About Market Fresh

Market Fresh is Guelph’s premier independent gourmet grocer focused on local producers and products. We have been in operation for over 20 years and pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service and quality food. Our full-service grocery store includes a scratch bakery, butcher shop, deli, commercial kitchen, Gourmet to Go Cafe, full kitchen, garden center and giftware area.

Market

Fresh is a celebration of fine food—making us a destination shopping experience for community members and visitors. Our MF in the Community program seeks to raise awareness and funding for local not-for-profit programs and charities aligned to our mission to buy local, be local, support local.

The Prospect

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hands-on Gourmet to Go Supervisor to support the day-to-day operations of our busy café-style department.

Gourmet To Go is a fast-paced, customer-facing department offering a variety of fresh food and beverage options, including breakfast and lunch sandwiches, specialty coffee and espresso drinks, pizzas, and a daily hot food selection prepared by our kitchen.

Working closely with the Department Manager, you will help lead the team, maintain high standards, and ensure the department operates smoothly and efficiently. This role is particularly important in providing consistent leadership and direction when the Department Manager is away.

The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, and thrives in a busy environment where multitasking, customer service, and attention to detail are essential. This is a working supervisory role that requires someone who enjoys being hands-on while also taking responsibility for supporting and guiding a team.

Key Responsibilities

Department Operations & Leadership

- Support the Department Manager with the daily operation of Gourmet To Go, helping ensure the department runs smoothly, efficiently, and consistently.
- Provide day-to-day direction, guidance, and support to team members, ensuring tasks and responsibilities are clearly communicated.
- Take the lead in overseeing department operations in the Manager's absence, maintaining service standards and ensuring all daily responsibilities are completed.
- Coordinate daily workflow, assign tasks, and adjust priorities based on customer traffic and operational needs.
- Monitor staffing and break schedules to ensure adequate coverage throughout the day.
- Lead by example by maintaining a hands-on presence and actively participating in all areas of department operations.
- Assist with training and onboarding new employees, ensuring team members are knowledgeable about products, equipment, recipes,



and department procedures.
- Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to team members, addressing performance concerns and communicating issues to the Department Manager as required.

Food & Beverage Preparation

- Oversee and participate in daily food service operations, including serving sandwiches, wraps, and hot table meals prepared by the kitchen team.
- Prepare pizza toppings and assemble, bake, and serve pizzas to order.
- Prepare and serve coffee, espresso, tea, and specialty café beverages while maintaining quality and consistency.
- Ensure food is properly handled, stored, displayed, labelled, and rotated according to food safety standards.
- Maintain attractive, well-stocked displays and ensure products are properly priced and presented.
- Monitor product availability and communicate preparation and replenishment needs to the kitchen and Department Manager.
- Ensure department equipment is used properly and maintained in good working condition.

Customer Service & Merchandising

- Set the standard for exceptional customer service by creating a welcoming, energetic, and engaging atmosphere.
- Lead by example with a friendly, outgoing, and confident approach, proactively engaging customers.
- Maintain strong product knowledge and confidently answer questions about menu items, ingredients, and preparation.
- Make recommendations, suggest complementary products, and identify opportunities to upsell food and beverages.
- Ensure orders are taken and fulfilled accurately and efficiently, even during busy periods.
- Coach and encourage team members to provide friendly, attentive, and proactive customer service.
- Handle customer concerns and complaints professionally and effectively.
- Maintain clean, organized, well-stocked, and visually appealing displays and service areas.

Health, Safety & Cleanliness

- Ensure food safety, sanitation, and workplace health and safety procedures are consistently followed.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout the department, including equipment, workstations, and customer-facing areas.
- Ensure opening, closing, and daily cleaning procedures are completed accurately.
- Identify and communicate equipment issues, maintenance requirements,



and other operational concerns to the Department Manager.

Experience and Qualifications

- 2–3 years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role within food service, hospitality, retail, or a similar fast-paced environment.
- Previous experience in food preparation, café operations, or customer-facing food service is strongly preferred.
- Strong food handling skills and knowledge of food safety practices.
- Coffee and espresso preparation experience is an asset.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently under pressure.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to guide, motivate, and support a team.
- Takes initiative, demonstrates sound judgment, and is comfortable working independently.
- Flexible availability, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays as required.

What You Get At Market Fresh, we believe great people make great teams. You'll have the opportunity to work in a dynamic food-focused environment alongside a passionate team, with some of the lifestyle benefits that come with working outside the traditional restaurant industry.

- More Manageable Hours: Our store closes at 7 PM, meaning no late-night shifts.
- Holiday Time Off: Enjoy time with family and friends on select holidays when our store is closed, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Family Day, Easter Sunday, and Thanksgiving Day.
- Staff Discount: Enjoy 20% off your purchases at Market Fresh.
- Employee Advantages: Access to our employee benefits program after six months of full time employment.
- Community Connections: Opportunities to participate in local events, build relationships with local producers and vendors, and get involved in charitable initiatives and community activities.

Why Market Fresh? At Market Fresh, we're proud of the food we serve and the people who make it happen. Gourmet To Go is an important part of the Market Fresh experience, and we're looking for someone who takes pride in great food, enjoys working with people, and wants to play an active role in building a strong, reliable team.

If you're a natural leader who enjoys a fast-paced environment, takes initiative, and isn't afraid to roll up your sleeves, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.0 – 44.0 per week

Benefits

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Store discount
- Vision care

Application question(s):
- Please describe your weekly availability.
- What motivated you to apply for this position?

Work Location: In person

📌 Gourmet to Go Supervisor (Guelph)
🏢 Market Fresh
📍 Guelph