Working for Kroger: Employment, Careers, and Jobs

By | October 3, 2023
Working for Kroger
Kroger Company: The Company is a leading grocery retailer in the U.S. Image source: nytimes.com.

Are you thinking of working for Kroger and need some information about jobs, employments, and career at the Company?

If you are, then this post will be useful to you as you will learn a whole lot about the company, including student internship program and benefits for working at Kroger.

Read on:

Kroger: Company Overview

Kroger is a company that poses as the United States first leading grocery retailer. It operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, multi-department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores, in 24 states across the country.

Kroger combines food and drug stores to offer natural food and organic sections, general merchandise, pharmacies, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce.

Multi-department stores provide general merchandise items, such as apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, toys, and fine jewelry; while price impact warehouse stores offer grocery, meat, dairy, baked goods, and fresh produce items, as well as health and beauty care items.

Kroger operates 37 food processing facilities that produce dairy products, deli items, bakery goods, and other grocery products.

Why Work for Kroger

Kroger is a great place to start a career, because of the opportunities the job offers to teach you quality skills such as people skills and customer service skills. You will be able to connect with people and learn how to enjoy fast-paced work while working at Kroger.

While the company’s management is nice, the job schedules are flexible. The store managers will allow you to make any changes in your department, as long as those changes are required and are good for the department and store.

The interview procedures consume less time; the online application takes about one week to complete, while the interview question centers on customer service, communication and patient care.

In the Richmond area, at store number 513 in shop pump, everybody is treated fairly and given every chance to work their way up in the company. The store managers would always offer the amount of support you require.

The department managers and their staff of workers always work as a team to provide the best customer service.

The supervisors and store managers always keep workers informed, coupled with the company’s policy of mutual fair treatment among workers.

At Kroger, you need to do your job right and not expect any kind of special treatment. During career development, the company will help you to advance in your career.

The management of Kroger pays employees a fair wage, and if you aspire to move to a higher position in the company, the opportunity is there for you.

Your job at Kroger is secured as long as you follow company rules and offer your job as successfully as anticipated.

There is no racism at Kroger; you got a chance to do the job you specialize in. You also got an opportunity to improve on the in-store training.

Enjoy 95 percent of fair treatment at Kroger, even during sick moments. You will get quality support from the management, work on a team and work freely around the company.

Also at Kroger, there are internal communication, attitude towards older colleagues, gender equality, and overall compensation for your work.

Careers and Jobs at Kroger

There are diverse career fields to explore at Kroger because of the various career functions the company’s business covers. These include corporate Jobs, hourly jobs, ecommerce & clicklist jobs, manufacturing jobs, pharmacy jobs, store management jobs, supply chain jobs, technology jobs, and lots more.

The CTP Program will prepare candidates for first level leadership positions as soon as they have successfully completed the program for a period of 12 to 24 month.

Kroger’s Career Training Program (CPT) is an entry level professional opportunity for recent college graduates.

The CTP Program is designed to prepare candidates for first level leadership positions upon successful completion of the 12 to 24 month program.

The program builds technical and leadership competencies in the selected area of expertise, while gaining a wide knowledge base of all core business functions crucial to the manufacture of Kroger products.

Kroger’s Essential Job Functions

These include initiation of active development through interactions with team members, mentors, Corporate and Plant sponsors; demonstration of excellence in project planning, execution, and timing through project evaluation and use of available resources to expedite project completion; participation in the multi-faceted orientation process; demonstration of commitment in the plant safety process; contribution and participation in practical, challenging and meaningful assignments; following established programs, policies and practices to produce safe quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements; support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of the SQF Systems; accountability to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles; and ability to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Desired Previous Job Experience/Education:

  • Graduate degree in discipline related field
  • Experience in manufacturing environment
  • Experience in union environment

Education Level: Bachelor’s Required
Required Certifications/Licenses: None
Position Type: Full-Time
Shift(s): Day
Desired Previous Job Experience/Education

If you desire to secure a position at Kroger, you need to have experience of the position you are pursuing, and required educational qualifications.

Desired previous job experience and education qualifications are as follows:

  • Graduate degree in discipline related field
  • Experience in manufacturing environment
  • Experience in union environment

Some of the roles you’ll find at Kroger include:

Clerk

These are employees who work in different departments to serve customers better. They are also called sales associates, and workers can be assigned to the bakery, dairy, deli, grocery, or produce departments to help patrons find items and answer questions.

Clerks can make up to $9.00 hourly.

Bagger

These are courtesy clerks who bag groceries and take them out to customer vehicles. Baggers are encouraged to be prompt, cheerful, and able to perform basic manual labor.

Other tasks baggers can perform include cleaning, retrieving carts, and returning items to shelves. Newly employed courtesy clerks at Kroger start earning at minimum hourly wage.

Cashier

Cashiers operate computerized cash registers, take payments and answer customer questions. Cashiers at Kroger work varied shifts and typically earn around $8.00 per hour. They are expected to be kind, courteous, and patient individuals.

Manager

Kroger managers perform specific job duties of setting work schedules, ensuring customer satisfaction, and hiring and training new employees.

Pay rates for floor supervisors are around $9.00 to $10.00 per hour. Assistant managers generally start off making $17.00 an hour while store managers earn around $60,000 per year.

Training and Development Programs at Kroger

Kroger has a lot of training and development programs that any person can enroll in. These programs have many benefits for the participants.

You can check out these superb training and development programs at Kroger. These include:

Management Training Program: You need to have previous job experience, supervisory responsibilities, retail experience, financial responsibility including budget preparation and management, bachelor, before applying for this program.

Leadership and Development Program – Management Trainee

Store Management Trainee:

Kroger Stores – Novi, MI 3.6

The MICH Store Management involves financial responsibility including budget preparation and management.

The estimated salary for this training and development program stands for $55,000 – $77,000 a year.

Management Trainee:

Kroger Stores – Moundsville, WV +20 locations 3.6

Prior to enrollment on this program, applicants need to have successfully completed the applicable Division Management Training Program.

The estimated rate includes $60,000 – $82,000 a year.

Knoxville Area Management Trainee:

Kroger Stores – Farragut, TN 3.6

This Kroger training and development program requires retail store/assistant management experience, and previous financial responsibility including budget preparation and management.

The estimated salary for this program stands for $32,000 – $43,000 a year.

Store Management Trainee:

Jay C Stores – North Vernon, IN +3 locations 3

Seeking careers with the Kroger Company at JAY C Stores requires previous budget preparation experience, retail management experience, business skills, leadership and more.

The estimated salary for this program stands for $38,000 – $55,000 a year.

Greater Nashville Area Management Trainee:

Kroger Stores – Nashville, TN 3.6

This section of Kroger training and development program requires retail store/assistant management experience, previous financial responsibility including budget preparation experience, etc.

The estimated salary for this program is $32,000 – $45,000 a year.

Store Manager Trainee in Princeton, KY:

Ruler Foods – Princeton, KY 3.6

This development program is about JAYC Store Management. Previous budget preparation experience and retail management experience are required.

$40,000 – $54,000 is the estimated salary in a year.

FT Shift Manager/Entry Level Management Position:

Ruler Foods – Mayfield, KY +3 locations 3.6

Store Manager Trainees complete a comprehensive 12-week training program as their Ruler journey.

The estimated salary is $51,000 – $67,000 a year.

Store Manager in Training:

Ruler Foods – Merrillville, IN +2 locations 3.6

Store Manager in Training Trainees undergoes a 12-week comprehensive Training Program and Outline in which you will learn the fundamentals of essential components.

$50,000 a year is the estimated salary for this training and development program.

Store Manager in Training Mitchell/Salem IN Area:

Ruler Foods – Mitchell, IN 3.6

Store Manager in Training Trainees undergoes a 12-week comprehensive Training Program and Outline in which you will learn the fundamentals of essential components such as:

  • Business Skills
  • Leadership and Management Skills
  • Store Department Skills
  • Human Resources Skills
  • Store Systems Skills.

$50,000 is the amount dispensed to trainees per year.

Store Manager in Training Ohio Area Stores:

Ruler Foods – Van Wert, OH 3.6

Store Manager Trainees begin their Ruler journey by completing a comprehensive 12 week training program on Store Management in Training Position with Ruler Foods.

$37,000 – $48,000 is the estimated yearly salary for this training program.

Store Manager in Training Position Frankfort/Logansport, IN Area Stores

Ruler Foods – Frankfort, IN 3.6:

Store Manager in Training Trainees undergoes a 12 week comprehensive Training Program and Outline in which you will learn the essential components.

The estimated salary for this program is $50,000 a year.

Store Manager in Training Ohio Stores:

Ruler Foods – Lima, OH 3.6

Store Manager Trainees begin their Ruler journey by completing a comprehensive 12-week training program on Store Management in Training Position with Ruler Foods.

Estimated salary for this training program stands for $34,000 – $48,000 a year.

Student Internship Program and Recruitment Process at Kroger

At Kroger, there are internship opportunities available at the company’s corporate headquarters, local stores and distribution centers.

The duration of logistics and supply chain internships is 12 weeks all through the summer. Students receive training in distribution, learn more about the company’s operations and develop leadership skills, when they work at a distribution center.

Interns have the opportunity to use the ten week in-store internships to become familiar with every area of the store while developing a special project and learning more about the overall store operations.

At headquarters, those interested in a summer internship can spend ten weeks developing corporate strategies and taking advantage of valuable networking opportunities.

List of Internship Programs at Kroger

Here is a list of internship programs available at Kroger:

  • Environmental Compliance Intern – Spring Semester 2019
  • 862 Pharmacist Intern
  • Facility Engineering Spring Intern/Co-op
  • Applications Analyst Internship/Co-Op Summer 2019
  • Cyber Security Engineer Internship/Co-Op- Spring 2019
  • 2019 Cost Management Spring Intern
  • 2019 Cost Management Summer Intern
  • Intern – AutoCAD
  • Aviation Engineer/Maintenance Internship
  • Data Engineer Co-Op/Internship Spring 2019
  • Java Developer Co-Op/Internship Spring 2019
  • 525 Pharmacist Intern
  • Pharmacy Intern
  • 592 Pharmacist Intern
  • Pharmacy Intern
  • Pharmacist- Intern (Student)
  • Pharmacist- Intern (Student)
  • Pharmacist- Intern
  • 596 Pharmacist Intern
  • 526 Pharmacist Intern
  • 518 Pharmacist Intern
  • Pharmacy Intern
  • 558 Pharmacist Intern
  • Intern Pharmacist

Kroger Corporate Culture and Values

Kroger is on a mission to end hunger in the communities and eliminate waste across the company by 2025.

The company cares about associates and customers, and has great insurance, competitive pay, and great people working there.

It’s a great start for anyone looking for a part time job, although some may say that Kroger isn’t the way it used to be. Pay and benefits are good, and most of the people are great. There are lots of opportunities at Kroger awaiting those willing to take on whatever is thrown at them. You will always get your paycheck.

Here are some of the ways that Kroger shows its culture:

Honesty

Kroger does the right thing, and tells the truth. They live their values in all they do, use a unified approach and treat each others with high opinion.

Respect for Others

Kroger shows respect for others by valuing opinions, property and perspectives of others.
Diversity

Kroger reflects a workplace that includes a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures, diversity of opinions and thoughts.

Safety

Kroger Company watches out for others, and is secure and safe in your workplace.

Inclusion

Kroger gives you a sense of belonging by allowing your voice to be heard, working together, encouraging everyone’s involvement, and being the best person you can be.

Job Application – How to Start a Career with Kroger (the Hiring Process)

Getting hired at Kroger is simple, but you have to pass a background check and a drug test. If you use the Company’s website that is user-friendly, applying for positions becomes so easy.

There is a space made for candidates to create profiles, search recently posted positions, and apply by electronic means. There is also an option that allows in-person application as well.

Applicants follow up on the categories of their applications by logging online and choosing the job management tab.

Kroger application takes about one to two weeks to process, in which hiring managers at a store section normally call to fix initial interviews.

Filling out a Kroger job application can only be done online, at home, library or any other place of the applicant’s choice as long as there is access to internet.

The Online Kroger Application Process

To apply online for a position at Kroger Company, visit https://jobs.kroger.com and create an account. Browse through available positions and search by store location. Select retail hourly associate if you’re not sure what position to apply for.

While filling out the Kroger application, you’ll be required to provide certain information such name, address, gender, education, experience and availability.

Employment exam is the next thing you’ll be directed to after the application is done. The exam comprises a series of questions or statements with multiple choice answers. A choice of four answers will be given for each question; these are Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree.

I advice you select “Strongly Agree” or “Strongly Disagree” for each question, because choosing the answers “Agree” or “Disagree” shows the hiring managers that you are indecisive.

However, you show the hiring managers that you’re someone with conviction when you answer the questions with “Strongly Agree” or “Strongly Disagree”.

Be careful because what you show them is what they will see, and believe you are. As soon as you’ve finished the exam, you’re done for the day.

You need to follow up the application by making a phone call to the hiring manager to increase your chances of getting hired. You can call directly after submitting an application or wait one business day.

If you make a call, you should remind the manager of your name and inform them that you’ve submitted an application. Then ask if your application has been received. Notify the manager that you’re available to come anytime for an interview. Sometimes, interview is being held right there without any delay.

The Interview

Attending an interview means you’re very close to landing the job. A lot of those who got hired at Kroger confess that the interview is only a formality.

You should be punctual and friendly at interview. Put on a smile, and provide every piece of information as required. If you’re asked about customer service experience, ensure that you give an example of how you handled a situation with a customer.

You’ll be asked to fill out a background check and take a drug test, if you’re chosen. You will be called in for orientation and training before you’ll finally take over your new office.

Orientation and Training

After you have passed the background check and drug test which may take one week or more to get the test results, you will be invited to attend orientation and training.

The training can last for about two days to one week depending on the position you were hired for alongside two or three other new hires.

On the first day, you’ll be required to watch a video about Kroger that explains Kroger’s history and all the companies Kroger has acquired. Then you will learn about safety rules and policies, and receive the employee handbook, and paperwork that needs filling out.

The second day kicks off with performing of some Web Based Learning (WBL) on a computer, with tests that follow at the end of each lesson. Most people usually pass these tests on the first or second try, despite the fact that if you don’t get a passing grade on any of the tests, you’ll be required to take it again until you receive a passing grade.

For a position like bagger, your orientation may not last more than two days. However, you’re to undergo training for a period of one week with inclusion of more WBL lessons if you were hired for a more complex position. You’ll follow your work schedule for the rest of your time at the company after the end of training.

Kroger Employee Benefits and Compensation

The Kroger Company provides employee retirement plans which help to secure a dependable source of money later in life.

Defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans are provided by the Kroger Company. When employees at the company with defined benefit pension plans reach retirement, they collect a predetermined sum.

Companies help employees with defined contribution pension plan save and invest for retirement.

Workers at Kroger have access to medical insurance, life insurance, and other healthcare coverage. Qualifying Kroger employees also can enroll in 401(k) retirement plans, get adoption benefits, receive tuition assistance, and earn paid vacation, paid time off, and sick leave.

Work/Life Balance at Kroger

At Kroger, your job allows you to have a reliable crew to work with, and to work as many hours as you can. You will learn to get out of your comfort zone, stay comfortably around people, and learn about team work, friendliness, co-operation, how to take and give criticism.

Kroger allows you to have two paid breaks; ten percent Kroger brand discount, one week paid vacation, and lots more.

Management at Kroger’s store is easygoing and easy to talk to if and when there is a problem, because they follow on things immediately and that is very important.

The job at Kroger is easy to do. Even though you have to rush to meet up with the customers’ needs, you’ll still find it easy getting the carts.

Kroger offers a tuition reimbursement for current students, and the hourly rate and schedule can be accommodating.

At Kroger, you can talk and socialize easily with majority of people you come across. And the job is very secure with good opportunities for advancement. There is always a reliable crew to work with in a fast-paced job.

There is always an opportunity to advance within Kroger Company if you desire to do so. You need to be professional at all times and available to work nights, weekends and holidays, and enjoy the benefit of quick advancement.

Consider the work situation at Kroger to be full of fun with helpful co-workers. Though hectic, the job can be a channel towards a successful career.

Kroger offers great first job to people who are out of High School or that are still in school, then other areas to move up and grow your career or to further your education.

Conclusion

You may consider Kroger as a place that will provide great incentives and opportunities to build a successful career. It’s a great company with wonderful and nice people to work with.

This post gives you the information you need to properly access career, jobs, and employment opportunities at Kroger if you have an interest in working there.

Did you find this post helpful in learning about careers and employments issues at Kroger? Kindly leave a comment in the box below. You can also share some experience you’ve had working at Kroger Company if you are or have been an employee of the company.

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