DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Champions Company and Division customer service programs to meet or exceed Division customer service goals. Handles customer relations in a positive manner, including effective resolution of customer complaints. Promotes Albertson's philosophy of personalized service in each department. Responsible for total store operations in the absence of the Store Director (see Store Director job description). Primary duty is assisting the Store Director in management of overall store operations. In that regard, plans, organizes and directs day-to-day operations of the Grocery and Drug (GM) departments. Conducts daily inspections of all Grocery and Drug sections and initiates proactive and corrective measures to ensure compliance with product quality and labeling standards, product rotation procedures, in stock conditions, code date standards, sanitation, safety and security requirements. Assists the Store Director in implementing Company and Division merchandising, operating and sales initiatives. Directs the Grocery and Drug department's merchandising and sales initiatives. Assists the Store Director in communicating Company goals, objectives, policies, practices and procedures to department managers and associates and ensures compliance with them. Assists the Store Director in ensuring that the company's and division's safety and health initiatives are implemented and communicated to associates. Emphasizes safety and health code compliance in all work practices. Assists the Store Director in maintaining good store conditions. Assists the Store Director in conducting daily inspections of store conditions and coaching associates while doing so. Helps ensure compliance with Division scheduling initiatives. Assists the Store Director in reviewing and approving all department schedules in advance of posting to ensure appropriate staffing and adequate coverage. Shares responsibility for ensuring compliance with established policies, wage and payroll guidelines, Time Clock Policy, benefit plans, grooming and dress code standards, and child labor and other employment laws. Helps direct and participate in the training and hiring of store personnel. Clearly and accurately provides guidance and instruction to department managers, supervisors and associates. Assists the Store Director in monitoring associate job performance and makes effective recommendations regarding personnel decisions such as hiring, firing, layoff, promotion, demotion, and disciplinary action, including completing necessary paperwork. Assist the Store Director in conducting formal associate evaluations as necessary per Division guidelines. Helps identify training needs of key associates for future development and ensures completion of such training. Builds and maintains positive associate morale. Resolves associate complaints where appropriate and promptly reports action taken to the Store Director. Immediately reports any potential serious policy violations, for matters including but not limited to working off the clock, harassment, food safety and sanitation, discrimination etc. to the Store Director. Assists the Store Director in appropriately resolving associate complaints, including complaints of discrimination, harassment, working off the clock and violations of the law, with guidance and support from the Human Resources and/or Associate Relations Departments. Assists the Store Director with overseeing and ensuring compliance with proper cash handling procedures, proper accounting of sales and safe procedures. Controls shrink. Maintains and controls inventory levels in the backroom areas and on the sales floor per Division directives. Safeguards Company assets. Helps the Store Director in developing operating budgets and in controlling all in-store operating, maintenance, expense and supply costs. Follows proper administrative procedures and completes, or oversees the completion of, all required reports. Shares responsibility for accurate inventory of all merchandise, supplies and equipment. Recommends to the Store Director expenditures for improvement or repair of store equipment and building. Assists in properly conducting or overseeing inventories and independent audits. Implements emergency procedures in the event of natural disasters, emergencies, or equipment and computer software malfunctions. Helps create and maintain positive community relations. Develops, promotes and maintains positive communication channels with manufacturer's representatives, Store, Division and Corporate personnel, and unions, where applicable. Monitors market conditions, trends and competitors' activities. Safely operates and handles all equipment and hazardous material. Provides suggestions, feedback and effective recommendations to the Store Director and management teams on operational, personnel and other issues. Maintains and safeguards confidentiality concerning associates, store sales, and Company information. Maintains accurate and complete records, consistent with the law and records retention policies. Responsible for performing all job duties with honesty and integrity and in compliance with Company policies and procedures.