Full-Time Lead Store Associate

Role overview

This position is a store keyholder role that steps in to open and close the location when store management is unavailable. It helps keep daily store operations running smoothly by directing associates, stockers, and cashiers through opening and closing tasks, maintaining store presentation, and supporting a strong customer experience.

Work schedule and pay

This is a full-time role with an average schedule of 38 hours per week. The starting wage is $19.00 per hour, with planned increases as follows: Year 2 - $19.50, Year 3 - $20.00, Year 4 - $20.00, and Year 5 - $21.00.

Key duties

• Handle employee and customer issues and coordinate with store management when needed.
• Explain duties and performance expectations to store staff when management is not present.
• Support management in putting action plans into place to improve results and staff development.
• Share team updates and concerns with store management promptly and effectively.
• Work smoothly with ALDI employees, customers, vendors, and business partners at all levels.
• Lead, coach, and supervise the team to drive sales, strengthen team engagement, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain high performance.
• Understand the company’s overall strategy and demonstrate its core values.
• Help create a positive, cooperative workplace that encourages teamwork.
• Stock shelves and displays cleanly and according to merchandising planograms.
• Use the POS system correctly to scan and process purchases, and report scanning issues or errors to management.
• Complete curbside pickup orders by gathering items accurately, confirming order details, and delivering them to customers’ vehicles from the staging area on time.
• Carry out opening and closing procedures when management is absent.
• Assign and monitor tasks for associates, cashiers, and stockers when management is absent.
• Support store management in meeting operational efficiency and shrink/loss goals.
• Follow cash handling rules and procedures.
• Resolve staff and customer concerns or escalate them to the store manager when necessary.
• Model, communicate, and monitor compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Ensure expense control, inventory handling, product handling, and cash handling procedures are followed to reduce loss.
• Make sure zone standards and merchandising standards are maintained at all times.
• Ensure employees follow company guidelines, policies, and procedures and interact appropriately with coworkers.
• Support a safe workplace by identifying and correcting unsafe conditions, including ergonomics and equipment issues, before injuries or accidents occur.
• Perform general cleaning duties to company standards.

Physical requirements

• Must be able to push, pull, sit, stand, reach, grasp, twist, bend, and move between areas.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and place up to 45 pounds on shelves at different heights, including overhead.
• Must be able to operate store equipment such as a cash register, electric and manual hand jacks, a floor scrubber, and a cardboard baler.
• Must be able to stock products in different temperature zones, including freezer and cooler areas.
• Must be able to use glass cleaners and multipurpose cleaning products.

Qualifications

• Ability to build trust, rapport, and open communication that improves team performance.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively while guiding store personnel toward results.
• Ability to understand and apply standard operating procedures and company policies to meet goals and stay compliant.
• Ability to handle leadership and administrative responsibilities.
• Ability to deliver prompt, polite customer service.
• Ability to operate store equipment such as registers, floor scrubbers, balers, pallet jacks, handheld devices, and computers.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate clearly in both spoken and written form.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete tasks efficiently.
• Ability to set goals and carry them through successfully.
• Ability to maintain dependable and timely attendance.
• Ability to meet scheduling and availability requirements.

Education and experience

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
• Previous retail experience and prior management experience are preferred.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan.
• Company matching contributions to the 401(k).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• PerkSpot national discount program.
• For full-time employees: medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage.
• For full-time employees: generous vacation time and 7 paid holidays.
• For full-time employees: up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave at 100% pay.
• For full-time employees: up to 2 weeks of paid caregiver leave at 100% pay.
• For full-time employees: short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• For full-time employees: life, dependent life, and AD&D insurance.
• For full-time employees: voluntary term life insurance.
• Full-time benefits generally apply to employees averaging 30 or more hours per week over an annual lookback period.
• Benefits for full-time and part-time employees may vary by state.

Equal opportunity and hiring conditions

ALDI is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants and employees without discrimination based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy and related conditions, or any other protected status. Employment may also depend on an acceptable, job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, where permitted by law.