DELI-BAKERY/ASST DEPT LEADER

The Kroger Co.•Santa Clarita, CA

About The Position

The Deli-Bakery/Assistant Department Leader supports department operations by promoting excellent customer service, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and working toward established sales and profit goals. The role monitors department functions and quality assurance standards while demonstrating the company’s values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The position helps lead and develop associates, coordinate staffing and department performance, support promotional and inventory activities, and assist store management with budgeting and financial reviews. It also serves customers directly by answering questions, preparing deli and bakery items to order, offering samples, and ensuring products are portioned and handled according to company guidelines. Food safety, temperature monitoring, equipment inspection, and compliance with applicable laws and procedures are central to the role.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Effective communication skills.
Knowledge of basic math.
Ability to handle stressful situations.
Must obtain a current food handlers permit once employed.

Nice To Haves

High school education or equivalent.
Management experience.
Retail, deli, or bakery experience.
Ability to speak, read, and/or write in a second language.

Responsibilities

Promote trust and respect among associates and maintain a positive attitude.
Communicate company, department, and job-specific information to associates.
Set department performance goals and empower associates to meet or exceed targets through teamwork.
Develop schedules appropriate to customer volume.
Train and develop associates and participate in performance appraisals.
Follow local, state, and federal laws, company guidelines, and food safety regulations.
Create a welcoming customer environment and answer questions about specials and products.
Prepare deli and bakery items to customer requests and slice meats and cheeses using equipment according to company guidelines.
Offer product samples to customers.
Provide fresh products and accurate portion sizes to help prevent shrink.
Educate associates about promotions, implement promotional plans with store management, and stay current on advertising.
Prepare seasonal critiques for the sales and merchandising supervisor.
Assist store management with budgets, expense control, profit/loss reviews, and follow-up on financial reports.
Schedule price changes and update shelf tags and promotional signs.
Plan and organize inventory processes, monitor inventory and stocking, identify discrepancies, and train associates on inventory, stocking, and Computer Assisted Ordering.
Prepare food according to temperature logs and cooking instructions, and maintain proper case and cooler temperatures and logs.
Reinforce safety programs, follow safety procedures, identify unsafe conditions, inspect equipment, and report needed repairs and customer or employee accidents to store management.
Report safety risks, issues, and illegal activity, including robbery, theft, or fraud.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.