GROCERY/ASST DEPT LEADER

Kroger; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Employee Assistance Program

Associate discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Kroger is seeking an Assistant Department Manager in the Grocery Department to assist in planning, staffing and directing associates while maximizing store sales and profits in a safe, ethical manner.

Responsibilities include organizing staffing, training, customer service, CAO-based ordering, pricing and merchandising, and ensuring policy compliance. The role requires strong communication and leadership abilities with a focus on teamwork and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Flexible schedule including mornings, afternoons, evenings, nights
• Willing to work weekends and holidays as needed
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to make quick, sound decisions
• Calmly handle stressful situations and present a positive image
• Experience in production, merchandising and customer service related to sale of merchandise
• Understanding of department operations (staffing, merchandising, inventory, scheduling, shrink control)
• Knowledge of employment laws and OSHA compliance
• Ability to operate power tools and equipment used in grocery department

Responsibilities

• Assist Department Manager in organizing work and staffing needs, and training and scheduling associates for prompt service.
• Respond to customer or associate comments, complaints, requests, accidents, and questions professionally.
• Use CAO to manage ordering quantities and ensure proper accounting of product receipts and balance on hand.
• Price and display merchandise, maintain signage, rotation, freshness and space allocation.
• Counsel associates in merchandising techniques, customer service, product presentation and promotions.
• Ensure compliance with company programs and policies including dress code, grooming, sanitation and harassment/discrimination policies.
• Provide input on department budgets, goals and results.
• Communicate with associates and customers to create a positive impression.
• Maintain equipment, facilities and cleanliness per policy.
• Support company initiatives and process improvements with the team.
• Demonstrate ability to manage people and workloads.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Staffing management

Customer service

Communication

Decision making

Stress management

Merchandising

OSHA compliance knowledge

CAO usage

Tools

CAO

Job description

Assist Department Manager in planning, organizing, staffing, training and directing Grocery Department associates;
perform production and customer service functions; maximize store sales and profits safely and ethically in
accordance with policies and procedures. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Department Manager in organizing work, filling department staffing needs as authorized by store
  management, and training and scheduling associates so that customers are consistently provided with prompt
  courteous service.
• Respond appropriately to customer or associate comments, complaints, requests, accidents and questions. Be
  prompt, tactful, calm, courteous and professional in all interactions.
• Use Computer Assisted Ordering (CAO) to manage ordering appropriate quantities of merchandise and
  supplies, and insure proper accounting of product received and balance on hand in the Department Manager’s
  absence.
• Perform and direct others in pricing and displaying of merchandise. Maintain proper signage, product rotation,
  freshness, quantity, quality and proper space allocation for merchandise.
• Engage yourself and counsel associates in effective, productive merchandising techniques, customer services,
  product presentation and promotional activities.
• Follow through on implementation of company programs and adherence to company policies and procedures,
  particularly in the areas of dress code, grooming, sanitation and maintenance of a work environment free of
  unlawful harassment or discrimination.
• Provide Department Manager with input on department budgets, goals and results.
• Communicate and interact with associates and customers to provide a positive impression.
• Maintain equipment and facilities properly and safely in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Maintain floor, shelf and grocery areas clean and up to sanitary standards.
• Demonstrate the ability and desire to promote, communicate and implement company initiatives and process
  improvements to direct reports in a positive manner.
• Demonstrated aptitude to manage people and organize workloads.
• Perform any and all duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum

• Willing to be flexible and work mornings, afternoons, evenings, nights as the work demands.
• Willing and available to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to make intelligent decisions quickly
• Able to tactfully and calmly handle stressful situations and make a positive impression on associates and customers.
• Possess abilities and skills for effective production, merchandising and customer services related to sale of merchandise.
• Understanding of all key components of department operations (i.e. Managing people, merchandising, computer assisted ordering, inventory management, shrink control, customer services, labor scheduling, expense control, etc.)
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations related to employment practices, OSHA compliance, etc.
• Qualified and able to operate power machinery and work with various job tools, (power jacks, box cutters, label guns, balers, compactors, etc.).
• Grocery retail work experience and/or backup manager experience.
• Past work record reflects dependability and integrity.

Job Info

• Job Identification 217910
• Job Category Store Operations
• Posting Date 09/18/2026, 07:25 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.