Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Christkindl Markt Back of House Supervisor
About the Role
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market hosts the Christkindl Markt, a beloved holiday tradition welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests each season for shopping, food, entertainment, and festive experiences.
We are seeking an organized, hands-on Back of House Supervisor to lead seasonal hot beverage preparation staff and coordinate daily back-of-house operations. Working closely with the Director of Food & Beverage, vendors, and event teams, you'll oversee beverage production, inventory, staffing, sanitation, and operational readiness to help deliver a safe, efficient, and memorable guest experience.
We value leaders who take initiative, communicate clearly, solve problems, and foster a positive, collaborative team environment.
Essential Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise and support seasonal Hot Beverage Prep Staff, assign daily responsibilities, and communicate production priorities.
- Monitor performance, provide guidance, and maintain a respectful, productive team environment.
- Lead by example and assist with beverage preparation, cleaning, inventory, and closing tasks as needed.
Back-of-House Operations
- Oversee opening procedures and coordinate daily Alpenglobe beverage orders, production needs, and timing.
- Ensure beverage orders are prepared and fulfilled accurately and on time.
- Conduct regular walkthroughs to maintain safe, clean, organized, and efficient workspaces.
- Monitor operations, anticipate challenges, and communicate adjustments or concerns to appropriate team members.
Inventory & Product Management
- Maintain accurate inventory records, monitor stock levels, and communicate replenishment needs.
- Ensure proper product staging, storage, handling, and FIFO (first in, first out) rotation.
- Organize designated vendor and event storage areas and keep them accessible.
Kitchen, Dish & Equipment Operations
- Maintain kitchen, prep, dish, cooler/freezer, and storage areas.
- Supervise dish equipment used by Downtown Market and vendors; monitor chemical inventory and equipment functionality.
- Ensure food safety, sanitation, and cleaning standards are followed.
- Support daily breakdown, closing, and end-of-day cleaning procedures.
- Identify and promptly report equipment or operational issues.
Event Support
- Collaborate with bar staff, Alpenglobe staff, vendors, and other event teams.
- Provide hands-on support and respond to changing operational needs throughout each shift.
- Perform additional event support duties as needed.
- Assist with additional event duties as needed.
Qualifications & Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
- At least two years of customer service or related experience.
- At least two years of supervisory or leadership experience.
- Hospitality, food and beverage, kitchen, or event operations experience preferred.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
Physical Requirements
This is an active, hands-on position requiring the ability to:
- Stand and walk throughout an entire shift.
- Regularly lift or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance.
- Bend, reach, squat, twist, and transport products and supplies between indoor and outdoor areas.
- Work safely around hot equipment, open-flame ranges, and hot liquids.
- Use radio communication devices effectively.
- Work in warm kitchens, cold storage areas, and outdoor winter conditions.
Schedule & Work Environment
This is a part-time, seasonal/temporary position during the holiday season. Flexibility is required as staffing, production, and event needs change. Employees must arrive on time and prepared, use work time efficiently, accurately record hours, and communicate scheduling or operational adjustments proactively.
Work takes place primarily in a commercial kitchen and back-of-house environment, with duties throughout the Markt. Conditions may include hot equipment and liquids, open flames, cold coolers and freezers, cleaning chemicals, busy event noise, and outdoor winter weather.
Why Join Our Team?
Help bring one of West Michigan's signature holiday experiences to life! You'll lead a seasonal team, coordinate essential operations, solve problems, and support the people and systems that make the Christkindl Markt possible.
Join a collaborative team that values hospitality, accountability, creativity, and community. If you enjoy hands-on leadership, organization, and making complex event operations run smoothly, we'd love to meet you.
Apply today! If you're a good match, we'll reach out to schedule a conversation.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities and believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team and community.
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