Grocery Department Lead

Job Summary: 

The Grocery Department Lead is responsible for the daily execution, merchandising, ordering, and inventory integrity of the dry grocery and general merchandise sections. In this role, you focus on maintaining a high-volume, "Shelf Ready" program—managing diverse inventory categories, ensuring meticulous organization, and maintaining the store’s core appearance.  While the Store Manager oversees the department's P&L and financial strategy, the Lead is the "owner" of the aisles, ensuring every shelf is faced, every price tag is accurate, and the backroom is organized for maximum efficiency. 

Essential Functions

1. Inventory & Stock Management 

• Receiving & Verification: Oversee the ordering, inventory and delivery of dry grocery loads; verify piece counts against invoices and ensure pallet breakdown is handled efficiently. 

• Backroom Organization: Maintain a clean and safe backroom; ensure overstock is properly binned, labeled, and accessible to minimize "out-of-stock" on the sales floor. 

• Stocking & Rotation: Ensure the grocery aisles follow standard rotation practices, particularly for items with shelf lives like snacks, canned goods, and beverages. 

2. Merchandising & Presentation 

• Aisle Maintenance: Ensure the department appears "Grand Opening" ready at all times by overseeing constant facing (pulling product forward) and shelf cleaning. 

• Endcap & Display Management: Work with the Store Manager to build and maintain high-impact endcap displays that drive impulse purchases and highlight seasonal promotions. 

• Signage & Pricing: Assist Pricing and Data Integrity lead by conducting regular audits to ensure every item has a clear, accurate shelf tag and that promotional "talkers" are updated weekly. 

3. Department Standards & Safety 

• Safety Compliance: Maintain clear aisles and ensure no tripping hazards (pallets, cardboard, or spills) exist during shopping hours. 

• Equipment Care: Safely operate and oversee the use of pallet jacks, U-boats, and cardboard balers. 

• Security: Monitor high-shrink categories (e.g., health and beauty) and implement merchandising strategies to reduce theft while maintaining accessibility. 

4. Customer Engagement 

• Serve as a floor leader, proactively assisting customers in navigating the aisles and locating specific products. 

• Monitor customer requests for new items and report "frequent asks" to the Store Manager to help refine the store's product mix. 

Competencies

• Oral/Written Communication 

Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms. 

• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving 

Obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data to make decisions and overcome problems.  

• Teamwork/Collaboration 

Work within a team structure and can negotiate and manage conflict. Exhibit a positive workplace attitude that encourages advancement towards common goals.  

• Digital Technology 

Demonstrate personal accountability, effective work habits, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly, and ability to learn from mistakes.  

• Merchandising 

The sales floor must be fully faced and clear of debris before peak morning and evening hours. Minimize "holes" on shelves by ensuring backstock is worked daily and "out-of-stocks" are flagged immediately. 

• Efficiency 

Leading by example in stocking speed and accuracy, ensuring loads are broken down and shelved within established timeframes. 

• Detail Oriented 

High attention to detail regarding shelf-tag placement and SKU-level organization. 

• Reliability 

Punctuality is a must—our customers rely on us being open and ready. 

Education and experience

Qualifications 

• Age Requirement: Must be 18 or older (required for tobacco/lottery sales in this jurisdiction). 

• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift to 50 lbs. consistently and spend most of the shift standing, walking, and climbing ladders. 

• Experience: 1–2 years of experience in a grocery or retail environment, with a strong understanding of high-volume stocking procedures. Exceptional ability to manage large volumes of inventory and keep backroom spaces structured. 

Career Path

• Shift Manager 

• Assistant Manager 

• Store Manager 

Salary : $16 - $18