top of page

Operations Manager

*Valid drivers license required

Who We Are: 

Food is the foundation of good health. Access to fresh, whole, nutrient dense food should be a given for everyone. Unfortunately, for hundreds of thousands of Chicagoland residents it is nearly impossible to find affordable healthy food in their communities. Forty Acres Fresh Market is a grocery startup with the mission to increase access to fresh food in underserved communities while revitalizing neighborhood economies. Launched in 2018, Forty Acres Fresh Market currently operates as a mobile produce vendor through pop up produce markets, fruit and vegetable stands, and residential and commercial delivery service on Chicago’s westside, with a focus on the Austin neighborhood. Forty Acres is currently in a rapid growth phase as we expand our operations with the goal of opening a permanent brick and mortar store in Austin in 2023.

Who You Are:

​Do you want to be part of building a business that is a catalyst for community change? Do you believe that everyone should be able to get affordable fresh food in their neighborhood? Are you interested in rebuilding neighborhoods that have endured years of divestment? If so then this is the company for you. We are seeking a flexible and dedicated problem solver who is eager to use their operations and logistics expertise in a cross-functional capacity.

The Job:

​Forty Acres has recently experienced exponential volume growth via our delivery service and is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee operations and logistics for our multichannel grocery business. This role includes management of transportation logistics (including vehicle fleet and vendors), warehouse and market staffing, and company systems and workflow processes. This is a hands on position as the manager will be a key member of the team and work alongside support staff as well.

 

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Supervise staff of up to 5 associates in day to day operations

  • Developing daily operations plans for the team (including order preparation, deliveries, inventory management, etc.). 

  • Leading continuous improvement of Forty Acres Fresh Market systems (e-commerce platform, P.O.S. platform, logistics software, etc.) and processes

  • Scheduling customer deliveries to optimize for transportation and labor efficiency

  • Weekly staffing plans, including tracking vacation and day off requests

  • Optimizing and supervising procurement, inventory, and delivery processes

  • Regularly updating reporting to track role and team key performance indicators

  • Forecasting staffing needs, including sourcing, interviewing, and hiring talent as needed.

  • Driving a vibrant, team oriented company culture that promotes individual development and growth

  • Ensure compliance with company, state, and local policies

  • Other duties as the business grows and evolves

  • Day to day help as needed

  • Running produce stands

  • Residential and commercial delivery in company van

  • General cashiering - ring up customer purchases

  • Assist owner in procurement process, including loading and unloading transport vehicles

  • Monthly and quarterly reporting of impact metrics for funders

Requirements

  • Candidate must be adept with technology and desktop based applications, and able to navigate and work in spreadsheets

  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

  • Valid Driver’s License

  • 1-2 years of operations logistics experience, food and/or retail industry a plus

  • 1-2 Years of customer service experience

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Access, etc.)

  • Proficient in Google Suite applications (GMail, Calendar, Google Sheets, Google Drive, etc.)

  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

  • Weekend Availability

  • Ability to stand for up to 8 hours

  • Experience driving cargo vans and larger vehicles

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • At least 1 year experience managing transportation fleet

  • At least 1 year experience forecasting staffing, workload, and performance results.

  • At least 2 years of managerial experience, including managing associate and supervisory level staff

  • Strong communication skills, including written and verbal.​

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.

bottom of page