Retail Leadership Trainee — Path to Store Manager

Rural King; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) with company match

Associate discounts

Training and professional development

Career advancement opportunities

Collaborative, team‑focused ambiente

Job summary

Rural King is seeking a Store Manager in Training (SMIT) to develop leadership and operational skills for a Store Manager role. Under a Store Manager, you will train in store operations, sales, merchandising, associate development, customer service, safety, and loss prevention.

The program runs about 6 months with relocation upon promotion. Ideal candidates have 2+ years of retail management experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to handle a 50-hour workweek

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of retail management experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, customer service, and problem‑solving skills.
• Self‑motivated, adaptable, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, computer systems, and retail technology.

Responsibilities

• Support daily store operations and sales goals, inventory, cash control, merchandising, and loss prevention.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, accurately priced store and supervise upkeep.
• Develop product knowledge and sales techniques to boost store performance.

Skills

Retail management

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

POS systems

Retail technology

Job description

Rural King is seeking a Store Manager in Training (SMIT) to develop leadership and operational skills for a Store Manager role. Under a Store Manager, you will train in store operations, sales, merchandising, associate development, customer service, safety, and loss prevention.

The program runs about 6 months with relocation upon promotion. Ideal candidates have 2+ years of retail management experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to handle a 50-hour workweek