Assistant Store Leader

Kroger; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger in Vista, California is seeking a Store Manager to lead daily operations across all departments and drive store performance. This role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and a focus on customer service excellence.

You will oversee scheduling, merchandising initiatives, payroll and budgets, safety compliance, vendor relations, and Associate development. The position emphasizes teamwork, inclusion, and achieving sales targets while upholding Kroger's standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 year of experience as department manager, service manager, or equivalent.
• Approval from store manager/district manager or direct manager required.

Responsibilities

• Assist store manager and associates in delivering a favorable customer shopping experience.
• Lead teams in planning, implementing, and executing merchandising/operating initiatives.
• Assist in developing action plans and communications to associates on survey results.
• Identify store opportunities and create timely solutions and action plans for implementation.
• Model inclusivity and ensure compliance with company policies and laws.
• Manage total store operations in the store manager's absence.
• Aim for sales, wage, and profit budgets, plus safety and shrink targets.
• Drive sales by maximizing department contributions and reducing shrink.
• Conduct regular financial discussions with associates about budgets and targets.
• Collaborate with union representatives if applicable and maintain strong community relationships.
• Coach and provide feedback to department heads and associates.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Team supervision

Merchandising

Budget awareness

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Learn the operations of all departments and the duties of store management; share responsibility for store performance in all areas of operation/human resources. Perform scheduling, security, maintenance, safety, sanitation, ordering, administration & Human Resource-related duties.Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

• Assist store manager & associates in the achievement of a favorable customer shopping experience & develop associate interest in customer service/relations to enhance Kroger's best-in-class reputation
• Assist store manager in leading teams in planning, implementing & executing merchandising/operating initiatives
• Assist store manager with developing action plans/communications to associates on Associate Insight survey results
• Work with department heads/store associates to identify store opportunities, develop timely solutions & create action plans to ensure plan implementation
• Role model/demand a highest level of customer service & solve associate/customer issues/concerns
• Manage total store operations in store manager's absence
• Achieve/exceed weekly, period, & annual sales, wage budgets & profit budgets, as well as other targeted goals (e.g., safety, shrink)
• Drive sales by working with department managers to produce/maximize sales & profits, reduce shrink & improve each store department's contribution
• Assist store manager in regular store-level financial performance discussions with associates regarding developing budgets (e.g., sales, shrink, labor expenses, other expenses) & other targeted goals (e.g., safety)
• Analyze/ respond to competitive landscape within district/division
• Demonstrate inclusionary leadership; expect inclusive behavior from associates
• Utilize coordinators/other field staff to ensure store departments achieve sales/profit goals & ensure implementation/execution of division merchandising plans
• Promote/support strong relationships with local community organizations in store's surrounding area
• Assist in building proactive/productive relationships with union representatives/business agents if store is covered by collective bargaining agreement
• Communicate necessary information to associates to help them effectively carry out duties
• Serve as liaison to store/district managers & coordinators on effectiveness of division merchandising/ operational plans/programs
• Assist store manager in staffing, reducing turnover & increasing retention
• Provide timely individual/department performance feedback to department heads & associates
• Assist with labor management & supply costs on a daily basis to meet customer service/financial targets
• Ensure store compliance & associate knowledge of federal, state, & local laws/enterprise policies
• Supervise and coach direct reports on the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

Minimum

• High school diploma/GED
• 1 year of experience as department manager, service manager, or equivalent experience
• Store manager/district manager or direct manager approval

Desired

• Retail management experience & knowledge of all aspects of store operations
• Staff supervisory experience