Store Leader: Drive Sales, Service & Ops

Kroger Co.; Washington (IN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Employee assistance program

Disounts on purchases

Tuition reimbursement

Training and growth opportunities

Job summary

Kroger Co. is seeking a Store Operations Leader to oversee multiple departments and support store management in delivering a superior customer experience.

The role covers scheduling, budgeting, safety, and human resources responsibilities, with emphasis on driving sales and staff development. The position requires coaching and collaboration across teams to implement merchandising and operational plans, engage with community and labor relations, and optimize profit and performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED is required.
• 1 year of experience as department manager, service manager, or in an equivalent role.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing associates, including supervisors, managers, and future leaders, to achieve customer service, operational, and business goals in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Demonstrated experience using KPIs, metrics, and data insights to identify opportunities, solve problems, and support business decisions.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments and influence others to drive store performance.
• Proven success driving customer experience, sales growth, operational excellence, and talent development.
• Experience managing competing priorities while leading teams through change and achieving business objectives.
• Strong track record of independently leading strategies that delivered sustained, measurable improvements across multiple areas of store performance.

Responsibilities

• Assist store manager and associates in the achievement of a favorable customer shopping experience and develop associate interest in customer service/relations to enhance Kroger’s best-in-class reputation.
• Assist Store Manager in leading teams in planning, implementing and executing merchandising/operating initiatives.
• Assist store manager with developing action plans/communications to associates on Associate Insight survey results.
• Work with department heads/store associates to identify store opportunities, develop timely solutions and create action plans to ensure plan implementation.
• Role model/demand a highest level of customer service and solve associate/customer issues/concerns.
• Manage total store operations in store manager’s absence.
• Achieve/exceed weekly, period, and annual sales, wage budgets and profit budgets, as well as other targeted goals (e.g., safety, shrink).
• Drive sales by working with department managers to produce/maximize sales and profits, reduce shrink and improve each store department’s contribution.
• Assist store manager in regular store-level financial performance discussions with associates regarding developing budgets (e.g., sales, shrink, labor expenses, other expenses) and other targeted goals (e.g., safety).
• Analyze/respond to competitive landscape within district/division.
• Demonstrate inclusionary leadership; expect inclusive behavior from associates.
• Utilize coordinators/other field staff to ensure store departments achieve sales/profit goals and ensure implementation/execution of division merchandising plans.
• Promote/support strong relationships with local community organizations in the store's surrounding area.
• Assist in building proactive/productive relationships with union representatives/business agents if store is covered by collective bargaining agreement.
• Communicate necessary information to associates to help them effectively carry out duties.
• Serve as liaison to store/district managers and coordinators on effectiveness of division merchandising/ operational plans/programs.
• Assist store manager in staffing, reducing turnover and increasing retention.
• Provide timely individual/department performance feedback to department heads and associates.
• Assist with labor management and supply costs on a daily basis to meet customer service/financial targets.
• Ensure store compliance and associate knowledge of federal, state, and local laws/enterprise policies.
• Support the Store Leader in driving adoption of current and emerging technology solutions by coaching associates and leaders to effectively utilize tools that enhance operational and business performance.
• Support the Store Leader in building leadership bench strength by developing department leaders, assistants, leads, and emerging talent for future opportunities.
• Supervise and coach direct reports on the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Skills

People leadership

Customer service

Budget awareness

KPIs/data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Kroger Co. is seeking a Store Operations Leader to oversee multiple departments and support store management in delivering a superior customer experience.

The role covers scheduling, budgeting, safety, and human resources responsibilities, with emphasis on driving sales and staff development. The position requires coaching and collaboration across teams to implement merchandising and operational plans, engage with community and labor relations, and optimize profit and performance.