Meat & Seafood Department Team Lead

Meat & Seafood Department Team Lead – Britannia Plaza – Calgary

The Meat & Seafood Department Team Lead plays a critical role in ensuring exceptional product quality and legendary customer service. This hands‑on leadership position requires a strong background in meat and seafood preparation, commitment to food safety, and passion for developing high‑performing teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Meat & Seafood Preparation
  • Perform core meat cutting duties including:
  • Cutting, deboning, and grinding meat, poultry, and fish.
  • Trimming and portioning wholesale cuts into steaks, chops, roasts, and other retail‑ready items.
  • Weighing, wrapping, and displaying meat and seafood products.
  • Preparing meats and seafood to customer specifications and special orders.
  • Storing all products at proper temperatures in accordance with food safety standards.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Market Manager.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, mentor, and support a team of meat and seafood professionals to achieve operational and service excellence.
  • Oversee recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management in collaboration with the Market Manager.
  • Foster a respectful, safety‑conscious, and results‑oriented work culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Customer Experience & Curated Service
  • Deliver a personalized, knowledgeable, and engaging customer experience that reflects a traditional market atmosphere.
  • Provide expert advice on cuts, preparation methods, and cooking techniques to meet customer needs and preferences.
  • Ensure all customer inquiries, special orders, and service requests are handled with care and followed up on personally.
• Product Expertise & Merchandising
  • Supervise the preparation, portioning, packaging, and display of meat and seafood products to meet company standards.
  • Maintain deep knowledge of primal and secondary cuts, marinating techniques, and value‑added offerings.
  • Execute visually compelling displays that reflect freshness, abundance, and seasonality.
• Operational Excellence
  • Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, sanitation protocols, and internal procedures.
  • Maintain accurate records of inventory, sales, waste, and equipment maintenance.
  • Monitor and manage department margins, labor, and shrink in alignment with budget targets.
• Inventory & Purchasing
  • Estimate, order, and receive products in accordance with company guidelines.
  • Collaborate with the purchasing department to ensure adherence to specifications and pricing from approved suppliers.
  • Maintain organized, clean, and properly dated storage and cooler areas.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in meat cutting or culinary preparation.
• 1–2 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a retail or food service environment.
• Meat Cutting Certification is an asset; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Strong understanding of inventory control, cost management, and merchandising.
• Sanitation or Food Safety Certification preferred.

Skills & Attributes

• Passionate about leading and developing people.
• Strong leadership and team‑building capabilities.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Proficiency with digital scales, temperature tracking, and food safety documentation.
• Enthusiastic about fresh food and creating a memorable market experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs using proper lifting techniques.
• Comfortable standing, cutting, and preparing meat and seafood for extended periods.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Benefits: Full‑time and part‑time team members receive a 50% discount on selected prepared foods and a general discount on all groceries in‑store and in the café.

Equal opportunity employer. Jobs closed: *this position is currently open.*