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How to hire a deli manager

Deli manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring deli managers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a deli manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per deli manager on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 66,462 deli managers in the US, and there are currently 131,359 job openings in this field.
  • Minneapolis, MN, has the highest demand for deli managers, with 7 job openings.

How to hire a deli manager, step by step

To hire a deli manager, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a deli manager:

Here's a step-by-step deli manager 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 manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new deli manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a deli manager do?

A deli manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of the restaurant, delegating tasks to staff, supervising the food orders and services, maintaining adequate stock inventory, and finding ways to minimize production costs without compromising quality service. Deli managers strategize on techniques in maximizing the productivity of the operations staff to boost revenues and increase the business' profitability. They also attend to the guests' needs, respond to their inquiries, and resolve complaints immediately. A deli manager analyzes current food trends to update the restaurant's menu and meet the guests' demands.

Learn more about the specifics of what a deli manager does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your deli manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a deli manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A deli manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, deli managers 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.

    The following list breaks down different types of deli managers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Deli ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Deli Manager$14-23
    Banquet CaptainBanquet captains are responsible for directing each banquet staff in the entire meal service and assign tasks to them as required. Their duties include teaching new staff members how to execute their designated tasks in the banquet... Show more$13-19
    Cook SupervisorCook supervisors are responsible for coordinating the kitchen members and ensure that all orders are prepared on time and according to customer specifications. They must be skilled in the culinary department, knowledgeable of the food safety regulations, and lead a team of cooks, washers, and helpers to achieve an organized kitchen... Show more$12-29
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Cleanliness
    • Basic Math
    • Food Safety
    • Pallets
    • Food Handling
    • Math
    • Food Service
    • Product Quality
    • Quality Customer Service
    • Customer Complaints
    • Sales Floor
    • Gross Profit
    • Safety Standards
    • Good Communication
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage deli; stock; order groceries, inventory, make salads, sandwiches, cookies, and doughnuts.
    • Frequent use basic measurements as well as math.
    • Wait on customers, utilize math, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
    • Operate meat and cheese slicers, oven, fryer, cutting tools, scale and other deli equipment.
    • Provide direct service to customers including operating slicers.
    • Maintain cleanliness in accordance with safety and health regulations for a healthy and sanitation environment.
    More deli manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the deli manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A deli manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a deli manager in Georgia may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level deli manager. Additionally, a deli manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average deli manager salary

    $39,221yearly

    $18.86 hourly rate

    Entry-level deli manager salary
    $30,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 12, 2025

    Average deli manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$51,069$25
    2Washington$49,210$24
    3Connecticut$47,260$23
    4Minnesota$46,037$22
    5Massachusetts$45,452$22
    6New Jersey$45,163$22
    7Delaware$44,613$21
    8New York$43,902$21
    9Colorado$43,144$21
    10Pennsylvania$42,627$20
    11Montana$41,433$20
    12Virginia$40,733$20
    13Michigan$40,484$19
    14South Carolina$40,102$19
    15Florida$39,385$19
    16Arizona$39,244$19
    17Illinois$38,194$18
    18Ohio$37,231$18
    19North Carolina$37,046$18
    20Indiana$36,941$18

    Average deli manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1PCC Community Markets$46,868$22.533
    2Rochester Institute of Technology$46,523$22.37
    3Foster Farms$46,071$22.15
    4Roche Bros. Supermarkets$45,704$21.978
    5Save Mart Supermarkets$45,470$21.867
    6Uwajimaya$45,467$21.863
    7Market of Choice$45,183$21.724
    8Vallarta Supermarkets$45,018$21.64
    9United Natural Foods$44,770$21.5218
    10Stew Leonard's$44,746$21.51
    11Jerry's Enterprises$43,670$21.009
    12Town Pump$43,368$20.8522
    13ShopRite Supermarkets Inc.$43,287$20.81
    14Jet Food Stores$42,898$20.623
    15Kennie's Market$42,837$20.59
    16Buy For Less$42,785$20.57
    17Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises Inc.$42,753$20.5537
    18Cosentino$42,726$20.5432
    19Eat'n Park$42,725$20.54
    20Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32$42,227$20.30
  4. Writing a deli manager job description

    A good deli manager job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a deli manager job description:

    Deli manager job description example

    Plum Market - 3675 West Maple, Bloomfield Township Mi 48301

    Full Time position starting at $17/hr.

    Plum Market is an emerging leader in the Grocery Retail industry. We are committed to stocking the very best selections of All Natural, Organic, Local, and Specialty Grocery items.

    Our Team Members are passionate about delivering the highest quality food, beverage, and grocery essentials to our Customers, helping them achieve a better lifestyle. We make our Team Members and our Customers our top priority by delivering the best possible Customer retail experience.

    Our Plum Market Grocery Stores are a reflection of the very communities we serve. From our Team Members to our Customers, local vendors and product selection, we are proud of the inclusive culture in which we thrive, and strive to promote at Plum Market. If you share our enthusiasm, please apply to see how you may fit in.

    Benefits of working at Plum Market:

    Full time position available.

    We can offer a variety of retail shifts to work with your schedule.

    You can learn about great food and grow your passion at the same time.

    We provide exceptional training to help you grow your knowledge.

    Paid time and a half for working any of these five federally recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.

    Promotional opportunities. We are a growing company and you can grow with us!

    Variety of medical, dental, and vision benefits to cover you and/or your family.

    401k with company match after a 6 month waiting period.

    20% off Team Member Discount.

    50% off Team Member Lunch Discount.

    Plum Market offers a desirable and rewarding place to work.

    Employment is contingent on a successful background check.

    Must be over the age of 18 to apply.

    Description:

    The Deli Manager is responsible for the exceptional execution of Customer Service by the entire department. They are responsible for managing department inventory, margin, labor budgets, pricing integrity, and merchandising standards. They will ensure all Deli Team Members receive proper training and supervision. The Deli Manager will ensure the highest level of execution in regards to ordering, receiving, unloading, storage, rotation, merchandising and preparation of food.

    Who you are:

    You model and provide exceptional Customer Service.

    You have a love for the history and cultural value of specialty cheeses, charcuterie, and deli products.

    You are organized, detail-oriented, comfortable with hard deadlines, and wish to continuously learn and grow your capabilities.

    You are eager to collaborate with Store Operations, the VP and Support Group, and the other Team Leaders to make your department the best it can possibly be.

    You value inclusion and work to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and every voice is heard.

    You are innovative and have the courage to pursue new ideas.

    You love a challenge and the satisfaction that comes from meeting it.

    You inspire people to want to be their best selves.

    What you will bring:

    Ability to consistently meet profit margin targets for the department.

    Ability to collaborate closely with Store Operations, VP and Support Group and other Team Leaders on any and all issues related to purchasing.

    Ability to work a variety of shifts including nights, weekends and holidays.

    Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

    Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.

    Ability to stand and walk for up to 4 hours without a break - we work on the floor, and alongside our team.

    Ability to bend and stoop to grasp objects, climb ladders, lift loads, up to 50 lbs. unassisted, push and pull carts weighing up to 100 lbs. unassisted.

    What you will do:

    Give exceptional Service to our Customers.

    Lead The Team Members in the department.

    Communicate effectively with Customers, Team Members, Store Leadership and Director Group.

    Adhere to all Plum Market policies and standard operating procedures.



    PI194571244

  5. Post your job

    To find the right deli manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with deli managers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit deli managers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your deli manager job on Zippia to find and recruit deli manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting deli managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 manager

    Once you have selected a candidate for the deli manager 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new deli manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a deli manager?

Hiring a deli manager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting deli managers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of deli manager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $39,221 per year for a deli manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for deli managers in the US typically range between $14 and $23 an hour.

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