Grocery & Front End Shift Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Employee discounts
• Free uniforms
• Paid time off

Who We Are: 

Food is the foundation of good health. Forty Acres Fresh Market (FAFM) is an independent, Black woman-owned grocery business offering high-quality, fresh food to people across Chicagoland. We are working to restore healthy food access so that people across Chicago neighborhoods can have a worthwhile grocery experience regardless of zip code.

Forty Acres Fresh Market opened its first brick and mortar store in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood in September 2025 and is looking for likeminded people to join our team.

Who You Are:

​Are you a dedicated grocery professional who believes everyone deserves an exceptional shopping experience regardless of ZIP code? Do you want to be part of building a business that acts as a catalyst for community change? Do you believe in the importance of making affordable fresh food accessible in every neighborhood?

If so, Forty Acres Fresh Market is the place for you. We are looking for an outgoing, experienced, detail-oriented, and results-driven Grocery & Front End Shift Lead who is eager to play an active role in the operations of the Center Store and Front End departments. This individual must have a friendly demeanor, enjoy engaging with customers, be skilled in supporting a team, possess excellent communication skills, and have a positive “Can Do” attitude. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, cash handling experience, and a willingness to work collaboratively with other departments. The ability to work with a diverse group of people is essential.

The Job:

The Grocery/Front End Shift Lead reports directly to the Assistant Store Manager and is the face of Forty Acres during peak hours. This position has store closing responsibilities and manages and monitors all front-end operations which include POS registers/cashiers, alcohol sales, and the service desk. Cash office functions include verifying safe and drawer counts and refund transactions. The role also includes, assisting the Assistant Store Manager in managing perishable category inventory levels, ensuring all items are properly stocked, and preparing supplier orders, as necessary. As a Shift Lead, you will ensure that all company policies and procedures are followed and executed by department team members. The ability to work with a diverse group of people is essential. As a FAFM team member, the Shift Lead will exemplify Forty Acres’ Values of Quality, Sustainability, Community Engagement, and Integrity.

Applicants must be 21 years of age, minimum.

Duties include but are not limited to: ​

• Assume Manager on Duty (MOD) responsibilities for closing shifts (1PM-9PM) four nights a week, including recording final cash drawer counts, verifying all end of day tasks are completed, and ensuring the building is empty and secured prior to leaving.
• Provide exemplary customer service by greeting shoppers, assisting customers with finding items in the store, promoting Forty Acres Fresh Market’s loyalty rewards program (Club Mabel), and ensuring everyone has a pleasant and memorable shopping experience.
• Oversee cash handling procedures, monitor register balances, reconcile cash drawers, and address cashier issues promptly. 
• Train and supervise front-end staff on providing excellent customer service, register operations, and store policies. Ensure all front-end staff receive comprehensive training and maintain updated training manuals and materials.
• Ensure staff follows proper shift start and end procedures and assist the Assistant Store Manager in communicating department policy changes.
• Assist Assistant Store Manager with perishables inventory management, including tracking expiration dates and inventory levels.
• Monitor the flow of customer traffic, ensuring a fast and friendly check-out experience.
• Assist Assistant Store Manager with tracking sales, inventory cost and budgeting goals
• Provide front-end support during breaks, rushes, security events, and work customer service shifts as needed. 
• Ensure efficient operations by stocking and organizing the front end and center store as needed, managing cash register supplies, and coordinating with other departments. 
• Emphasize safety protocols, maintaining communication across departments in accordance with company Standard Operating Procedures.. 
• Assist Assistant Store Manager in monitoring and evaluating staff performance, provide feedback and coaching, and address performance issues.
• Resolve cash register and equipment malfunctions, coordinate maintenance service calls, and ensure smooth interaction between front-end and customer service. signed by management

Requirements

• Must be capable of and willing to provide exceptional customer service.
• 1 year of proven experience in supervising, training, and evaluating staff.
• The ability to provide and model exceptional customer service.
• Flexible availability, able to work afternoons and evening shifts (1-9pm), days, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Good computer skills including word, spreadsheet, and database systems
• Capability to project a mature, friendly, and outgoing image with a positive attitude.
• Experience with cashiering and operating computerized cash register systems.
• Skilled at managing multiple demands and navigating challenging situations with ease.
• Ability to remain composed and calm in high-pressure environments.
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written, including clear instructions, active listening, and maintaining an approachable and fair attitude.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications 

• 2+ years of supervisory grocery/retail experience​
• Current Food Handler’s certificate
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities​

• Ability to manage time effectively, and prioritize tasks
• Must be detail oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently or in groups.​​

Work Environment/ Physical Demand

• Must have the physical ability to stand for extended periods of time, bend, climb, balance, stoop to grasp objects, kneel, crouch, crawl, frequently push/pull up to 75 lbs., frequently lift and/or move loads up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to enter the coolers and freezers thereby being subjected to and withstanding frequent temperature changes for extended periods of time.
• Occasional high stress when dealing with systems/customers/staff.
• Able to work a flexible schedule with various shifts, including weekends and holidays, as determined by the store/business needs and as required to ensure adequate store staffing, and ability to be reached as needed after hours.
• Must have a reliable source of transportation, as this role requires timeliness for shift start times.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Job Type: Full-time 

This position is Chicago-based

Salary: $20.00 per hour

Benefits:​

• Healthcare Reimbursement Plan
• Up to 40 hours paid sick time annually
• Up to 80 hours paid vacation time annually
• 10% in-store employee discount (excludes alcohol and Mabel’s Meals)​​​

Forty Acres Fresh Market is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.