Assistant Store Leader

Kroger•Opelika, AL

About The Position

The Assistant Store Leader learns the operations of all departments and the duties of store management, and shares responsibility for store performance across operations and human resources. The role performs scheduling, security, maintenance, safety, sanitation, ordering, administration, and human-resource-related duties while demonstrating the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The Assistant Store Leader supports the Store Manager in leading store teams, delivering a favorable customer shopping experience, meeting sales and profit goals, strengthening associate performance and retention, and ensuring effective execution of merchandising and operating plans. The role manages total store operations when the Store Manager is absent and helps develop current and future store leaders.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 1 year of experience as a 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.

Nice To Haves

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 the Store Manager and associates in creating a favorable customer shopping experience and developing associate interest in customer service and relations.
Assist the Store Manager in leading teams to plan, implement, and execute merchandising and operating initiatives.
Help develop action plans and communicate Associate Insight survey results to associates.
Work with department heads and store associates to identify opportunities, develop timely solutions, and create action plans for implementation.
Model and require a high level of customer service, and resolve associate and customer issues or concerns.
Manage total store operations in the Store Manager’s absence.
Achieve or exceed weekly, period, and annual sales, wage, and profit budgets, along with other targeted goals such as safety and shrink.
Drive sales and profits, reduce shrink, and improve department contributions in collaboration with department managers.
Assist with regular store-level financial performance discussions, including budgets for sales, shrink, labor, and other expenses, and targeted goals such as safety.
Analyze and respond to the competitive landscape within the district or division.
Demonstrate inclusive leadership and expect inclusive behavior from associates.
Use coordinators and other field staff to help departments achieve sales and profit goals and execute division merchandising plans.
Promote and support relationships with local community organizations near the store.
Help build proactive and productive relationships with union representatives or business agents when the store is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Communicate information associates need to perform their duties effectively.
Serve as a liaison to store and district managers and coordinators regarding the effectiveness of division merchandising and operating plans and programs.
Assist the Store Manager with staffing, reducing turnover, and increasing retention.
Provide timely individual and department performance feedback to department heads and associates.
Assist with daily labor management and supply costs to meet customer service and financial targets.
Ensure store compliance with federal, state, and local laws and enterprise policies, and ensure associate knowledge of those requirements.
Support the Store Leader in adopting current and emerging technology by coaching associates and leaders to use tools that improve operational and business performance.
Support the Store Leader in building leadership bench strength by developing department leaders, assistants, leads, and emerging talent.
Supervise and coach direct reports, complete performance reviews, and provide feedback.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.