Kroger Seeking to Fill 20,000 Openings in Online Job Fair

Kroger Co., which turned to a tech-enabled partner to rapidly recruit and onboard 10,000 new workers over the summer, is doubling down for the holidays.

Amid a rush to secure workers for the holiday season, the Cincinnati-based retailer said it would seek another 20,000 associates in an online job fair scheduled for Oct. 13. The company said it was seeking talent for retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, supply chain, merchandising, logistics, corporate, and pharmacy/healthcare roles nationwide.

“The Kroger Family of Companies is eager to welcome 20,000 associates to our organization as we prepare for an incredible holiday season where customers are planning to return to larger family gatherings and celebrations,” Tim Massa, Kroger’s senior vice president and chief people officer,said in a release. “It’s an exciting time to work in grocery retail, and as one of the leading retailers and employers in America, we’re committed to offering associates a culture of opportunity and career with purpose, competitive pay and benefits, and flexible schedules. We truly want our associates to have a rewarding and uplifting experience while meeting our customers’ needs and delivering on our promise to be in-stock, fresh, and friendly.”

As it had in June, Kroger is directing many potential job-seekers to an online recruiting site where a live chat feature can help answer questions, conduct interviews, and directs candidates to the appropriate contacts at Kroger. The app, operated by Brazen, is designed to enable a faster and more efficient recruitment process.

Job seekers are directed to a site where they can chat live with recruiters

Kroger has separately teamed with online training tools from Axonify, with an eye toward bringing similar speed and efficiency to skill training for new hires and existing workers.

Several peers of Kroger have announced similar mass-hiring efforts in recent weeks including Publix, Target and Walmart. Their efforts come as their retail stores strain under heavy demand and a dearth of available hourly help. Some stores have moved to close early; others are limiting service department hours, sources say.

Kroger is emphasizing pay—an average of over $16 per hour—and benefits including tuition assistance, wellness benefits and other perks and discounts for employees including an instant-pay option and discounts on groceries, electronics, streaming services, travel, and more.

“We know that a career looks different for everyone, so we strive to provide the tools and support associates need to create their own path to success. No matter where your journey begins, we have fresh opportunities for everyone,” added Massa.