BAKERY/DEPT LEADER

Kroger Co.; Michigan; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

Kroger Co. in Washington, MI is seeking a Bakery Department Leader to direct and supervise all bakery operations. You will lead a team, ensure safety standards, manage schedules, train associates, and drive sales while maintaining the store's commitment to customer service and quality.

The role requires knowledge of bakery products, strong leadership, and adherence to company guidelines. This on-site position offers competitive benefits and growth opportunities within Kroger.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic math.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Current food handlers permit once employed.
• High school education or equivalent.
• Bakery experience.

Responsibilities

• Promote trust and respect among associates while communicating information.
• Collaborate with associates and promote teamwork to achieve goals.
• Establish performance goals and empower associates to meet targets.
• Develop scheduling to manage customer volume during hours of operation.
• Train associates on performance and participate in performance appraisals.
• Adhere to local, state and federal laws and company guidelines.
• Create an welcoming environment and inform customers of bakery specials.
• Gain knowledge of products sold within the department.
• Prepare bakery items per customer requests using proper equipment.
• Provide customers with fresh products and correct portion sizes.
• Use bakery equipment according to guidelines.
• Partner with store management to implement a department business plan.
• Prepare seasonal critiques for the sales and merchandising supervisor.
• Stay current with ads and inform associates.
• Monitor and control department expenses.
• Assist in budget, profit and loss reviews and take action on reports.
• Schedule price changes with shelf tags and signs.
• Plan and supervise inventory processes.
• Adhere to food safety regulations and proper temperatures.
• Reinforce safety programs and notify unsafe conditions.
• Inspect equipment and report repairs.
• Notify management of accidents.
• Report safety risks, theft or fraud.
• Work cooperatively in high paced environments.
• Manage conflict constructively.
• Maintain honesty and integrity of information.
• Follow directions and seek help to resolve issues.
• Support minors and vulnerable individuals when interacting.
• Perform essential functions with or without accommodation.

Skills

Basic math

Stress management

Bakery experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Food handlers permit

Job description

Embrace the Customer 1st strategy to create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service. Establish and maintain a safe and clean environment that encourages our customers to return. Achieve sales and profit goals established for the department, and monitor and control all established quality assurance standards. Direct, support and supervise all functions, duties and activities for the Bakery department. Role model and demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Promote trust and respect among associates while communicating company, department, and job specific information.
• Collaborate with associates and promote teamwork to help achieve company/store goals.
• Establish performance goals for department and empower associates to meet or exceed targets.
• Develop adequate scheduling to manage customer volume throughout hours of operation.
• Train and develop associates on performance of their job and participate in the performance appraisal process.
• Adhere to all local, state and federal laws, and company guidelines.
• Create an environment that enables customers to feel welcome, important and appreciated. Inform customers of bakery specials and recommend bakery items to them to ensure they get the products they want and need.
• Gain and maintain knowledge of products sold within the department.
• Prepare bakery items per customer requests using proper bakery equipment and offer product samples to help customers discover new items or products they inquire about.
• Provide customers with fresh products the correct portion size to prevent shrink.
• Use all equipment in bakery such as the refrigerators, freezers, and ovens according to company guidelines.
• Partner with store management to develop and implement a department business plan to achieve desired results.
• Prepare and submit seasonal critiques for the sales and merchandising supervisor.
• Stay current with present, future, seasonal and special ads and inform associates of the same.
• Monitor and control expenses for the department.
• Assist store management in preparing the store/department budget, profit and loss reviews, and take appropriate action on all financial reports.
• Schedule routine price changes by updating shelf tags and promotional signs.
• Plan, organize and supervise the inventory process.
• Adhere to all food safety regulations and guidelines: prepare foods according to cooking instructions; ensure proper temperatures of food, cases and coolers are maintained and recorded.
• Reinforce safety programs by complying with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions and notify store management.
• Practice preventive maintenance by properly inspecting equipment and notify appropriate personnel of any items in need of repair.
• Notify management of customer or employee accidents.
• Report all safety risk, or issues, and illegal activity, including: robbery, theft or fraud.
• Ability to work cooperatively in high paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Ability to manage conflict in a reasonable, nonconfrontational and cooperative manner.
• Ability to act with honesty and integrity regarding customer and business information.
• Ability to follow directions and seek assistance when necessary to resolve customer and business issues.
• Provide support and assistance through direct interaction with minors, individuals with special needs, and/or older adults.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Qualifications

Minimum

• Knowledge of basic math
• Ability to handle stressful situations
• Current food handlers permit once employed
• High school education or equivalent
• Bakery experience

Job Info

• Job Identification 244325
• Job Category Store Operations
• Posting Date 10/27/2026, 04:00 AM
• Locations 64660 Van Dyke Rd, Washington, MI, 48095, US (On-site)

The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names.

As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit.

With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.

Here, people matter.

That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life.

We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow.

If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.

Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you.

Apply today to become part of our Kroger family!