DISTRICT 3 HR SPECIALIST (Lawrence/Leavenworth, KS)

Kroger; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible scheduling

Employee discounts

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Kroger in Lawrence, KS is seeking a District 3 HR Specialist to lead sourcing, recruiting, selection and onboarding for store associates, and to support succession planning strategies.

You will partner with store leadership to drive HR processes, maintain data integrity, advise on leaves, performance and retention, and deliver coaching. Minimum 2+ years in HR or retail management; Bachelor's in HR preferred; SHRM credentials encouraged.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in human resources or retail department management.
• Knowledge of HR processes and employment laws.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Interview candidates and manage the offer process.
• Drive sourcing, recruiting and onboarding for store positions.
• Assist HR in associate investigations.
• Lead store leadership in HR processes and retention initiatives.
• Counsel management on leaves, workers comp, PTO and performance.
• Coordinate training programs and new hire orientation.
• Maintain knowledge of HRIS, policies and data integrity.
• Respond to associate inquiries with urgency and high service level.
• Conduct exit interviews and identify retention trends.
• Support requisitions and background checks for new hires.

Skills

HR experience

Recruiting

Onboarding

Confidentiality

Stakeholder management

Compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in HR

PHR / SPHR / SHRM credentials

Job description

DISTRICT 3 HR SPECIALIST (Lawrence/Leavenworth, KS)

Lawrence, KS, United States

Job Description

Drive sourcing, recruiting, selection and onboarding to support fully staffed stores with friendly associates. Interview candidates and make hiring decisions. Partner with relevant stakeholders to create and drive succession planning strategies. Ensure the accuracy, integrity, daily maintenance, release of information, storage, and confidentiality of all associate data. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews, make hiring decisions, manage the offer process and initiate pre-screening tests and background checks
• Drive sourcing, recruiting, selection and onboarding for store positions; verify that new associates are properly onboarded and trained to perform their work
• Assist the division HR department in conducting associate investigations
• Lead and support store leadership in implementing HR processes, procedures and programs to promote engagement, culture and retention
• Provide counsel and coaching to management on associate issues (i.e., leaves of absence, workers compensation, PTO, policies, retention, performance, succession)
• Coordinate and deliver (as appropriate) associate training programs, including new hire orientation, manager on duty and department leader development
• Act as subject matter expert for associate data and human resource information systems, policies and processes
• Respond to and resolve associate inquires with a sense of urgency and high level of service
• Conduct exit interviews and feedback discussions to identify and track trends that may impact retention
• Support talent acquisition in the creation and ongoing maintenance of hiring requisitions and new hire onboarding process (background checks, drug screen, I-9, new hire paperwork)
• Assess data submissions for completeness and resolve data discrepancies
• Support record requests by retrieving appropriate documentation and providing it to business partners when needed
• Collect data regarding current processes; develop improved methods with input from stakeholders
• Comply with federal, state, and local labor laws, including minor labor laws and support compliance with food and alcoholic beverage laws/regulations
• Process data entries related to wages/salaries, terminations, status and position changes, newly hired and rehired associates, transfers, time accrual maintenance, updates to associate personal information and other HR activities in an accurate and timely manner
• Travel to store locations to drive HR initiatives and provide consultation and support for management and onsite staff
• Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Qualifications

Minimum

• 2+ years of experience in human resources or retail department management
• Knowledge of HR business processes and employment laws
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative business partnerships
• Effectively able to prioritize and handle multiple projects and responsibilities
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills
• Proven knowledge and experience working with external recruiting sites, resume databases and external recruiting activities

Desired

• Bachelor's Degree human resources
• Any experience in recruiting/hiring, training and development, coaching, employee relations, and/or HR strategy
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification

Job Info

• Job Identification 235795
• Job Category Human Resources/Diversity
• Posting Date 09/30/2026, 10:16 PM

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!