Department Manager | Toronto
Top Benefits
About the role
ABOUT SUMMERHILL MARKET
Summerhill Market is a family-owned grocery retailer proudly serving Toronto since 1959. With multiple retail locations across the GTA, we're known for exceptional customer service, premium products, chef-inspired prepared foods, and an outstanding shopping experience.
As we continue to grow, we're always looking to connect with exceptional retail leaders who are passionate about food, people, and delivering operational excellence.
Whether your expertise is in Bakery, Meat, Produce, Deli, Floral, Grocery, Prepared Foods, Front End, or another specialty department, we'd love to hear from you.
POSITION SUMMARY
Department Managers are responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of their department while delivering exceptional customer experiences, developing high-performing teams, and driving strong operational and financial results.
This role is ideal for experienced retail leaders who enjoy coaching teams, improving processes, maintaining exceptional merchandising standards, and creating an outstanding shopping environment.
Our Department Managers are hands-on leaders who lead by example, support their teams on the floor, and take pride in delivering quality every day.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
OPERATIONS
- Lead the daily operation of your department while ensuring exceptional customer service
- Maintain outstanding merchandising, cleanliness, food safety, and product quality standards
- Manage inventory, ordering, shrink, product rotation, and department presentation
- Execute promotional programs, seasonal initiatives, and new product launches
LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
- Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop team members
- Build a positive, accountable, and customer-focused culture
- Conduct performance coaching and support employee development
- Foster teamwork and communication across departments
FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
- Manage labour scheduling and department productivity
- Monitor sales, margins, shrink, inventory, and operational KPIs
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining exceptional standards
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
- Deliver an outstanding shopping experience every day
- Resolve customer concerns professionally and effectively
- Lead by example while supporting your team on the sales floor
FOOD SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
- Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, health & safety, and company standards
- Maintain department readiness for inspections and audits
- Promote safe working practices throughout the department
WE'RE LOOKING FOR LEADERS IN
🌸 Floral
🥖 Bakery
🥩 Meat
🥗 Prepared Foods
🧀 Deli
🥬 Produce
🛒 Grocery
💳 Front End
📦 Receiving
QUALIFICATIONS
- 3–7+ years of progressive retail leadership experience
- Previous experience as a Department Manager, Assistant Department Manager, Team Lead, Supervisor, or similar leadership role
- Experience within grocery, specialty food, retail, hospitality, or food production environments
- Strong customer service and merchandising knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Experience managing schedules, labour, inventory, and department performance
- Food Handler Certification is considered an asset (where applicable)
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
👥 Inspiring people leaders who develop strong teams
🛒 Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences
📈 Results-driven with strong operational and business acumen
💡 Continuously looking for ways to improve efficiency and department performance
🤝 Collaborative leaders who enjoy working cross-functionally
💪 Hands-on managers who aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and support the team
WHY JOIN SUMMERHILL MARKET?
✔ Competitive compensation
✔ Opportunities for growth and internal promotion
✔ Comprehensive benefits for eligible employees
✔ Supportive leadership and collaborative culture
✔ Work with one of Toronto's most respected independent grocery retailers
✔ Be part of a company that values quality, innovation, and people
SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS
- Full-Time Permanent Opportunities
- Flexible availability including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Schedule based on business and operational requirements
DON'T SEE YOUR DEPARTMENT LISTED?
We're always looking for exceptional retail leaders.
If you're passionate about food, customer service, and leading great teams, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and tell us where your expertise lies—we're continually building our leadership talent pipeline across all Summerhill Market locations.
SUMMERHILL MARKET IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Summerhill Market is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace where all employees feel valued and supported. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
We are committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest in Summerhill Market; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.