Emurse

Most grocery store jobs are entry-level and can be learned in a short time. Employers generally prefer high school graduates for occupations such as cashier, stock clerk and order filler, or food preparation workers. In large supermarket chains, prospective employees are matched with available jobs, hours, and locations and are usually trained onsite. Cashiers are often trained in a few days, and many larger retailers offer formal web-based and computer-based classroom training to familiarize workers with company guidelines and the equipment with which they will work. Cashiers may require slightly more in-house training in order to supervise and oversee the smooth operation of multiple self-checkout stations. Meatcutters and bakers can attend training courses provided by trade schools and industry associations, but they can also learn the necessary skills on the job.

College graduates will fill most new management positions. Employers increasingly seek graduates of college and university, junior and community college, and technical institute programs in food marketing, food management, and supermarket management. Many supermarket chains place graduates of these programs, or of bachelor's or master's degree programs in business administration, in various professional positions or management training programs in areas, such as logistics, supply chain, marketing, replenishment, food safety, human resources, and strategic planning. Management trainees start as assistant or department managers and, depending on experience and performance, may advance to positions of greater responsibility. It is not unusual for managers to supervise a large number of employees early in their careers.

Courtesy clerks or baggers sometimes advance to work as delicatessen service clerks, stock clerks, order fillers, or perhaps cashiers. Sometimes, workers rotate assignments in a supermarket; for example, a stock clerk might occasionally weigh and give out delicatessen meats. Union contracts, however, often have strict occupational definitions in some stores, making movement among departments difficult.

Grocery store management has become increasingly complex and technical. Managers of some large supermarkets are responsible for millions of dollars in yearly revenue and for hundreds of employees. They use sophisticated software to manage budgets, schedule work, track and order products, price goods, control inventory, manage shelf space, and assess product profitability. Entry-level workers may advance to management positions, depending on experience and performance. Stores that promote from within have established tracks by which workers move from department to department, gaining broad experience, until they are considered ready for an entry-level management position. Opportunities for advancement to management jobs exist in both large supermarket chains and in small, independent grocery stores.

Grocery store jobs call for various personal attributes. Almost all workers must be in good physical condition. Because managers, cashiers, stock clerks and order fillers, and other workers on the sales floor constantly deal with the public, a neat appearance and a pleasant, businesslike manner are important. Cashiers and stock clerks and order fillers must be able to do repetitious work swiftly and accurately. Cashiers need basic arithmetic skills, good hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity. Stock clerks and order fillers, especially, must be in good physical condition because of the lifting, crouching, and climbing that they do. For managers, good communication skills as well as the ability to solve problems quickly and to perform well under pressure are important. In addition, personal qualities such as initiative, attention to detail, and leadership ability are essential for managers.