Early Talent - 2026 - D54 San Diego - Store Leadership Trainee

About the role

A Store Leadership Trainee (SLT) will participate in a structured training program to prepare for roles as a Merchandising Manager or Operations Manager (Assistant Store Manager) at a Kohl’s store. The SLT Program lasts 8 weeks for new hires and varies for internal participants.

Responsibilities

• Discover Kohl’s store structure, areas of ownership, and team responsibilities
• Learn all store operations and processes
• Engage in daily hands-on experiences including in-store merchandising, visual standards, and continual product movement
• Work closely with a Coach, Mentor, and HR Business Partners to learn effective leadership, motivation, and team engagement
• Lead with a customer-first mindset, demonstrating integrity and accountability, being a creative problem solver, and fostering an empathetic and inclusive culture
• Cultivate business acumen skills and learn to make operationally sound decisions
• Participate in dedicated programming to strengthen development and gain leadership exposure
• Analyze sales and market trends to drive profitability while maintaining a strong customer-first mindset
• Schedule execution, sales projections, and payroll management support
• Participate in Leader on Duty shifts to provide a Customer First experience

Requirements

Associate’s or Bachelor's degree required (or expected completion within approximately 3 months of starting the SLT Program)

• Less than 18 months of retail management leadership experience
• Flexible schedule, work hours based on business needs; must be available nights and weekends
• Highly adaptable and self-motivated
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Great verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to make quick decisions and resolve conflicts
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and superior critical thinking skills
• Strong people management skills and ability to develop talent
• Flexible availability, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays

Qualifications

Pay Range: $25 - $34.00

• Kohl’s offers a variety of benefits to associates depending on full-time/part-time status and work hours, including:
• WORK LIFE BALANCE (PTO, Vacation Buy Program, Parental Leave)
• HEALTH & WELLNESS (Medical, Dental, Vision and other short and long term disability programs, Emergency health and wellness programs such as Accident Protection Plans, Critical Illness Plans and more)
• SAVINGS & RETIREMENT BENEFITS (401k, Flexible Spending Accounts and associate discount programs with Kohl’s partners)
• INSURANCE PROGRAMS (Life Insurance for you, your family or your pet, as well as other protection programs)
• LIFE EVENTS (Legal and adoption assistance benefits)