EC Porter: Assistant Store Manager (London, Kentucky)

Merchants Distributors, LLC•Hickory, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Store Manager supports the Store Manager in driving operational excellence and profitability, with direct focus on Perishables (meat/seafood, produce/floral, deli/bakery) and Center Store (grocery, dairy, frozen) departments. This role ensures strong execution of merchandising, inventory, and labor strategies to maximize sales, control shrink, and deliver an outstanding customer experience. In the absence of the Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager assumes full responsibility for total store operations and team leadership.

Requirements

3–4 years of progressive experience in grocery retail, with strong exposure to Perishables and Center Store operations.
Demonstrated knowledge of inventory control, shrink management, merchandising execution, and labor planning.
Proven leadership ability with experience managing teams and developing employees.
Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Drives execution of weekly sales plans, merchandising programs, and promotional themes across Perishables and Center Store departments.
Ensures weekly Center Store grocery plans are followed, fully set, and ready for business each day, including proper ad execution, display readiness, pricing accuracy, and in-stock conditions.
Ensure proper in-stock conditions, display execution, and product rotation to support sales growth and minimize shrink.
Oversee inventory management and shrink control, with a heavy focus on Perishables performance and Center Store accuracy and profitability.
Maintains optimal product levels across meat, produce, deli/bakery, grocery, dairy, and frozen departments to balance sales demand and reduce waste.
Supports labor planning and scheduling across departments to meet operational needs while controlling payroll costs.
Ensures high standards of food safety, sanitation, and store cleanliness, with emphasis on Perishable departments.
Provides leadership to department managers and associates by setting expectations, monitoring performance, and delivering coaching and feedback.
Supports hiring, onboarding, and training of store associates, building strong and capable department teams.
Conducts regular store walks and operational checks to ensure merchandising standards, pricing accuracy, and overall store readiness.
Protects company assets, including inventory, equipment, cash handling, and facilities.
Assumes full accountability for store operations in the absence of the Store Manager.
Completes additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.