Department Manager(Gig)-Rancho Santa Margarita

Your Next Step in Rancho Santa Margarita

Role Essentials

• Employer: Safeway (Hiring in Rancho Santa Margarita)
• Based in: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (our growing Rancho Santa Margarita office)
• Flexible Role in Rancho Santa Margarita: Department Manager
• Status: New Rancho Santa Margarita listing (actively interviewing).
• Experience: Mid-Level.
• This Rancho Santa Margarita-based role is an excellent opportunity for professionals skilled in relevant skills.
• Our Safeway team in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is growing.
• Benefit from working in Rancho Santa Margarita, a key hub for the Retail Management industry.

Salary and Benefits

• Compensation: $26-$32/Hour (approx. $60.3k/Year)
• Benefits: A competitive compensation package is offered.
• Flexible contract/gig opportunity in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Day-to-Day

• Apply your your professional skills skills at our Rancho Santa Margarita location.

Take Ownership of Business Operations

About Safeway

As a cornerstone of the neighborhood, Safeway is committed to providing a shopping experience defined by quality and abundance. A successful supermarket requires entrepreneurial leaders managing specific zones—like the Meat, Produce, or Center Store departments. The Department Manager acts as the business owner of their area, responsible for driving sales, managing profitability, and developing a team. When you join our family, you are stepping into a high-impact role within the retail management sector.

Job Summary

We are actively seeking strategic, highly experienced, and food-passionate individuals to join our store leadership team. As a Department Manager, you will have total ownership over ordering, merchandising, labor scheduling, and shrink control for your assigned department. You will serve as the standard-bearer, delivering the signature operational excellence that sets Safeway apart in the grocery industry. This is a crucial management role that blends office analytics with heavy floor presence.

Comprehensive Responsibilities

• P&L Accountability: Manage the department's profit and loss, analyzing sales data to optimize inventory ordering and minimize food waste or shrink.
• Merchandising & Sales: Plan and execute stunning, high-volume promotional displays that align with weekly circulars and drive impulse purchases.
• Talent Management: Interview, hire, train, and write weekly schedules for all department associates, fostering a high-performance, positive team culture.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure absolute compliance with health department regulations, strict cold-chain standards, and corporate sanitation protocols.

Industry-Leading Benefits & Salary

We ensure our department leaders are supported with an executive-level package:

• Salary: Highly competitive pay ranging from $26.00 to $32.00 per hour, plus performance-based department bonuses.
• Union Benefits: Access to comprehensive, union-negotiated benefits including pension plans (depending on specific store location).
• Exclusive Discounts: Employee discounts on Safeway brand groceries and household essentials.
• Health Coverage: Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible management team members.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age upon application.
• No college degree required; 3+ years of progressive retail or grocery leadership experience is strictly required.
• Must possess deep knowledge of inventory control, ordering systems, and P&L statements.
• Ability to lead a team, work flexible hours (including holidays), and remain highly active on the sales floor.