Grocery Department Manager
Defense Commissary Agency
Posted: January 2, 2026 (12 days ago)
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Defense Commissary Agency
Department of Defense
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Salary
$45,785 - $57,995
per year
Type
Full Time
More Management & Supervision jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $30,286 - $39,372
Typical requirements: 1 year general experience. 2 years college or associate degree.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This entry-level trainee position in the Defense Commissary Agency prepares participants for a future role as a Grocery Department Manager through two years of structured training and hands-on rotations in a military grocery store.
It involves learning about store operations, customer service, and team supervision in a retail environment focused on food products.
Ideal candidates are motivated beginners with some retail or administrative experience, or relevant education, who are physically fit and eager to advance in government service.
This is an Upward Mobility Position (UMP) intended to develop employees for placement into the management levels of the Defense Commissary system as an Grocery Department Manager.
The purpose of this position is to provide for the development of the incumbent through a combination of two-year planned training and a variety of rotational work assignments in primarily the Grocery Department of the commissary as outlined in the DeCA UMP guidance.
You must meet qualifications and requirements by the announcement closing date.
Your resume (and/or transcript if necessary) must clearly show that you meet the qualifications (i.e., specialized experience and/or education requirements) for the grade level for which you are applying.
Qualifications Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level that provided an understanding of the basic principles of any of the following: merchandising, market research, sales promotion/advertising, or the accounting, administration, and/or distribution of goods and services.
Such experience may have been gained in store worker, sales, clerical, or related work that demonstrated a familiarity with food retail operations and the ability to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
OR I have completed at least four full years of education above the high school level leading to a bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, agricultural economics (food industry management), or other fields related to the position.
OR I possess a combination of education and experience as described in A and B that when combined, equals 100% of the qualifications.
You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Education used to qualify for this position, in whole or in part, must have equipped you with the knowledge and ability to perform the work of the position, as evidenced by on-the-job-training in food retail management or an internship or practicum in food retail management.
Transcripts are required if relying on education to qualify. See Required Documents for more information.
Physical requirements: (1) Lift, push, pull, carry, and handle commissary products weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted and occasionally over 40 pounds with assistance.
(2) Stand, stoop, kneel, bend, and climb for prolonged periods. You will attest to your ability to perform these physical requirements in the Questionnaire. Time after competitive appointment.
Current federal civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since being selected for a non-temporary appointment from a competitive examination register of eligibles (an announcement opened to the public) or under a direct hire authority.
As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate your possession of these competencies: Commissary Operations Customer Service Merchandising Safety Procedures Supervision Overtime: Occasional Bargaining Unit Status: Not covered Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt Obligated Position: If obligated, you occupying the position is subject to the former incumbent returning.
If the former incumbent does not return to the position, your occupancy may become permanent. Tentative job offers identify if the position you are offered is obligated.
Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives Offered: None Major Duties:
At the GS-05 level, the Grocery Department Manager Trainee functions in a learning mode rather than performing the full range of supervisory responsibilities.
As such, the incumbent will have less accountability in performing supervisory tasks.
In this learning role, the incumbent will participate in a number of supervisory and managerial activities with assistance from his or her supervisor, however the incumbent will have full responsibility for at least two of the supervisory duties listed below.
These supervisory and managerial activities will be designed to enhance the trainee's basic knowledge of supervisory and managerial responsibilities.
Position responsibilities include: Establishing duty schedules Scheduling leave Initiating recruitment actions and providing recommendations regarding selection of subordinates Reviewing work in progress Determining training needs Counseling employees Disciplinary actions and awards Achieving EEO goals Work conditions: Most of the work is performed in the store display area which is well lighted and maintained at a comfortable temperature.
When working in the storage or receiving area, may be exposed to hot or cold weather, or damp and drafty conditions.
May be exposed to differences in temperature when storing or obtaining items from chill or frozen storage rooms.
There is a danger of minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and slipping on wet floors. May, on occasion, be required to operate a manual or electric pallet jack and/or a forklift.
Must be able to wear any and all protective clothing provided.
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