Assistant Store Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

Hood Canal Market Fresh is looking for a motivated, experienced, and customer-service-focused Assistant Store Manager to join our leadership team.

This is an important role within our store. The Assistant Store Manager works closely with the Store Director and helps oversee the day-to-day operation of the entire store, while supporting our employees and making sure our customers receive the friendly, helpful service they have come to expect from Hood Canal Market Fresh.

This is a hands-on leadership position. We are looking for someone who is willing to learn and understand all aspects of our business, who isn't afraid to jump in and help wherever they are needed, and who can see what needs to be done and take initiative.

We are a customer-service-forward store, and we believe great customer service starts with a great team. We work hard to cultivate a workplace that is empowering, supportive, and rooted in our core values. We want our employees to feel trusted to take ownership, encouraged to grow, and proud of the work they do.

The Assistant Store Manager must have FULL SCHEDULE AVAILABILITY, including the ability to work day shifts, evening and night shifts, weekends, holidays, peak business periods, and varying schedules based on the needs of the store.

When the Store Director is unavailable, the Assistant Store Manager will assume responsibility for the overall operation of the store. This requires someone who is confident leading a team, comfortable making decisions, able to handle customer and employee concerns, and capable of keeping the store running safely, efficiently, and successfully.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Assistant Store Manager works closely with the Store Director and leadership team to ensure Hood Canal Market Fresh provides an excellent experience for both our customers and employees.

The Assistant Store Manager will work throughout the store and develop a strong understanding of all areas of our business. We are looking for someone who can see the big picture while still paying attention to the details.

You may be helping a customer one minute, supporting a cashier the next, checking inventory, helping stock a department, handling an employee question, or stepping in to manage an unexpected situation.

The Assistant Store Manager needs to be comfortable with all of it.

Above all, this position represents the standards and values of Hood Canal Market Fresh. We want our customers to feel welcomed, our employees to feel supported, and our store to operate at its best every day.

**FULL AVAILABILITY IS REQUIRED-**This position requires full schedule availability.

The Assistant Store Manager must be available to work:

• Day shifts
• Evening shifts
• Night and closing shifts
• Weekends
• Holidays
• Peak business periods
• Schedule changes based on business needs
• Occasional coverage for staffing needs

This position cannot be limited to only day shifts or only night shifts.

The Assistant Store Manager must be comfortable both opening and closing the store and adjusting their schedule when needed to support the business.

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AT THE HEART OF THIS POSITION.

• Lead by example by providing friendly, welcoming, and exceptional customer service.
• Make customers feel valued and welcome in our store.
• Ensure employees consistently provide excellent customer service.
• Build positive relationships with our local community and visiting customers.
• Listen to customer concerns and work toward appropriate solutions.
• Handle customer complaints professionally and promptly.
• Use good judgment when resolving customer issues.
• Help create a shopping experience that makes customers want to come back.
• Remember that every interaction with a customer represents Hood Canal Market Fresh.

LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Lead by example and maintain a positive and respectful workplace.
• Provide employees with clear direction and expectations.
• Support and coach employees to help them succeed.
• Assist with employee orientation and training.
• Help employees understand store policies and procedures.
• Encourage teamwork and communication.
• Hold employees accountable while treating them fairly and respectfully.
• Recognize good work and encourage employee development.
• Support PICs and department leaders.
• Help create an environment where employees feel comfortable asking questions and learning.
• Help employees take ownership of their responsibilities.
• Address employee concerns and performance issues appropriately.
• Communicate significant employee issues to the Store Director.

SCHEDULING & STAFFING

• Assist with employee scheduling and shift management.
• Help maintain appropriate staffing levels.
• Assist with finding coverage for unexpected absences.
• Monitor attendance and punctuality.
• Help ensure employees are in the right areas based on business needs.
• Assist with payroll-related processes and timekeeping.
• Help manage staffing challenges and unexpected changes.
• Communicate staffing concerns to the Store Director.
• Be willing to step in and work alongside the team when coverage is needed.

INVENTORY & MERCHANDISING

• Assist with inventory management and inventory control.
• Monitor stock levels and identify out-of-stock products.
• Help minimize shrinkage and product loss.
• Ensure shelves and displays are stocked, faced, clean, and appealing.
• Assist with promotional displays and merchandising.
• Monitor product presentation throughout the store.
• Help identify opportunities to improve product movement and sales.
• Work with department leaders to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Assist with receiving and stocking merchandise when needed.

SALES, RETAIL MATH & BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

• Assist with sales strategies and promotional activities.
• Understand basic retail math.
• Assist with pricing and promotional decisions.
• Monitor sales performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Understand the relationship between sales, margins, inventory, labor, and profitability.
• Help control unnecessary loss and shrinkage.
• Support the Store Director in meeting store sales and profitability goals.

CASH HANDLING & POS

• Follow and enforce proper cash-handling procedures.
• Assist with register and POS issues.
• Support cashiers when problems arise.
• Assist with till counts and cash accountability.
• Help ensure accurate transactions and proper procedures are followed.
• Assist with basic office functions and bookkeeping.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures, including end-of-day responsibilities when assigned.

WHEN THE STORE DIRECTOR IS UNAVAILABLE

The Assistant Store Manager must be capable of taking charge of the store when the Store Director is unavailable.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supervising employees on duty.
• Assigning and prioritizing work.
• Managing customer service issues.
• Handling employee concerns.
• Responding to accidents and emergencies.
• Addressing staffing issues.
• Making operational decisions.
• Maintaining store safety and security.
• Ensuring store policies are followed.
• Monitoring the sales floor and departments.
• Coordinating with PICs and department leaders.
• Communicating important incidents and information to the Store Director.

I need someone who can confidently say, "I've got it," when the Director isn't there.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• College coursework, degree, or other education in Business, Retail Management, Hospitality, or a related field is a plus but not required.
• Equivalent experience in retail, grocery, customer service, leadership, or management may be considered in place of formal education.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Previous retail, grocery, supervisory, or management experience.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate employees.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
• Ability to learn all aspects of store operations.
• Ability to use POS systems and handle cash appropriately.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Full availability for day, evening, and night shifts.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays.

Preferred

• Grocery store experience.
• Experience with employee scheduling.
• Experience with payroll and timekeeping.
• Experience with inventory management.
• Experience with merchandising.
• Experience with recruiting and interviewing.
• Experience with employee training and development.
• Experience with retail math, sales analysis, or budgeting.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are looking for someone who is:

• Customer-service driven.
• Dependable and accountable.
• Positive and encouraging.
• A strong communicator.
• Organized and able to prioritize.
• Comfortable giving employees direction.
• Comfortable making decisions.
• Willing to work alongside the team—not simply supervise from the office.
• Comfortable handling difficult customer or employee situations.
• Able to remain calm during busy or stressful situations.
• Interested in developing employees and building a strong team.
• Willing to learn every aspect of the store.
• Flexible and willing to step into whatever area needs help.
• Someone who takes pride in their work and in the store.

Someone who sees the whole store—not just their department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is a hands-on retail position and requires the ability to perform the physical duties necessary to operate a busy grocery store.

The Assistant Store Manager must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Frequently bend, stoop, crouch, squat, and reach.
• Frequently use hands for grasping, handling, and repetitive movements.
• Reach from knee level to shoulder level and occasionally overhead.
• Lift and carry merchandise and supplies.
• Push and pull carts, equipment, and merchandise.
• Assist with stocking shelves and displays.
• Use a step stool when necessary and when trained to do so.
• Move throughout the store and between departments during a shift.
• Work in areas with varying temperatures, including refrigerated and freezer areas when necessary.
• Perform other physical duties reasonably associated with grocery store operations.

Ability to lift up to 35 pounds regularly and heavier items occasionally with assistance or appropriate equipment may be required based on store needs.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Assistant Store Manager works in a busy grocery and retail environment with frequent interaction with customers and employees.

The position may involve:

• Extended periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent customer interaction.
• Working around carts, stocking equipment, and merchandise.
• Exposure to refrigerated and varying temperatures.
• Occasional exposure to cleaning products and other store chemicals.
• Working during busy periods and high customer traffic.
• Working both independently and as part of a team.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Hourly Pay: $22.00 – $35.00 per hour Pay is based on experience and qualifications.

Career Growth

• Clear pathways for advancement to Store Director/Store Manager and corporate leadership roles.
• Opportunities to grow your leadership skills and take on additional responsibilities.

Paid Time Off

• Accrued vacation time and PTO.

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

Financial Security

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.

Employee Perks

* Employee merchandise discount.

WHY HOOD CANAL MARKET FRESH?

We are an independently operated store that is proud to serve our community and the people who visit the Hood Canal area.

I believe our employees are a big part of what makes our store special. We want people who care about their work, care about our customers, and care about the team around them.

Lead by example, help each other, take ownership, and treat people with respect.

If you're looking for a leadership position where you can make a difference, develop a team, learn every part of the business, and be part of a store that truly values customer service, we'd love to meet you.

JOIN OUR TEAM

If you're looking for more than a job and want an opportunity to lead, grow, develop a team, and make a real difference in a community-focused store

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your resume to Mollie @:
[email protected]

Please include your resume and relevant leadership or retail experience.

Join the Hood Canal Market Fresh team.

Pay: $22.00 - $30.46 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 – 44.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person