SMART Manager Leadership Trainee

Salary Range

USD $64,000.00/Yr. -

Overview

The SMART Program is a comprehensive and intense training program that offers highly motivated good4u Crew members the opportunity to be trained, mentored, and gain experience in successful store leadership with the goal of becoming a Store Manager through the successful completion of the program.

 

The SMART program is 7 month training program that requires relocation to the Denver area. Once selected for the program, trainees will first attend a four-week training program at the Store Management Training Hub located in Denver and will be required to successfully complete this program first before continuing to the remainder of the SMART program. Trainees will continue their training and development during the next 6 months working as part of the store leadership team at the Colorado and Evans store learning to provide the best-in-class customer experience by ensuring they set Crew up for success, wow our customers, and run a financially successful store. Additionally, trainees will be trained and mentored in leadership the Natural Grocers way, managing a successful Crew experience, and how to become an effective trainer.

 

 

Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.

02/19/2026

Responsibilities

Main Ingredients:

Achieve operational excellence

• Operational Experience: During your training, you will learn the Flow of Operations so that you can successfully manage all store operations so that you may ensure a great customer experience. You will also be trained and expected to train others in the program on store operations so that you gain experience becoming an effective trainer.

 

• Store Management Experience: Throughout your training you will practice store management processes. This includes but is not limited to:

• Conducting Store operations inspections
• Scheduling and labor management
• Controllable cost management
• SAP operations checklist
• Recruiting and hiring
• Training and developing store Crew
• Performance reviews
• Human Resources training
• Facilities management

 

  

Focus on the Customer Experience:

• As a SMART trainee you will develop a strong understanding of the customer experience and will be trained in how to successfully manage within company expectations. This includes:

• Conducting Customer Experience Inspections
• Being a champion of World Class Customer Service and setting and/or resetting the expectations if Crew in store fall short.
• Taking the lead in the planning, promotion and execution of company initiatives and events.
• Coaching/training Crew in all departments on how they can make a positive impact on the customer experience.

 

Leadership and Professionalism:

• Instruction Received:  The SMART Program is where Crew with outstanding leadership potential go to hone their abilities. Experience gained and practiced in the program are:

• Ability to embody all four aspects of CARE. (Communicate, assist, respect, empower)
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Capacity for identifying process breakdowns and implementing solutions.
• Crew development including training, coaching, redirecting and succession planning.
• Crew management and delegation including the ability to lead the Crew to achieve daily, weekly and monthly objectives.

• SMART Trainee leadership expectations: In order to learn how to champion the customer experience and supervise an operationally excellent store, it is essential for you to fully engage with all aspects of this position. This means:

• Investing in your own development by taking initiative to learn or practice processes you are unfamiliar or not comfortable with.
• Establishing yourself as a leader and integrating into the management team.
• Continually work to set others up for success.
• Taking ownership of your training and be the advocate for your own success.
• Developing store morale though a good attitude and positive outlook

 

Getting the Job Done: Full schedule availability is required including evenings and weekends.  Normally 50 hours / week required to complete job tasks.

 

Moving on Up: The SMART Trainee position offers insight and practice in successful store operations and offers opportunities to inspire and lead others. Successful completio