About us

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 150 locations across 17 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

How we reward you

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%

Healthcare plans to support your needs

Virtual doctor visits

Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program

15% Associate Discount

Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

Company paid YMCA Family Membership

What You’ll do

The Store Manager is responsible for creating and executing a business plan to achieve the store’s performance goals which includes achieving sales budget, building market share, and driving omnichannel sales. The Store Manager integrates and strategically drives sales via online, print advertising, social media, mobile apps and in-store engagement. This position builds revenue by equipping the store’s team of associates in product knowledge, understanding of the day-to-day store operations, sales, safety & loss prevention, store appearance, customer service, and merchandising. This position requires strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and supervise associates.

• Enhance the customer experience and drive sales by creating, planning, developing, and implementing an online and community presence through creative social media posts, store events, vendor and associate presentations, and customer trainings
• Analyze online and physical store results, identify opportunities and make decisions in collaboration with others to drive sales and successful initiatives for the store
• Seek knowledge of new skills, local competitor practices, and retail trends applying learnings to your store’s online and physical experience
• Manage and grow BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) sales with associates and customers
• Through collaboration with the District Manager and store associates, analyze operational processes, customer trends, and business results to determine appropriate actions necessary to achieve business objectives
• Teach and coach behaviors to management team and associates which enables a high performing team to consistently deliver a best-in-class customer experience
• Possess the autonomy, independent judgment, and discretion in leading the team to achieve or exceed the goals and strategies of the store
• Create and ensure quality execution of development plans, building associate’s capabilities, measured by success of the overall store operations in conjunction with customer and associate feedback
• Build confidence and create an optimistic, rewarding and collaborative work environment in which associates are encouraged to grow to support succession and talent pipeline goals
• Present information to District Manager and Store Support to inform and educate about the business, operational efficiencies, product sell through, and customer feedback
• Acts as a trusted leader with thorough understanding of the impact of initiatives on customer experience, workload, productivity, associate engagement, and store compliance
• Uphold the commitments to the company’s processes and policies, values, and mission
• Lead your associates in a way that exemplifies the leadership principles taught in Thrive and reinforce Thrive skills with managers who report to you
• Manage store budget for daily operations and initiatives to achieve business objectives tied to the P&L
• Drive an outstanding associate experience via the hiring, onboarding, performance feedback, and ongoing development
• Hold team accountable for overall performance and act to decrease losses, minimize shrink and all forms of risk ensuring store compliance standards are met
• Ensure attractive, safe, and accurately priced merchandise displays
• Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the building and grounds
• Responsible for effectiveness of technology to ensure a seamless customer experience across all channels
• Demonstrate effective and consistent communications and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate effective problem-solving and analytical skills
• Maximize inventory, cash control, and loss prevention techniques
• May be required to cross train and perform other duties

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and direct the assistant managers, department managers, and store associates
• Has authority into the job status of associates: hiring, firing, promotions, and assignments

 Essential Qualities for Success

• 2+ years retail management experience
• Be an outgoing self-starter who enjoys working with people
• Computer knowledge in Excel and Word
• Proficient user of computer software systems
• Ability to interact with the team in a fast-paced environment, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate, analyze, observe, make decisions, and meet deadlines in a detail-oriented manner
• Ability to work independently without supervision
• Ability to work a 50-hour workweek (10-hour shifts, 5 days per week) with varied hours, days, night, and weekends as business dictates
• Must meet federal requirements to qualify to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and any applicable local requirements
• Ability to access and use the in-store computer, scanning system, and wireless handheld unit
• Ability to participate in our online applicant and new hire onboarding process remotely
• Ability to complete computer-based training
• Use general office equipment such as computer, telephone, copy machine, fax machine, calculator
• Ability to operate retail scanner, forklift, pallet jack, ladder, and other retail equipment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Good visual acuity
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull a minimum of 30 pounds repetitively and 31-50 pounds intermittently
• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time
• Ability to use a ladder and/or pallet jack
• Close vision for computer work
• Repetitive wrist movements on keyboard
• Ability to walk up and down stairs multiple times per day
• Ability to verbally communicate effectively and professionally with all audiences (in-person or via handheld transceiver)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.