Customer-First Deli & Bakery Department Lead

Kroger; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger in Virginia is hiring for a Deli Department role focused on delivering exceptional customer service and safe, quality food. You will lead and train associates, manage scheduling, and ensure compliance with food safety standards while promoting the store's values of respect and integrity.

The position emphasizes teamwork, communication, and the ability to handle high customer volume, with opportunities to influence department performance and budgeting processes.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of basic math.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Current food handler's permit upon employment.

Responsibilities

• Promote trust and respect among associates, with a positive attitude.
• Communicate company, department, and job specific information to associates.
• Establish department performance goals and empower associates to meet or exceed targets through teamwork.
• Develop adequate scheduling to manage customer volume.
• Train and develop associates on performance of their job and participate in the performance appraisal process.
• Adhere to all local, state and federal laws, company guidelines, food safety regulations and guidelines.
• Create an environment that enables customers to feel welcome, important and appreciated by answering questions regarding specials and products sold within the department/store.
• Prepare deli/bakery items per customer requests and slice deli meats and cheeses to customers' requesting using proper equipment according to company guidelines: fryer, rotisserie, heat lamps, and ovens.
• Offer product samples to help customers discover new items or products they inquire about.
• Provide customers the fresh products they order and correct portion size (or as close as possible to amount ordered) to prevent shrink.
• Inform and educate department associates on promotions, create and implement department period promotional plan in partnership with store management, stay current with present, future, seasonal and special ads.
• Prepare and submit seasonal critiques for the sales and merchandising supervisor.
• Assist store management in preparing the store/department budget, expense control, profit/loss reviews, and take appropriate action on all financial reports.
• Schedule daily, weekly and monthly price changes by updating shelf tags and promotional signs.
• Plan and organize inventory process, maintain awareness of inventory/stocking conditions, note any discrepancies, train department associates on inventory/stocking and Computer Assisted Ordering.
• Prepare foods according to food temperature logs, follow cooking instructions, ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and temperature logs are maintained.
• Reinforce safety programs by complying with safety procedures, identifying unsafe conditions, practicing preventive maintenance by properly inspecting equipment, notifying store management of any items in need of repair and of customer or employee accidents.
• Report all safety risks, or issues, and illegal activity, including: robbery, theft or fraud.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Skills

Effective communication

Basic math

Stress management

Management experience

Deli/bakery experience

Retail experience

Second language

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Kroger in Virginia is hiring for a Deli Department role focused on delivering exceptional customer service and safe, quality food. You will lead and train associates, manage scheduling, and ensure compliance with food safety standards while promoting the store's values of respect and integrity.

The position emphasizes teamwork, communication, and the ability to handle high customer volume, with opportunities to influence department performance and budgeting processes.