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Trader Joe's Overview
Monrovia, CA
10000+ employees
1967
Company - Private
Retail
$10+ billion (USD) per year
When it comes to grocery chains, Trader Joe's isn't your average Joe.
The company has 460+ stores in 41- states and about 38,000 employees dubbed “Crew Members”. The Crew Members are hard-working, fun ... Read more
The company has 460+ stores in 41- states and about 38,000 employees dubbed “Crew Members”. The Crew Members are hard-working, fun ... Read more
Mission: The company’s philosophy is to bring their customers the best food and beverage values; provide them with information to help make informed buying decisions and to create stores filled with fun, friendliness and genuine care for customers.
Glassdoor Awards
Trader Joe's – Why Work For Us?
It all started in the 50s... Would you believe we started out as a small chain of convenience stores? It’s true. Way back in 1958. We were called Pronto Markets. In ‘67, our founder, the original Trader Joe, changed our name (yes, to Trader Joe’s) and the way we do business.
We made the stores bigger (if you can imagine), decked the walls with cedar planks and donned our crew in cool Hawaiian shirts. Most importantly, we started packaging innovative, hard-to-find, great-tasting foods under the “Trader Joe’s” name. That cut our costs and saved you money. Still does. And that’s important, because “Value” is a concept we take very seriously. And by ‘Value,’ we mean great everyday prices on all of our great products — no sales, no gimmicks, no clubs to join, no special cards to swipe...
How do we do it?
- We buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.
- If an item doesn’t pull its weight in our stores, it goes away to gangway for something else.
- We buy in volume and contract early to get the best prices.
- Most grocers charge their suppliers fees for putting an item on the shelf. This results in higher prices... so we don’t do it.
- We keep our costs low — because every penny we save is a penny you save.
It’s not complicated. We just focus on what matters — great food + great prices = Value.
What We Do
At Trader Joe’s, we create an outstanding customer experience around the discovery and enjoyment of amazing food and beverages. It’s what we do, and our Crew is our bread and butter, alongside the Trader Joe’s Bread and Butter.
It’s what we do – in every store, every day – that makes us Trader Joe’s.
Is It You?
We are looking for hard-working, fun people—people with a passion for food, learning, and creating delight for others. We take our job seriously, wear ourselves lightly, and are always looking to improve our Crew.
Benefits
We treat our Crew like our bread and butter. Because we know quality benefits play a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of our Crew Members and their families, we offer:
- Competitive Pay
- Generous Retirement Plan
- Health Care (Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision)
- Paid Time Off
- Family and Medical Leave
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Crew Member Assistance Program
- 10% discount on all TJ’s Products
- Cool Shirts & Name Tags
- Training Programs
- Regular Product Tastings
- Leadership Development Courses
Crew
The Crew is Trader Joe’s heart and soul. As a member of the Crew, you do a little of everything—and handle a lot. So does everyone along with you. Working the cash registers, receiving and unloading deliveries, stocking shelves, building displays, cleaning the floor, answering questions about Trader Joe’s products, and just generally making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly and informative shopping experience—that’s a little of everything. That’s a lot.
Merchant
Merchants are exclusively promoted from Trader Joe’s Crew Members. Having demonstrated a deep commitment to their community, Merchants are tasked to do it all, like the Crew, and to set the example. From working the cash registers and receiving and unloading deliveries to answering questions about products, and making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly and informative shopping experience—Merchants get it done and always quest for ways to do it better.
Mate
Mates are store leaders. Promoted from Crew Members who excel in their roles, as well as qualified external candidates, Mates do it all and provide direction and training to the Crew. From working the cash registers and stocking shelves to building displays, and making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly and informative shopping experience—Mates work side by side with and develop the Crew to ensure that the work is executed with excellence and efficiency.
Captain
The Captain (always promoted from within—a Mate that has exemplified unwavering integrity and commitment) is the leader of the store. With the assistance of a team of Mates, the Captain directs the strategy and develops the Crew. They do it all on the floor of the store (there are no offices). From working the cash registers to making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly and informative shopping experience—the Captain works with and leads the Crew to continuously optimize every process.
Trader Joe's Reviews
Trader Joe's1865Approve of CEO
Dan Bane
991 Ratings
- Featured Review
Helpful (14)
![Trader Joe's Logo]()
"Crew Member"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPositive OutlookNo opinion of CEOI have been working at Trader Joe's full-time
Pros
Great company to work for. Upbeat, fun environment while keeping it professional when it comes to customer service. Great benefits when you're there as a full time worker.
Cons
Not a set schedule but depending on the schedule writer they can be flexible with time and hours.
Trader Joe's 2017-01-07 09:45 PST
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Trader Joe's Interviews
Experience
Experience
71%
17%
10%
Getting an Interview
Getting an Interview
83%
8%
4%
2
0
0
Difficulty
2.3
AverageHelpful (11)
Accepted OfferPositive ExperienceEasy InterviewTrader Joe's 2017-07-12 12:13 PDTApplication
I applied in-person. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Lincoln, NE).
Interview
I went into the store and handed the acting manager my application. She looked it over, then immediately asked, "What's your favorite Trader Joe's item?" I answered, and then she signed me up for an interview the very next day. I had an interview with the assistant manager, where he took me to the back of the store and we sat in chairs across from each other. It was very casual. He asked me very normal questions about why I wanted to work at TJ's and what I was hoping to do. He was friendly and I answered everything in a friendly but concise manner. I had prepared for most of the questions he'd asked. When the interview was over I asked him questions about himself. He then invited me to come for a second interview with the store manager. The second interview was much the same and he asked nearly the same questions. I asked him a lot of questions about himself and his opinion of the store and he spent most of the interview talking--more than I did actually. At the end of the interview he asked me to reapply for a manager position and mentioned that if I didn't get the management position he'd hire me as a crew member. Very laid back and earnest interview process. There was no background check or drug test.
Interview Questions
- What sort of tasks do you expect to be doing as a Crew Member? 1 Answer
- Tell me about yourself. Answer Question
- Why do you want to work at Trader Joe's? Answer Question
Trader Joe's Awards & Accolades
- Employees' Choice -50 Best Places to work, Glassdoor, 2013
- Employees’ Choice - 50 Best Places to Work, Glassdoor, 2012
- Employees’ Choice - 50 Best Places to Work, Glassdoor, 2011
Trader Joe's Locations
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