Assistant Store Manager
Dags & Willow Fine Cheese & Gourmet Food Shop
Collingwood, Ontario
Help Lead an Icon. Keep It Exceptional.
For more than 20 years, Dags & Willow Fine Cheese & Gourmet Food Shop has been one of Collingwood's most iconic culinary destinations. We've built our reputation on exceptional products, knowledgeable service, and a genuine passion for food—and we're looking for someone who wants to be part of that story.
We're looking for an enthusiastic and capable Assistant Store Manager to join our leadership team.
More Than a Retail Job
This is more than an assistant manager position in a retail store.
As Assistant Store Manager, you'll be an important part of the leadership team at one of Collingwood's most respected local brands. You'll work closely with the Store Manager and ownership to ensure that the store operates at its best every day.
You'll be the Store Manager's right hand, helping lead our team, maintain our high standards, solve problems, and ensure that customers receive the exceptional experience Dags & Willow is known for.
Most importantly, you'll be prepared to step into the Store Manager's role whenever they are absent, providing the leadership and decision-making necessary to keep the business running smoothly. (We are filling this position because our previous Assistant Manager has now been promoted to Store Manager)
Your Role
Working closely with the Store Manager, you'll help oversee the day-to-day operation of the store and play an active role in leading a team of approximately five employees.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the Store Manager in all aspects of daily store operations
- Assuming responsibility for the store in the Store Manager's absence
- Leading and motivating the team to deliver exceptional customer service
- Helping create a positive, professional, and energetic workplace
- Assisting with staff scheduling, training, onboarding, and performance
- Overseeing opening and closing procedures
- Maintaining excellent standards of merchandising, cleanliness, and presentation
- Assisting with inventory management, ordering, receiving, and stock control
- Monitoring product availability and ensuring the store is properly stocked
- Handling customer questions, concerns, and special requests with professionalism
- Ensuring food safety and operational standards are consistently maintained
- Working closely with our kitchen team on prepared foods and specialty products
- Supporting our events team with private functions, catering, and special initiatives
- Working collaboratively with our wholesale team when required
- Helping execute promotions, seasonal merchandising, and special projects
- Identifying opportunities to improve the customer experience and store operations
- Communicating important operational issues and opportunities to the Store Manager
When the Store Manager Is Away
A key part of this position is being prepared to take the lead.
When the Store Manager is absent, you will be responsible for ensuring the store continues to operate seamlessly. You'll provide direction to the team, make day-to-day decisions, address customer concerns, maintain standards, and ensure that the business continues to deliver the experience our customers expect.
We're looking for someone who is confident taking ownership and making decisions—but who also understands when to communicate with the Store Manager or ownership.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is:
- A natural leader who enjoys working with and motivating people
- Confident making decisions and taking responsibility
- Organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced retail and food environment
- Passionate about providing exceptional customer service
- A strong communicator and team player
- Interested in gourmet food, hospitality, and entertaining
- Comfortable taking initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do
- Able to remain calm and professional when things get busy
- Available to work weekends and during busy holiday periods
Previous supervisory or management experience in retail, hospitality, food service, or a similar customer-focused environment is an asset.
Why Dags & Willow?
You'll be joining a business that has become much more than a store.
For more than two decades, Dags & Willow has been part of the fabric of downtown Collingwood—a destination known for great food, exceptional products, and a memorable customer experience.
You'll work alongside our retail, kitchen, events, and wholesale teams, giving you exposure to a diverse and growing business.
Most importantly, this is an opportunity to develop your leadership skills while working alongside an experienced Store Manager and becoming an integral part of the future of an iconic local brand.
The Opportunity
If you're currently a strong supervisor or assistant manager—or you're an experienced team member ready to take the next step into leadership—this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
We're looking for someone who wants to grow with the business, take ownership, lead by example, and help keep Dags & Willow exceptional every day.
If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: $23.00-$25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Are you located within a 30 minute drive to our location or are you planning to relocate to this area?
Work Location: In person
