Department Leader — Drive Sales & Service Excellence

The Kroger Co.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kroger Co. in Madison, WI is seeking a front-line leader to provide guidance during peak hours (3p-7p weekdays; 11a-7p weekends) to drive sales and deliver a great customer experience.

As a department leader, you’ll develop a high-performance team, train associates, and ensure merchandising and safety standards are consistently followed. This role emphasizes effective communication, employee development, and collaboration with store leadership to create a welcoming environment for customers.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Knowledge of basic math (counting, addition, subtraction).

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
• Ensure orders are put up in a timely manner, working backstock, rotating product and replenishing throughout the day
• Train and develop associates on their job performance and participate in the performance appraisal process
• Create an environment that enables customers to feel welcome, important and appreciated by answering questions regarding products sold within the department and throughout the store; respond to questions, make suggestions, and locate products
• Inform customers of produce specials and offer product samples to help customers discover new items
• Ensure merchandising standards are being followed; review/inspect products for quality and freshness and take appropriate action
• Create and execute sales promotions in partnership with store management
• Inform and educate department associates about current, upcoming and special in-store promotions, especially promotions that affect the department
• Ensure in-stock behaviors are being executed daily
• Implement the period promotional plan for the department
• Ensure hourly conditioning is taking place so products are kept fresh and displays are clean
• Make certain that backroom and prep areas are clean and 5s practices are being executed
• Ensure a good close is being executed in order to achieve morning readiness
• Plan and organize the inventory process, maintain an awareness of inventory/stocking conditions, note any discrepancies, train department associates on inventory/stocking and Computer Assisted Ordering (CAO)
• Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and temperature logs are maintained
• Reinforce safety programs by complying with safety procedures, identifying xxzpjkt 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 risk, or issues, and illegal activity, including robbery, theft or fraud
• Adhere to all local, state and federal laws, and company guideline
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Skills

Communication skills

Stress management

Basic math

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Kroger Co. in Madison, WI is seeking a front-line leader to provide guidance during peak hours (3p-7p weekdays; 11a-7p weekends) to drive sales and deliver a great customer experience.

As a department leader, you’ll develop a high-performance team, train associates, and ensure merchandising and safety standards are consistently followed. This role emphasizes effective communication, employee development, and collaboration with store leadership to create a welcoming environment for customers.