Store Leader

Store Leader
Pekin, Illinois; Bloomington, Illinois
On-Site Role
$83,000 - $120,000

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Client is seeking a Store Leader to oversee daily operations at their retail locations in Pekin and Bloomington, Illinois. The Store Leader is responsible for ensuring exceptional customer experiences by maintaining high standards in shopping convenience, product variety, freshness, cleanliness, food safety, and regulatory compliance. This role involves managing and developing store associates, driving sales and profit goals, implementing merchandising and operational initiatives, and fostering a culture of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The Store Leader will also be accountable for building strong relationships with local community organizations and, where applicable, union officials. The ideal candidate will have at least three years of supervisory retail experience, strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven ability to manage budgets, staffing, and store performance. A high school diploma or GED is required, with a bachelor’s degree and additional retail management experience preferred.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead store teams in planning, implementing, and executing merchandising and operational initiatives to ensure the store is customer-ready every day
• Assess and ensure the store meets or exceeds customer expectations for ease of shopping, variety, freshness, cleanliness, food safety, and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with assistant store leaders, department leaders, and associates to identify opportunities, develop timely solutions, and create action plans for implementation
• Achieve or exceed weekly, period, and annual sales, revenue, and profit budgets, as well as other targeted goals
• Drive cost-effective sales by maximizing profits, reducing shrink, and improving each department’s contribution
• Discuss and manage store-level financial performance, including developing and monitoring budgets (sales, shrink, labor, and other expenses)
• Monitor and respond to the competitive landscape within the district and store
• Demonstrate and promote inclusionary leadership, expecting inclusive behavior from associates and supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Utilize field merchandising teams to achieve financial goals and ensure communication, implementation, and execution of division marketing plans
• Foster and support strong relationships with local community organizations served by the store
• Build and maintain proactive and productive relationships with union officials, if the store is covered by a collective bargaining agreement
• Communicate all necessary information to store associates to enable them to effectively carry out their duties
• Oversee and manage store staffing, retention, and turnover reduction efforts
• Provide timely feedback and coaching to associates on individual and department performance
• Manage labor and supply costs daily to meet customer service and financial targets
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company/division policies
• Maintain up-to-date technical and professional knowledge relevant to the position and keep current with industry trends
• Supervise and coach direct reports, complete performance reviews, and provide feedback
• Ensure associates comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

WHAT YOU BRING

• High School Diploma or GED (required)
• 3+ years of experience and satisfactory performance appraisals as an assistant store leader or in another position at the same pay level or above (required)
• Successful completion of the applicable division’s Leadership Essentials Program (required)
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)
• Experience overseeing financial responsibilities, including budget preparation and management (preferred)
• 3+ years of retail experience (preferred)
• Supervisory experience (preferred)