Assistant Store Manager
Company : Natural Grocers
Location : Ruidoso, NM
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 1 January 2026
Salary Range
USD $59,000.00/Yr. -Overview
The Job in a Nutshell:
The Assistant Store Manager is the second person in charge of the store and is responsible for the successful operation and profitability of the store which includes training, directing and monitoring all department staff.
If selected for this Store Leadership role, Natural Grocers provides training in Golden, CO. This required training lasts 5 weeks consecutively. Natural Grocers will provide airfare, hotel, per diem, and transportation while in CO.
Natural Grocers is excited to come to the Ruidoso community.
Our Grand Opening date is scheduled for February 2025 but is subject to change.
We look forward to reviewing your application!
Applications are accepted by the date below, which may be updated if the hiring timeline is extended.
12/03/2025
Responsibilities
Main Ingredients:
Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be “hands on” and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.
Qualifications
Recipe for Success:
This job description is not an employment contract. It does not guarantee a job or that the above listed duties are the limit of responsibilities. The job and job description are subject to change with and without notice. Employees are required to accomplish any and all tasks assigned to him/her by their Manager and/or other Store Support Center manager that might not be listed in this job description.
Here’s an overview of the benefits we offer our good4u Crew to help ensure the health and wellbeing of you and your family, now and well into the future:
All Crew Members
- Birthday Bonus Pay
- Vitamin Bucks (up to $2,080 earned as store credit annually)
- Holiday Pay for 5 Holidays – Stores Closed
- Paid Time Off (sick days and vacation) that Increases with Tenure
- Paid Nutrition Education
- good4u Crew Member Discount
- {N}power Program (customer appreciation and rewards program)
- Regular, Scheduled Pay Increases
- Advancement Opportunities and Career Development
- Health and Wellness Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Referral Program
Full-Time Crew Members (30+ hours/week)
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Medical Leave (through company paid short-term disability insurance)
- Company Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits Including Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Term Life Insurance
- Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with discretionary Company Match
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with Company Match
Diversity Statement
At the heart of Natural Grocers' commitment to our community and crew is this belief: All people should be empowered to experience health and wellbeing! We cannot be true to this conviction without honoring diversity and cultivating inclusion throughout every aspect of our organization.
At Natural Grocers, we honor our differences, embrace diversity, and cultivate inclusion because both individual and societal health are rooted in these principles. Our Crew is diverse not only in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, abilities, and age but also in cultural backgrounds, thoughts, and ideas. Celebrating our diversity refreshes, expands, and shapes our perspective, energizing our mission of equitable access to health and wellness for all. We welcome everyone who would like to join us in this mission, with gratitude for the unique life experience each person brings to the table. We’re committed to nurturing an ecosystem of diversity and inclusion in which our Crew can continue to thrive.
Physical Capabilities and Environmental Demands:
N = Never
O = Occasional; 1-33% of time
F = Frequent; 34-66% of time
C = Constant; 67-100% of time
Physical Requirements:
- Must have the ability to constantly lift or carry up to 10 lbs., frequently lift or carry 11-20 lbs., and occasionally lift or carry 21-50 lbs. Must also have the ability to occasionally lift or carry 51-100 lbs. with a team lift.
- Must have the ability to frequently push or pull up to 15 lbs. and occasionally push or pull 16-100 lbs.
- Must be able to occasionally use the computer for data entry and use of mouse.
- Must be able to constantly walk, stand, use fine motor manipulations, grip, bend, twist, turn, and reach outward for the duration of the work shift.
- Must be able to frequently to reach above chest.
- Must be able to occasionally sit, squat, kneel, and climb as needed.
Environmental Requirements:
- Must be able to frequently work with sharp tools and equipment, dust, fumes, and congested worksite.
- Must be able to occasionally work with noise, cold, heat, wet, humid, outside, heights, and contact stress.
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Frequently asked questions
At Natural Grocers, the assistant store manager role integrates hands-on customer engagement with detailed inventory management. This involves ensuring products are well-stocked and fresh while coaching staff to deliver exceptional service, fostering a seamless shopping experience that supports store profitability and community trust in Ruidoso.
Effective leadership in this role requires strong communication skills, the ability to motivate and train diverse teams, and decisiveness in managing daily store operations. Emphasizing collaboration and maintaining compliance with food safety standards are crucial to sustaining store success and employee growth.
Yes, candidates typically need to secure food safety certifications compliant with New Mexico state regulations. Additionally, forklift certification and proficiency in Microsoft Office tools are valuable, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to local safety standards.
Ruidoso's smaller market often emphasizes community engagement and multi-role flexibility, while larger cities may offer more specialized positions with higher competition. Salary ranges might vary, but Ruidoso positions often provide a close-knit work environment and unique growth opportunities.
With an offered salary around $59,000 annually, Natural Grocers presents a competitive compensation aligned with regional grocery management roles. This figure reflects the responsibilities of driving store profitability and staff leadership within the Ruidoso retail landscape.
While both roles involve staff oversight, an assistant store manager typically holds broader responsibilities including financial performance, vendor relations, and strategic staffing. Assistant store supervisors may focus more directly on daily team management and operational task execution.
Natural Grocers invests in comprehensive training programs, including a mandatory five-week training in Golden, CO, and offers advancement pathways tied to performance. Their emphasis on nutrition education and leadership development underscores commitment to employee career progression.
Launching a new store entails establishing community rapport, managing staffing from the ground up, and adapting to local consumer preferences. The assistant manager must balance operational setup with maintaining high service standards amid evolving store dynamics.
Natural Grocers' focus on health, diversity, and inclusion shapes the assistant manager’s leadership style, encouraging supportive team environments and community-centered service. This cultural alignment enhances motivation to meet both business goals and wellness missions.
Natural Grocers offers unique perks such as vitamin bucks store credit, paid nutrition education, and scheduled pay increases, reflecting its wellness-oriented brand. These benefits, alongside standard medical and retirement plans, create a supportive package tailored to health-conscious retail professionals.