With a history that spans more than 152 years, Smart & Final offers customers fresh produce, quality meats and groceries as well as more than 3,000 club-sized items to fit every budget and need. We are the smaller, faster grocery warehouse store – without the membership fee.
We proudly give back to the communities we serve through the help of the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation, donating more than $1 million and volunteering over 1,000 hours each year.
As part of the Chedraui USA group of companies, our mission is to provide customers with an exceptional shopping experience with the freshest selection available across all our retail banners, and our people are at the heart of what we do. At Smart & Final, our associates enjoy professional and educational opportunities to empower their success at our stores and beyond.
Headquartered in the Los Angeles area in Commerce, Calif., Smart & Final operates more than 250 stores under the Smart & Final and Smart & Final Extra! banners in California, Nevada, and Arizona, with an additional 17 stores in Mexico operated through a joint venture.
Smart & Final. Where else
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
2
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: It's a solid place to work if you need consistent hours and a predictable schedule. The job security is definitely a plus; there's always a need for people in grocery retail, and Smart & Final has been around for a while. Management is generally understanding about scheduling needs, and the company culture is laid-back and friendly, making the day-to-day tasks manageable.
Cons: While stability is good, the pay and benefits aren't the most competitive in the current job market, especially for the amount of work involved. Career growth opportunities are mostly limited to moving up within a single store or into assistant management, which doesn't always come with a significant pay bump. Training could also be more standardized across locations.
Advice to Management: Consider reviewing the pay scale to better align with industry standards and the responsibilities of frontline associates. Also, explore more structured pathways for skill development and advancement beyond store-level roles.
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Pros: The pay and benefits package at Smart & Final is competitive for the grocery wholesale industry, making it a solid choice for reliable income. I appreciated the consistent schedule, which allowed for good work-life balance, and the teamwork on the floor was generally positive. It's a stable environment with plenty of opportunities to learn the operational side of food distribution.
Cons: The physical demands of the warehouse role can be quite high, especially during peak seasons, and the workload can feel heavy at times. While leadership is present, improving communication channels between management and floor staff regarding workflow adjustments and expectations would be beneficial for everyone. Sometimes, approvals for minor operational changes take a while.
Advice to Management: Consider implementing more streamlined communication protocols for shift changes and workload adjustments. Empowering team leads with quicker approval processes for minor operational improvements could boost efficiency and morale.
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Does Smart & Final offer good wellness programs for its employees in California?
Yes, Smart & Final in California really cares about employee well-being, offering programs that focus on physical and mental health, which is great for all roles across their stores and distribution centers.
What's the typical salary range for a stocker at Smart & Final in Southern California?
When I worked as a stocker at Smart & Final in the Los Angeles area, the hourly pay was around $16-$18 per hour, which felt competitive for grocery store roles in the region. While it varied slightly by store and experience, that was the general range for entry-level positions.