Description

The Neighborhood Green Grocery (NGG) seeks a skilled and mission-aligned General Manager (GM) to lead all aspects of daily operations for a 2,650 sq. ft. community-centered grocery store rooted in food access, workforce development, and local food systems. The General Manager is responsible for the grocery’s overall financial health, operational excellence, staffing, and customer experience, while advancing FoodChain’s commitment to zero-waste practices, local sourcing, and environmental responsibility.

This role requires a hands-on leader who can manage budgets, oversee ordering and inventory, hire and train staff, ensure regulatory compliance, and translate FoodChain’s mission into a welcoming, efficient, and financially sustainable retail environment.

The General Manager will play a critical role in launching and stabilizing the grocery during its early years, building operational systems that support long-term success and model what a community-centered, zero-waste grocery can be.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of grocery or food retail management experience, including staff supervision
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial reports, and operational metrics
• Strong understanding of inventory management, ordering systems, and retail margins
• Proven ability to lead teams, hold staff accountable, and foster a positive workplace culture
• Experience working in mission-driven, nonprofit, or values-based organizations strongly preferred
• Familiarity with SNAP/EBT, WIC, and food access programs is a plus
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Commitment to FoodChain’s mission and values of community, equity, and sustainability.
• Retail environment with evening and weekend hours required
• Standing, lifting, and physical activity consistent with grocery operations
• Must pass a background check in order to work with youth programs and handle sensitive financial information

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, non-exempt position.
• Salary: $60,000, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan participation.
• Reports to: Co-Executive Directors
• Location: Lexington, Kentucky 

To Apply: Send a resume and cover letter to jobs@foodchainlex.org

Requirements

Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Business

• Develop, manage, and operate within approved annual operating and capital budgets
• Oversee daily financial operations including cash handling, POS systems, inventory controls, and vendor payments
• Monitor margins, labor costs, shrink, and sales performance; adjust strategies to meet financial targets
• Prepare regular financial and operational reports for senior leadership
• Collaborate with FoodChain leadership on pricing strategies that balance affordability with sustainability

Store Operations & Compliance

• Oversee all day-to-day grocery operations including ordering, receiving, merchandising, stocking, and store maintenance
• Maintain relationships with distributors, vendors, and local producers, prioritizing local and mission-aligned sourcing
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health codes, food safety regulations, licensing, and employment laws
• Implement and maintain standard operating procedures for safety, sanitation, and customer service
• Lead opening, closing, and emergency procedures

Zero-Waste & Sustainable Operations

• Lead the day-to-day operation of a low-waste / zero-waste grocery model, prioritizing waste reduction, reuse, composting, and responsible recycling
• Implement systems to minimize food waste, packaging waste, and operational inefficiencies across ordering, merchandising, and back-of-house operations
• Oversee bulk, refill, and reusable container systems where applicable, ensuring food safety and customer clarity
• Track waste diversion metrics and collaborate with FoodChain leadership on continuous improvement toward sustainability goals
• Train staff on zero-waste practices and communicate expectations clearly to customers and partners

Staff Leadership & Workforce Development

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate grocery staff, including supervisors, frontline employees, and youth workers
• Build a positive, accountable workplace culture aligned with FoodChain’s values
• Create staff schedules that balance coverage, budget constraints, and employee well-being
• Support workforce development goals, including training opportunities for participants connected to FoodChain programs when applicable
• Address performance issues professionally and consistently

Customer Experience & Community Alignment

• Ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful shopping environment for all customers
• Oversee product mix to meet community needs, including fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant items
• Respond to customer feedback and community input to improve operations and offerings
• Collaborate with FoodChain staff on in-store education, outreach, and promotions tied to the organization’s mission

Launch & Growth Responsibilities

• Lead the grocery through opening and early operational phases
• Finalize operational systems, staffing models, and vendor relationships during launch
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, growth, and continuous improvement
• Partner with leadership on programming integration, partnerships, and long-term planning