Kroger Plans Open Interviews for Veterans
The Kroger Co. will hold open interviews nationwide on Sept. 15, for all veterans and their family members, as part of the Cincinnati-based grocer's plans to fill an estimated 20,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions.
Kroger hired more than 6,000 veterans in 2014, and has hired more than 29,000 veterans since 2009 as part of its commitment to active duty troops and the nation's 23 million veterans through "Honoring Our Heroes," a multi-faceted program the company designed to show its deep gratitude.
Kroger Committed to Veterans
In addition, Kroger has helped the "100,000 Jobs Mission" surpass its original goal in January 2014, seven years early. The 100,000 Jobs Mission is a coalition of more than 130 companies with the common goal of hiring more than 100,000 transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020.
"Kroger is deeply committed to the nation's veterans and their families, and we continue to seek out opportunities to honor heroes through career opportunities," said Tim Massa, Kroger's group VP of human resources and labor relations. "Kroger is a place where you can come for a job and stay for a career," he said, noting that about 70 percent of Kroger's store managers started as part-time clerks.
"Kroger is a company that veterans can be proud to work for because of its robust involvement in our local communities," said Clifton Thomas, Kroger's category strategy manager for corporate brands and a Marine Corps veteran. "It has given me the opportunity to be part of a team and connect to something bigger."
Through the Honoring Our Heroes program, Kroger stores have raised more than $11.9 million since 2010 to help support USO programs, which represents the largest cumulative gift to the USO in its nearly 75-year history.
Kroger employs nearly 400,000 associates at 2,626 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.