements production records staffing schedules and inquiries from the HFS Finance team.

Develops and enforces procedures for shrinkage control waste reduction and loss prevention.

Analyzes budget variances identifies root causes and recommends corrective adjustments.

5% - Culinary Focus and Results

Develops and implements new concepts and products that reflect customer needs and support campus and HFS initiatives.

In partnership with the Chef de Cuisine and Executive Chef contributes to menu development product consistency costing and recipe standards.

Collaborates with culinary leadership and the Assistant Director to enhance product quality menu variety and service offerings.

Stays informed on industry and campus dining trends and communicates new ideas to Food Services leadership.

SUPERVISION

Manages supervises and evaluates two Assistant Managers Chef De Cuisine multiple levels of classified employees and student staff.

IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY

HFS Markets play a key role in supporting student life by providing welcoming spaces for socialization collaboration and community-building. The Markets offer extended service hours and a broad selection of food beverage and grocery item to meet the needs of students faculty and staff. Effective management of these operations directly enhances the campus experience and contributes to student well-being and engagement.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES

This position oversees a dynamic high-volume retail environment that requires constant attention to product flow accurate merchandising and timely replenishment. The role manages simultaneous demands related to hot food production deli and grab-and-go preparation and ongoing inventory movement in a fast-paced setting. Balancing operational efficiency food quality and customer service expectations requires strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

HFS Markets operate seven days a week with extended hours from early morning through late evening. While the position is not required to work all operational hours scheduling must ensure consistent leadership presence for both staff and customers across the full span of service. This requires flexibility and the ability to work irregular shifts. The role also requires on-site presence during key University or HFS events which may occur during evenings or weekends.

REPORTS TO

Assistant Director Coffee Roasting Markets and Retail Cafes

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in hospitality business administration or related field.

Minimum of three years of management experience in the food service industry.

Excellent interpersonal organizational analytical communication and problem-solving skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Word Excel Outlook PowerPoint and Project).

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in an area of college or university.

Grocery Store Warehouse Café Operations and Customer Service Experience

Familiarity with inventory control merchandising and planogram applications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A satisfactory outcome from employment reference check.

Washington State Food Card within two weeks of hire and maintenance of thereafter.

ServSafe certification within three months of hire and maintenance of thereafter.

Compensation Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Temporary or Regular

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier return they enjoy outstanding benefits opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity intellectual excitement artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race color creed religion national origin citizenship sex pregnancy age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Services Office at or .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.