Store Lead (Full Time)

Job Category: Company Stores

Location: Suffolk, VA 23434, USA

About Grocery Outlet:

Our Mission: Touching lives for the better

Our Vision: Touching lives by being the first choice for bargain-minded consumers in the U.S.

Our Values & Behaviors: Achievement, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Family, Fun, Integrity & Service

About the Role:

The Store Lead is a critical position responsible for creating a welcoming environment and ensuring the store (or assigned department) operates at the highest standard of quality and service.

Whether overseeing the Front End or a Fresh Department, you are the bridge between store management and the team. The ideal candidate acts as a role model who enjoys interacting with people, works well under pressure, balances management support duties with hands-on work, and maintains a positive, can-do attitude. You will be responsible for inventory control, merchandising, team support, and delivering the customer service our shoppers expect. This role reports to the Store Manager.

Responsibilities Include:

Leadership & Team Development

• Task direction and support: Provide guidance to associates, acting as both a team member and a leader to ensure harmony and productivity.
• Workflow Management: Monitor workflow and support break coverage coordination and ensure breaks, tasks, and customer needs are handled promptly.
• Policy Enforcement: Model and reinforce company policies, procedures, and programs, and promptly elevate any concerns or issues to management to ensure a safe, positive environment for customers and employees.

Customer Service & Sales

• Sales & Margin: Maintain a strong focus on driving top-line sales and improving margin through effective ordering, strategic product merchandising, and consistent operational execution across the department, all while upholding Grocery Outlet Brand Standards.
• Customer Engagement: Interact with customers with kindness and enthusiasm, answering questions and ensuring they feel welcome.
• Problem Resolution: Willingly and promptly address customer complaints or concerns, including expediting returns, refunds, or helping locate items.
• Pricing Execution & Shrink Controls: Product related to all receiving, including DSD, markdown management, throwaway optimization, and unidentified shrink mitigation measures.

Operations, Inventory & Merchandising

• Inventory Management: Take inventory of merchandise and replenish/order products to drive sales and minimize out-of-stock.
• Receiving & Logistics: Perform receiving duties, verify orders against invoices, report shortages, unload trucks, and organize stock rooms.
• Stocking & Rotation: Ensure freshness and quality by rotating stock, discarding outdated products, and filling assigned sales floor areas.
• Store Conditions: Maintain a clean, safe, and orderly store/department, ensuring compliance with all guidelines and proper pricing/signage while adhering to Grocery Outlet Brand Standards.
• Merchandising: Drive product performance by creating detailed ordering plans, managing inventory flow, and executing strategic visual displays that capture customer attention.

Financial & Administrative (As Applicable)

• Cashier Support: Review and accept customer checks, perform overrides/voids, and resolve cashiering-related issues.
• Office Duties: Perform miscellaneous office duties, such as handling incoming/outgoing mail and ordering supplies.
• Equipment Operation: Safely operate backroom equipment such as pallet jacks, balers, and cardboard/trash compactors.

Food Safety, Safety and Compliance

• Maintain clean work environment.
• Ensure documentation is completed (cleaning logs, temp logs).
• Follow food safety/handling procedures, safety and company policies.

About You:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred.
• Previous grocery or retail experience required. 25 years preferred.
• Flexible schedule to meet business needs.
• Ability to work in harmony with others as a team member and leader.
• Ability to interpret, understand, and follow instructions.
• Ability to deliver friendly, courteous, prompt customer service.
• Excellent verbal, written, and listening communication skills.
• Ability to interact with customers, associates, truck drivers, and vendors, all with a smile.
• Ability to work in stressful situations with the public and management.
• Prior bookkeeping or perishable experience is a plus.
• Forklift or pallet jack experience preferred.

Work Conditions (may include, but not limited to the following)

• Bending, walking, standing, lifting and kneeling for extended periods of time.
• Lifting up to 50 lbs. frequently or with team assistance when necessary.
• Duties in various parts of store in different temperatures and work environments.
• Interacting with customers, associates, truck drivers, and vendors.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.