Assistant Store Director - Center Store

Fresh Thyme Market•Fairview Heights, IL

About The Position

The Assistant Store Director – Center Store is responsible for overall day-to-day store operations, including employee relations, events, weekly sales flyers, and executing and evaluating activities to maximize sales, control costs, and use labor efficiently. The role helps ensure a positive shopping experience for customers and a positive working environment for employees, while adhering to procedural guidelines. The position oversees the NL department manager and carries Grocery Manager responsibilities, including accountability for department conditions, hiring and scheduling practices, labor costs, and staff training. It has financial ownership of applicable departments and responsibility for merchandising, program execution, loss prevention, sanitation, cleanliness, cash management, and maintaining a safe work environment. The Assistant Store Director also communicates regularly with corporate department directors, maintains product knowledge, and ensures departments remain organized and clean. The job requires at least five years of professional experience. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred, as is four to six years of grocery retail experience in store operations and merchandising. Natural foods industry experience is a plus. The role requires flexibility to work varied hours and days as business dictates. Physical demands include standing and walking continuously, driving frequently, and occasional lifting of items up to 50 pounds. Some extreme temperatures and ventilation or exhaust fans may be present.

Requirements

At least five years of professional experience.
Ability to maintain the highest level of customer service.
Ability to adapt to a changing, high-volume retail environment and work in a cross-functional team.
Initiative and independent judgment to address problems and take immediate corrective action.
Flexibility to adapt to a variety of situations and work varied hours and days as business dictates.
Advanced attention to detail and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Excellent written communication and documentation skills.
Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills for working cross-functionally with peers and senior management.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Strong multitasking and organizational skills.
Ability to lead, support, and contribute to team goals.
Familiarity with Health Department guidelines and regulations applicable to grocery retail.
Efficient planning and ability to execute for results.
Ability to improve staff performance through motivation, training, and clear expectations.
Ability to read and understand financial statements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Four to six years of grocery retail experience in overall store operations and merchandising processes and procedures.
Previous experience in the natural foods industry.

Responsibilities

Oversee the NL department manager and carry Grocery Manager responsibilities to ensure staff accountability for department conditions.
Monitor hiring practices and scheduling techniques, and keep labor costs at or below budgeted payroll.
Provide ongoing staff training and ensure employees are trained on policies and procedures.
Maintain financial ownership and accountability for applicable departments.
Manage merchandising, program execution, loss prevention, and department appearance and conditions.
Maintain store sanitation and cleanliness in accordance with local laws and best practices.
Initiate weekly communications with corporate department directors to exchange business information, including vendor and product issues.
Maintain a safe work environment for employees, vendors, and customers.
Monitor store cash management, including approving store expenses before they occur.
Maintain a high level of product knowledge and product preparation.
Walk departments regularly to ensure they are organized, sanitary, and clean.
Perform other duties as assigned.