Natural Grocers kicks off hiring drive, raises wages

Natural Grocers has launched a nationwide hiring push to fill almost 500 positions.

The Lakewood, Colo.-based natural and organic grocer said yesterday that “hot spot” hiring locations include Dallas, Denver, the Kansas City area and Portland, Ore. A virtual job fair is scheduled for the Kansas City market on July 20.

In announcing the jobs campaign, Natural Grocers said it also has lifted wages for selected positions at all locations to attract prospective employees to its stores. Overall, the chain has 4,000 employees and 162 stores in 20 states.

“We offer unique benefits and fun perks that attract, engage, develop and retain our wonderful workforce,” Erin DeLacy, talent acquisition strategist at Natural Grocers, said in a statement. “We’ve also recently increased our store manager and assistant store manager pay and [that of] most department assistants/managers.”

Natural Foods noted that it provides workers with above-average pay and benefits. The retailer said its pay tops federal and state minimum wage levels for all employees and includes regular annual pay increases, as well as no pay caps for store staff who want to stay in their current positions. All full-time employees are eligible for a competitive benefits package, the company said.

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Associates also get exclusive savings. Natural Grocers offers “good4u employee” discounts throughout the store, with up to 30% off in certain departments, along with a $1-per-hour store credit dubbed “Vitamin Bucks” designed to promote additional food security.

Other employee benefits include the following:

• Monthly free nutrition education and other opportunities to learn and earn rewards.

• Via Health & Wellness Corners, employees have had daily access to free immune and stress-busting supplements since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Heroes in Aprons Fund provides short-term financial assistance to qualifying employees or their immediate family members who experience hardships.

• Birthday Pay is given whether the employee chooses to work or take the time off.

Natural Grocers said it also offers a Store Manager Accelerated Readiness Training Program to high-potential candidates who aspire to a store manager position. The retailer, too, conducts four weeks of in-person operational and managerial training for new store managers and assistant store managers.

“We may have more stores than anyone could've foreseen back in 1955, but 67 years later Natural Grocers is still a family-run company and runs itself as such,” DeLacey added. “Offering our crew competitive pay, benefits and growth opportunities creates an atmosphere of well-being, optimism and knowledge — all the things that helps people thrive.”

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