Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Maya Diedrich

Minneapolis,MN

Summary

Deli category manager/department manager with more than 24 years of experience working in consumer and worker owned cooperatives, with specific focus on natural category of supply chain and production planning. Demonstrated leadership capabilities with direct and indirect employee groups. Employs tact, sound judgment and maintains professional demeanor in communication and relationships with others while striving to deliver best quality in daily work.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Category Manager

Lakewinds Natural Foods Coop
01.2023 - Current
  • Determine addition or deletion of products, while maintaining Lakewinds high product standards
  • Recipe development of new deli offerings, most often coinciding with category reviews
  • Work to seek new suppliers and products that align with Lakewinds mission and product standards, giving strong focus on local partnerships
  • Conduct timely category reviews; analyzing financial data to maintain compelling assortment to achieve financial benchmarks and mission
  • Attend trade shows, and be current on upcoming trends - how will impact Lakewinds, and how can be interpreted through product selection
  • Manage and oversee promotional plans that provide strong promotional assortment, while striving to achieve financial benchmarks
  • Collaborate with marketing department to highlight new items, promotions, and new vendor activity
  • Conduct competitor analysis to stay informed about market dynamics and adjust strategic plans accordingly
  • Set pricing for new products using target margin goals as guide, as well as competition on key items
  • Develop detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions
  • Established strong rapport with suppliers, leading to favorable contract terms and better access to exclusive products or promotions
  • Meet with deli management team bi-weekly to ensure that department consistently reaches weekly sales goals of $190,000 combined

Deli Manager

Lakewinds Natural Foods Coop
01.2018 - 01.2023
  • Hired, trained and supervised deli staff members
  • Trained new team members on deli procedures, ensuring consistency in product quality and service levels
  • Maintained systems of organization for all work areas while consistently achieving weekly sales goals of $85,000+ for department
  • Ensured proper product placement, signage and general merchandising of department
  • Controlled inventory costs by ensuring consistent recipe production and by reducing department waste
  • Inventoried food products and associated materials on quarterly basis
  • Ensured staff adhered to company policy in regards to attendance, conduct, dress and customer service
  • Proactively managed through accountability using check lists and/or reports
  • Recipe development when applicable
  • Worked with deli supervisors to ensure that all staff are following department protocol
  • Conducted regular performance evaluations for staff members, providing constructive feedback for professional growth
  • Set schedules for 35 staff by planning and designating shifts and hours

Sous Chef

Surdyk's Catering
05.2016 - 01.2018
  • Ensure that all catering orders are prepared and expedited correctly
  • Supervise daily operation of kitchen including 8 staff members
  • Prepare components of kitchen orders using determined recipes
  • Formulate quality recipes using ChefTec
  • Attend all weekly management meetings
  • Managed off-site events as lead chef
  • Managed food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders were executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards
  • Managed inventory levels effectively, resulting in reduced food waste and cost savings for the establishment
  • Collaborated with executive chef to develop innovative menu items, leading to increased guest return rates and positive reviews
  • Implemented proper cleaning procedures, ensuring a safe and sanitary kitchen workspace compliant with health department regulations

Deli Lead Cook

Eastside Food Coop
04.2006 - 05.2016
  • Created weekly hot bar menus ensuring that margin goals for category had been met, recipe development for deli hot bar, grab and go case and daily soup program
  • Shift lead in transitional kitchen with main focus on creation of shift production lists
  • Prepared healthy, attractive dishes for hot bar and deli case sale following established recipes
  • Helped maintain clean and sanitary department, meeting all health code requirements
  • Followed proper safety, food storage and labeling procedures
  • Followed department procedure for product stocking, rotation and merchandising
  • Helped meet department goals for sales, margins and labor costs
  • Adhered to high customer service standards
  • Promoted Coop principles, mission and values
  • Exhibited skilled knife handling
  • Responsible for weekly produce ordering
  • Member of SRC (Safety Regulation Committee) 2013-2014.

Deli Lead Cook

East Side Food Coop
04.2006 - 05.2016
  • Weekly hot & soup bar menu planning, recipe development for deli hot bar, grab and go case and daily soup program
  • Shift lead in transitional kitchen with main focus on creation of shift production lists
  • Prepare healthy, attractive dishes for hot bar and deli case sale following established recipes
  • Help maintain in clean and sanitary condition, meeting all health code requirements
  • Follow proper safety, food storage and labeling procedures
  • Follow department procedure for product stocking, rotation and merchandising
  • Help meet department goals for sales, margins and labor costs
  • Adhere to high customer service standards
  • Promote Coop principles, mission and values
  • Experienced kitchen skills including knife handling
  • Responsible for weekly ordering
  • Member of SRC (Safety Regulation Committee) 2013-2014

Produce Assistant

East Side Food Coop
02.2012 - 09.2012
  • Rotated and restocked fresh produce available on sales floor
  • Received and quality checked produce deliveries
  • Gained expertise in various types of fruits and vegetables, allowing for knowledgeable recommendations to customers seeking specific flavors or nutritional benefits
  • Improved overall appearance of produce department with proper trimming, watering, and care of fresh items, attracting more customers to department
  • Assisted in maintaining proper inventory levels through accurate ordering of produce supplies based on sales trends and seasonal demands
  • Contributed to a positive shopping experience by engaging customers in friendly conversation while assisting them with their needs
  • Participated in farm tours in order to better convey importance of supporting local, sustainable agricultural practices to customers

Education

Biology Major -

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, College of Biological Sciences
Minneapolis, MN
02.2012

Biology Major -

Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis, MN
01.2009

High School Diploma -

Minnetonka High School
Minnetonka, MN
01.1998

Skills

  • Reliable and motivated with strong work ethic
  • Excellent communication skills with inherent ability to organize & prioritize tasks
  • Knowledge of organic agriculture and healthy, environmentally sustainable food choices
  • Extensive knowledge of retail sales management including:

-Data analytics & review

-Supplier relationship management

-Category growth

-Sustainability initiatives

-Pricing strategy

Certification

Certified Food Manager, 11/06/2025

Timeline

Category Manager

Lakewinds Natural Foods Coop
01.2023 - Current

Deli Manager

Lakewinds Natural Foods Coop
01.2018 - 01.2023

Sous Chef

Surdyk's Catering
05.2016 - 01.2018

Produce Assistant

East Side Food Coop
02.2012 - 09.2012

Deli Lead Cook

Eastside Food Coop
04.2006 - 05.2016

Deli Lead Cook

East Side Food Coop
04.2006 - 05.2016

Biology Major -

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, College of Biological Sciences

Biology Major -

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

High School Diploma -

Minnetonka High School
Certified Food Manager, 11/06/2025
Maya Diedrich