How to hire a deli associate

How to hire a deli associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step deli associate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a deli associate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new deli associate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a deli associate, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A deli associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, deli associates from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of deli associate salaries for various roles:

   Type of Deli Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Deli Associate	Food and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.	$9-18
   Food Runner	Food Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen... Show more	$8-16
   Food Clerk	Food clerks are skilled employees who work either in grocery stores or supermarkets to assist customers with their food needs. In grocery stores, food clerks are required to scan food items for their customers and process their purchases as well as ensure that they have found everything they needed... Show more	$6-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Food Handling
   • Basic Math
   • Customer Service
   • Math
   • Food Safety
   • Slicers
   • Safety Standards
   • Cold Food
   • Customer Orders
   • Food Orders
   • Sales Floor
   • Fryers
   • Hot Food
   • Fresh Food

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Open and close deli; schedule work hour coverage; manage and monitor deli cleanliness code; customer service.
   • Serve customers, stock shelves, cook food in fryers, slice deli meat, prepare food trays, close/open department
   • Bag groceries, and help customers out to their vehicles.
   • Pick and pack chosen items and ring them up in the POS system.
   • Train and assist employees in the use of proprietary POS software and hardware.
   • Season help pack groceries and work in the deli department packaging and prepare food for floor.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your deli associate job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A deli associate can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, deli associates' average salary in south carolina is 37% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level deli associates 49% less than senior-level deli associates.
   • Certifications. A deli associate with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a deli associate's salary.

   Average deli associate salary

   $13.63hourly

   $28,360 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level deli associate salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing a deli associate job description

   A deli associate job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a deli associate job description:

   Deli associate job description example

   Wage : $17.00

   FLSA Status: Hourly Non-Exempt

   COVID vaccination required

   
   

   Benefits Available for Full-Time Employees:

   • Medical, Dental and Vision plans available
   • Paid Time Off
   • 401 (K) Plan with Company Match
   • Basic Life & AD&D Insurance

   
   

   Brock & Company is the premier provider of contract food management to corporations and private and independent schools throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Our aim is to deliver outstanding quality food services exceeding our clients' expectations every day. With an extensive array of clients, Brock has a formula for success that is simple. We focus on top quality products combined with people who have a passion for food and service. Brock provides a family-owned, corporate supported, financially sound organization that is committed to our clients and associates and is always striving for excellence.

   
   

   As a member of the Brock team, you will experience a work schedule that allows for a quality of life. Our food programs are dynamic, the menus cutting edge and creative. We welcome your input to implement, solve problems, and help drive these programs to success. You can influence the outcome, and we will give you the tools to be successful. Our programs have made significant improvements in the daily work lives of our customers and clients by providing healthy, nutritious menus at all meals.

   
   

   We are looking for a motivated multi-tasker who enjoys customer service to handle this high volume fast-paced station. This station will provide made to order sandwiches, paninis and wraps for café service as well as the same for all catering orders.

   • Set-up, maintenance and breakdown of the station and will prepare, stock, label and date all products for the station.
   • Maintain a clean and safe work area and follow all outlined health and safety regulations with regard to equipment use and personal hygiene.
   • Adhere to client and company protocols related to COVID-19 workplace safety and sanitation standards.
   • Experience with the assembly, operation and disassembly of the meat and cheese slicers, knife skills, familiarity with related utensils and equipment including food processor and robocoupe.
   • Exceptional customer service and communication skills required in addition to strong organizational skills.
   • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
   • Have the ability to move objects approximately 35 lbs. to waist height.

   Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V Benefits Eligible Background Check and Required // Uniforms and Meals Provided Please respond with resume or letter of intent.

   
   

   PM21

   Requirements:

   
   

   
   
   

   PI194062277

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find deli associates for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any deli associates they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level deli associates with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your deli associate job on Zippia to find and recruit deli associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit deli associates, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new deli associate

   Once you have selected a candidate for the deli associate position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new deli associate first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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