Market Assistant Manager & Kitchen Lead

Job Title: Market Assistant Manager & Kitchen Lead

FLSA Status: Full Time

Reports to: Retail Manager

Work Location: Marion Barry Avenue Market (1303 Marion Barry Avenue SE)

Compensation: $24.04-$25.50 per hour

Dreaming Out Loud is recruiting for this position on a continuous basis, with applications reviewed every 3–4 weeks.

Dreaming Out Loud, Inc.

Dreaming Out Loud’s mission is to create economic opportunities for the DC metro region’s marginalized communities through building a healthy, equitable food system. We are rebuilding urban, community-based food systems through cooperative social enterprise: increasing access to healthy food, improving community health, supporting entrepreneurs and cooperatives from low-income communities, and creating opportunities for at-risk residents to earn sustainable, family-supporting wages and build wealth. We believe that all communities deserve equal access to fresh, healthy food choices, but that achieving this requires moving beyond the “access” paradigm to a focus on community self-determination and food sovereignty. Utilizing the food system as a catalyst, we are working to create an integrated pipeline to jobs, economic opportunity, and community wealth-building for our most marginalized communities.

Position Summary

The Market Assistant Manager & Kitchen Lead ensures the efficient day-to-day operations of both the retail store and café, providing leadership and support to frontline staff. This role is responsible for supervising shifts, overseeing inventory, maintaining food safety standards, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and committed to operational excellence, customer service, and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Market Oversight

• Lead opening and closing procedures, including securing the premises and preparing for daily operations.
• Supervise and support staff during assigned shifts, assigning tasks, managing break schedules, and ensuring staff coverage during peak hours.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.
• Address staff performance concerns in real time and escalate as needed.
• Document and report daily sales, inventory discrepancies, and operational issues to management.

Customer Experience

• Greet and assist customers to ensure a welcoming and satisfying shopping and dining experience.
• Respond to customer inquiries, complaints, and escalations with professionalism and care.
• Promote specials, new menu items, and store initiatives to enhance customer engagement and drive sales.

Retail & Inventory Management

• Monitor and restock product shelves and café displays to ensure availability and visual appeal.
• Receive, unpack, and verify deliveries, ensuring correct quantities and proper storage.
• Track and manage inventory levels, including monitoring expiration dates and rotating stock to minimize waste.
• Oversee daily cash handling procedures and ensure register accuracy.

Café & Food Service Operations

• Prepare and serve coffee, beverages, and ready-to-eat meals according to standard recipes and quality expectations.
• Process café orders and handle payments efficiently and accurately.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of café counters, prep areas, and service stations.
• Restock café ingredients, utensils, and paper goods to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Compliance & Safety

• Maintain health, safety, and sanitation standards across all store and café areas.
• Ensure compliance with local DC food safety laws and retail policies.
• Support a culture of accountability, cleanliness, and professionalism.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years of retail or food service experience required; prior supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail, time management, and reliability are essential.
• Ability to handle transactions and manage inventory systems.
• Food Handler Certification (or willingness to obtain) preferred.
• Familiarity with DC food safety and retail compliance requirements is a plus.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings.
• Comfort and experience working and communicating with people from various backgrounds
• Independent and hardworking.
• Dependable.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physically strenuous work including lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, stooping, and utilizing ladders and step stools.
• Ability to stand for 4 or more hours.
• Ability to wear a mask, gloves, and other protective wear for 4 or more hours.

The duties and responsibilities contained herein are representative of the essential functions of this position. The dynamic nature of our work requires flexibility and our collaborative environment necessitates cross-functional support. Employees are expected to adapt to our ever-evolving organizational and community needs and perform other duties as assigned to contribute to Dreaming Out Loud’s success.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Holidays)
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Monthly Cell Phone Stipend
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Transit, Parking, and Healthcare
• Transit Assistance through SmartBenefits
• 401(k) match up to 5%
• 100% Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Short and Long-Term Disability

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dreaming Out Loud Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Dreaming Out Loud complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.