Retailer says its workforce grew by 9,000 in 2015

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. said it will hold open interviews in its stores on Saturday, May 14, to fill an estimated 14,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions.

“We have openings across the country for friendly, hard-working associates to join our team,” Tim Massa, Kroger’s group vice president of human resources and labor relations, said in a statement. “We are looking for people who are passionate about making a difference for customers and communities —and want to do it in a fun, team environment with great benefits and advancement opportunities.”

The supermarket company said it has created more than 74,000 new jobs over the past eight years, not including temporary construction jobs and other employment resulting from its capital investments. Kroger’s total active workforce grew by more than 9,000 during 2015, according to the company, which said that more than 90% of those jobs are in the company’s supermarket divisions, and range from full-time department heads and assistant store managers to part-time courtesy clerks and cashiers. The company said it hired more than 7,000 veterans in 2015, and has hired more than 35,000 veterans since 2009.