How To Become a Walmart Store Manager: Step-by-Step Guide

Walmart is one of the largest retailers in the world, and store managers play a vital role in ensuring that each location runs smoothly. If you are interested in a career with Walmart, becoming a store manager is a great option. In this article, we will discuss what a Walmart store manager does, the average salary and how to become one.

What Does a Walmart Store Manager Do?

Walmart store managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their assigned store. This includes supervising a team of associates, overseeing the store’s budget and making sure that customers have a positive shopping experience.

The duties of a Walmart store manager include:

• Hiring, training and supervising associates
• Planning and managing the store’s budget
• Creating work schedules for associates
• Monitoring inventory levels and ordering merchandise as needed
• Ensuring that the store is clean and well-organized
• Resolving customer complaints in a timely and professional manner
• Answering customer questions and providing them with assistance
• Handling customer transactions at the register
• Serving as the point of contact for store vendors
• Monitoring store security

Walmart Store Manager Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for a Walmart store manager is $54,075 per year. However, this figure can vary based on the specific location of the store, as well as the manager’s experience and qualifications.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide an outlook specifically for Walmart store managers. However, they do predict that the employment of retail store managers in general will see little or no change over the next decade.

How to Become a Walmart Store Manager

Here are several steps you should take to become a Walmart store manager.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in business, management or a related field

Walmart store managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in business, management or a related field. Common degrees that Walmart store managers hold include Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Science in Retail Management.

While it is not required for you to have experience working in retail before pursuing a career as a Walmart store manager, having some work experience can help you stand out from other candidates. Consider working part-time jobs in the retail industry while you are in school to gain experience and build your professional network.

2. Gain experience working in retail sales or management

Walmart store managers typically have at least three to five years of experience in retail sales or management. If you are a recent college graduate, consider applying for entry-level positions at Walmart and other retailers to gain experience. Entry-level jobs may include cashier, customer service representative, inventory control clerk, stocker, merchandiser or sales associate.

Working as an assistant manager or supervisor can also provide valuable experience that is needed to become a Walmart store manager. Assistant managers and supervisors often perform similar duties as store managers but with less responsibility. They may be responsible for managing the daily operations of a department within a store rather than managing the entire store.

3. Consider completing a Walmart training program

Walmart offers a training program for new store managers that consists of classroom and on-the-job learning. The training program typically lasts six to 12 months, depending on the needs of the business. During this time, you can learn about topics such as merchandising, inventory management, staffing, customer service and loss prevention. You may also shadow other store managers or assistant managers to gain experience in these areas.

4. Develop strong leadership and interpersonal skills

Walmart store managers must be able to lead their teams and interact with customers in a friendly manner. Candidates for this position should have strong communication skills, as they will need to speak with employees and customers on a regular basis. They also need to be able to motivate their staff members and encourage them to work hard.

Employees of Walmart stores often work long hours and may experience stressful situations, so it’s important that the manager is someone who can keep his team motivated and working well together.

5. Understand how to motivate employees

Walmart store managers must motivate their employees to work hard and achieve the company’s goals. They can do this by offering competitive salaries, providing opportunities for career advancement and encouraging open communication between management and staff. Managers should also create a positive work environment that encourages productivity and collaboration among coworkers.

Employees who feel motivated are more likely to be productive and loyal to their employers. This is important because Walmart has high turnover rates in its stores. According to Business Insider, about 50 percent of Walmart associates leave within the first year. Motivated employees help reduce this rate and keep your store running smoothly.

6. Be able to work in a fast-paced environment

Walmart stores are often busy and hectic places to work, so you need to be able to handle a fast-paced environment. Walmart store managers have many responsibilities that they must complete each day, which means there is often little time for tasks to take longer than expected. You should be able to prioritize your tasks and manage your time well in order to ensure all of your responsibilities get completed on time.

7. Stay up to date on changes in the retail industry

Walmart is always making changes to its business model, so it’s important for store managers to stay informed about these developments. For example, Walmart recently announced that it will be increasing the number of online grocery pickup locations from 50 to more than 100 by the end of 2018. Managers need to know how this change affects their stores and what they can do to improve customer service in light of this development.