ASSISTANT STORE DIRECTOR - GREATER PUGET SOUND

UWAJIMAYA INC•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Uwajimaya is more than just a grocery store — we’re a vibrant cultural destination with a rich history rooted in family, community, and food. Since 1928, we’ve grown into the Pacific Northwest’s premier Asian retailer, known for our wide selection, welcoming atmosphere, and commitment to sharing the diverse traditions of Asian cultures. We take pride in creating a one-of-a-kind experience for customers and employees alike — one that’s centered around food, culture, and people. At Uwajimaya, we believe in nurturing growth — in our communities, our customers, and our team members. We foster an environment built on collaboration, curiosity, and care. Whether you're growing your leadership career or bringing years of experience, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact in a workplace that values tradition, innovation, and connection. We’re looking for an Assistant Store Director who is a strong operator and people leader — someone who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment and enjoys developing teams, driving results, and delivering an exceptional customer experience. This role is a key leader within the store, partnering closely with the Store Director to oversee daily operations and ensure strong execution across all areas of the business. You bring a hands-on approach, a focus on accountability, and the ability to lead through influence. You’re energized by being on the floor, making real-time decisions, and supporting teams to deliver a great customer experience. You value teamwork, follow-through, and contributing to a collaborative, service-oriented store culture. Flexibility to support different store locations as business needs evolve is important for success in this role. The Assistant Store Director (ASD) partners with the Store Director to drive operational excellence, financial performance, and talent development within the store. This role holds shared accountability for achieving sales, gross margin, labor productivity, inventory control, and customer experience standards. The ASD plays a critical role in strengthening store operations, supporting Department Managers, and ensuring consistent execution across all areas of the business. This is a hands-on leadership role, operating on the floor and balancing real-time operational decision-making with business performance management. The ASD also plays a key role in building leadership bench strength and is expected to step in and lead store operations as needed.

Requirements

3+ years of progressive retail management experience
Demonstrated ability to interpret financial reports and key performance indicators
Proven ability to drive accountability and operational execution
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
Excellent communication and leadership skills
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
Proficiency with business systems and Microsoft Office
High school diploma required

Nice To Haves

Experience in grocery, specialty retail, or high-volume store environments strongly preferred
Experience in a Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, or equivalent leadership role preferred
additional education or coursework preferred

Responsibilities

Co-lead daily store operations, ensuring strong execution across merchandising, safety, service, and operational standards
Monitor and respond to key business metrics including sales, gross margin, and labor to drive store performance
Analyze store performance and partner with Department Managers to identify and implement operational improvements
Coach, support, and influence Department Managers to drive performance and team development
Reinforce customer experience standards and quickly address service gaps
Support workforce planning, staffing, and succession readiness within assigned areas
Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements
Partner on employee relations matters, providing coaching and performance feedback as needed
Serve as acting Store Director when required
Other duties as assigned