Central Market, Perishables Director - Houston

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’s 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.

Job Description

Director of Perishables

Overview

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’s 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

The Director of Perishables is responsible for leading the strategy, execution, and financial performance of all Perishable departments, including Produce, Meat, Seafood, Floral, and related categories. This role ensures exceptional product quality, merchandising excellence, and operational execution while delivering an outstanding customer experience and developing high-performing teams.  This leader partners closely with Store Leadership and Support teams to drive sales, profitability, and innovation across multiple locations.

Key Responsibilities

Business & Financial Leadership

• Own and drive sales, margin, shrink, and labor performance across all Perishable departments
• Analyze trends and implement strategies to improve top-line growth and profitability
• Partner with merchandising and supply chain teams to optimize assortment, pricing, and inventory

Operational Excellence

• Ensure consistent execution of standards across all stores (quality, freshness, food safety)
• Drive best practices in production planning, inventory control, and waste reduction
• Maintain strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance

Merchandising & Customer Experience

• Elevate in-store presentation to reflect a best-in-class specialty food experience
• Champion innovation in assortment, seasonal offerings, and local/vendor partnerships
• Ensure departments deliver a differentiated, high-touch customer experience

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop department managers and emerging leaders
• Build a strong leadership bench and succession pipeline
• Foster a culture aligned with company values (Heart for People, Passion for Results, Head for Business)

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Store Directors, Food Service leaders, and Merchants to align strategy and execution
• Act as a key voice in driving enterprise-wide initiatives impacting perishables
• Support new store openings, remodels, and concept innovation

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of leadership experience in Perishables within grocery or specialty retail
• Multi-unit leadership experience required
• Strong financial acumen (sales, margin, shrink, labor)
• Deep understanding of fresh food operations and quality standards
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
• Passion for food, quality, and customer experience

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent sales growth and improved profitability across Perishable departments
• Best-in-class execution of freshness, quality, and merchandising standards
• Strong bench of developed leaders ready for advancement
• Elevated customer experience that differentiates the brand