CM Director

Responsibilities
Director, Store Leadership
Overview
Central Market is a specialty grocery that started in Austin, Texas in 1994, and has grown to multiple locations across the state. What makes Central Market one of the freshest markets in the country - Try a sumptuous selection of everything edible, for starters. We go straight to the source to bring you the finest food and drink the world has to offer. With hundreds of cheeses, thousands of wines, acres of produce, and aisles of experts, Central Market is a foodie wonderland. Our commitment beyond the plate is another reason we’re a cut above. We believe food is a way of uniting families and communities, of preserving cultures, and of starting new traditions. Each of our stores is a market in the truest sense and is a place to exchange goods, services, and ideas for those really into food.

Position Summary
Central Market is always looking to connect with exceptional leadership talent across specialty grocery, fresh foods, culinary operations, merchandising, and customer experience.

We are building relationships with experienced leaders who are passionate about food, hospitality, innovation, and leading high‑performing teams in dynamic retail environments. This opportunity is designed for proven operators, merchants, and food leaders who thrive in highly experiential businesses where quality, culture, creativity, and execution all matter equally.

The ideal candidate brings a deep appreciation for food culture, strong business acumen, and the ability to lead large, complex teams while delivering extraordinary customer experiences.

What You’ll Influence
Depending on experience and background, leaders in this space may contribute across areas including:

Fresh & Perishable Operations

Leading high‑volume fresh departments with an uncompromising commitment to quality

Driving innovation across Produce, Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Deli, Cheese, Floral, and Prepared Foods

Building food‑forward merchandising and seasonal strategies

Developing strong operational disciplines around shrink, labor, food safety, and execution

Culinary & Food Service Leadership

Elevating restaurant‑quality food experiences inside retail

Leading culinary teams focused on innovation, hospitality, and scratch‑made quality

Driving prepared foods, catering, coffee, beverage, and experiential dining programs

Creating differentiated food experiences that inspire customer loyalty

Center Store & Specialty Merchandising

Curating compelling assortments across grocery, beverage, wellness, and specialty categories

Identifying trends, emerging brands, and evolving customer preferences

Driving sales growth through storytelling, merchandising, and product discovery

Balancing operational excellence with creativity and innovation

Leadership & Culture

Building and developing high‑performing teams and future leaders

Creating environments where people feel inspired, challenged, and connected to the mission

Leading with authenticity, accountability, and a customer‑first mindset

Partnering cross‑functionally across operations, merchandising, culinary, and support teams

What We’re Looking For

7+ years of progressive leadership experience within specialty grocery, premium retail, hospitality, culinary, restaurant, or fresh food environments

Experience leading large teams and complex business operations

Strong financial, operational, and merchandising acumen

Passion for food, hospitality, and customer experience

Ability to influence across multiple functions and leadership levels

High emotional intelligence and strong people leadership capability

Proven ability to execute while continuously improving the customer experience

What Success Looks Like

Teams are engaged, inspired, and performing at a high level

Customers experience something differentiated every time they walk into the market

Standards remain exceptionally high across quality, execution, and hospitality

Innovation and operational discipline coexist successfully

The business grows while preserving the unique culture and food‑first identity that defines Central Market

This is not a traditional grocery leadership environment.

Central Market leaders are expected to think beyond transactions and operations. We are looking for leaders who are deeply curious about food, passionate about people, and energized by creating experiences customers cannot find anywhere else.

If you see food as culture, retail as theater, and leadership as service, we would love to connect with you.

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