Smart & Final Employment and Reviews (2024)

1.0

Don't work here. The truth about working at Smart and Final.

I worked at smart and final in the front end as a cashier. The job itself of ringing up items is fairly easy. However, what should be a relatively easy straightforward job has many things that ruin it. First bad thing is about this job is the extremely bad scheduling. At times you will be scheduled a week straight with no days off. They do this by combining the work week schedules. The schedule as with most retail jobs is randomized. So there is rarely any consistency with schedules. The scheduling gets very bad with the closing and opening shifts too. You will sometimes be scheduled to work until around 9 or 10PM when the store closes around 10PM and then be scheduled to work your next shift tomorrow at 6AM. Meaning you go home at 9 or 10PM and barely have any time to do anything in between those shifts or get any quality sleep. Not only is scheduling bad, but the pay is horrible. You make minimum wage with no pay increases ever. The culture in the work place is also incredibly hostile. You absolutely must look busy no matter what. Just finished clearing a line of customers checking out their items through your register? You need to immediately look busy facing coolers or gathering baskets. Even if you already faced the coolers or gathered all the baskets and you've completed the extra work that is assigned to you then you must pretend to be working by going back into the coolers and looking like you're moving stuff around. If you rest for literally even five seconds after

ProsEmployee discount and you don't have to work on Christmas. Those are the pros.

ConsTerrible scheduling such as scheduling a closing then opening shift back to back, registers constantly freeze and break down, terrible pay, have to work on Thanksgiving if scheduled for it, have to look busy 24/7 so there's no time to rest, lack of appreciation they don't reward employees who volunteer to stay longer or work extra hours, almost always understaffed

3.0

A Fun fast paced working environment and the enjoyment of working up close and personal with customers was the best part of my job

I had 5 different job titles, which I loved because when hours were not available I could do other jobs within the company. Plus, I love to learn and self motivated to learn all the ins and outs of the company by doing different jobs. A typical day would consist of supervising and training new and current employees on specials and changes. Along with serving app. 75-100 customers daily providing them with excellent customer service. Answering phones, taking Togo orders and when problems occur I am the first order of problem solving ensuring the customer leaves satisfied and happy to return. Depending on the job I was doing that day for instance if I was a Line Cook the day id a bit different I would start off by prepping and cleaning my line for my shift and part of the next shift production. I would also cook half of the restaurants meals for that shift including special orders at a fast pace. This was my first job I learned many many things like the whole ins and out of what it takes to run a restaurant on a cooperate level. I started off as a hostess for a month and then quickly moved up to a waitress and a CEO Trainer. I also was the baker and then moved up to a line cook while I was in culinary school to receive experience. The hardest part of the job was to remain calm and organized when you have 20 tickets to fill during rush hour, but when its over its the greatest gratification because I was able to stay focused and constant and the customers enjoyed their experie

ProsTips, Knowledege, and of course free or discounted food

ConsThe medical benefits were not that great kind of expensive

3.0

A Place to Work...

Start off by breaking down and separating Load onto U-boats, then pushing them to their respective aisles. Once load is broken down, we begin working whats on the floor and Bale cardboard as we finish each aisle. Breaks are taken inbetween the shifts. Once everything has been stocked, overstock is thrown up on the overheads, and then we begin conditioning the store. After that, store is swept and spot mopped before the store is opened.I have learned responsibility, communicating with others efficiently, patience, going above and beyond to help others, and respecting other workers viewpoints on different matters.Sadly, I feel that management is extremely poor here. They do not effectively communicate with their employees, and treat them with a lot of disrespect. Most stand around talking to each other all day, and fail to follow some of the rules that they "encourage" their employees to do. When any of my coworkers go and bring something of concern to their attention, they tend to shrug it off and continue with whatever they are doing.The crew I work with is probably the hardest working bunch of people I have ever worked with. They know their job, and do it well. The same cant be said to all the employees, but for the most part, everyone is kind, and respects me and the work that I do.The most difficult thing would have to be going in at odd hours of the night, and not having a completely set schedule. Hours vary week to week, and I never know if ill get the same salar

Prosfast pace environment, flexible hours, store discount

Conspoor management, low pay for amount of work done, odd shifts

1.0

Most of management doesnt care about you as a person. Good job for young people in late high school and college.

Most of the management is terrible. They dont care about you even as a person, let alone as an employee. The corporate managers have their heads up their rears. They hired so many Mentally Handicapped people for the service clerks that hardly anything got done, if it did get done, it was either a half done job or completely wrong. Before covid I was working 40hrs a week, and i was still classified as a part time employee, so i was never eligible for full time benefits. In 4 years i only got a raise of $3.20, $2.00 of that was solely because minimum wage went up. I and many others went to management and corporate over multiple situations that we felt needed to be handled, and they could simply not be bothered. They totally play favorites with employees, I.e. managers going out to get drinks and hang out with employees and become friends with them, who which in turn got treated better and nicer at work.There were only about 6 employees who didnt act like immature children and actually had some respect for themselves and the others around them. Ive had multiple ex employees, both regular and corporate, tell me that smart and final does not treat their employees fairly and with respect. If you are an employee at smart n final, you are not an employee, you are just pawn in the game, a cog in the machine, thats it. If wanna get paid what your time is actually worth and If you want to feel like your work is actually appreciated and If you dont want to feel like the managers are

ProsEasy to buy lunch

ConsEverything else

3.0

The company was good once upon a time

Ive worked for smart and final for a while and when I started it was great. I moved up, I was getting good hours and pay, associates were awesome as well as the managers. time passed and all of that changed. the company was going in new direction and that made everything wrong. more and more associates were being hired little advances were given out because of it, hours were scarce, and if you want to survive in CA you're going to need 2 jobs if you work here. Managers were allowing so much wrong to happen all around the store from lazy associates never getting in trouble, keeping hard workers from advancing, never listening to associates with have constructive criticism that would benefit the store and company over all. LAZY. this isn't just "a" store because I've worked at many, even working at the corporate office for 2 years and this has been all over the company. Only select family members of high ups get the perks of staying and thriving here people. Since working here I was propositioned to advance several times but was denied because the store I was currently working at didn't want me to leave and have to go through any process of finding someone to replace me. it was a compliment in a way but those positions would have helped my future and life. I ask and I am always told I am needed where I am and the next time I will get it. Hollow words to me now, which is why I'm here on indeed, to find a better place for me, that will reward hard work, listen to ideas, have adva

4.0

The Best Place to Start

If there's anything I learned getting my job at Smart & Final, it's that the best place to start is where you already have your foot in the door. Prior to my job, I actually had a two month long internship there issued by my high school, so that's something.That being said, I'm sure it's obvious by now that this was my first job, and for my first job? I think I picked just the right place. A grocery store job can have its stressful moments for sure, but there's not a doubt in the world there's plenty of breathing room in between. You're always guaranteed a 30 minute lunch break, and you rarely miss either of your 10 minute breaks either. The job itself might demand a little physical strength and endurance at times, but for the most part it keeps you in good shape.My coworkers there are arguably some of the most unforgettable people I've ever worked with. Each tend to be very understanding of each other, have a good sense of humor, and overall always have your back no matter what. Not to mention, a lot of the customers I got there, especially more recurring ones, were really nice, and it's fun to have people like them to more directly help and talk to every now and then.In the end, work here isn't always the easiest, as it can and will have its tough times (holidays, COVID panics, etc), but for my first job, this place set a good example of what a good workplace SHOULD be like.

ProsAstounding Coworkers/Management, Employee Discounts, 401k Savings

ConsLow Hours in certain times of year, Can be repetitive at times, A little risky in places

3.0

Cashier - expect long lines working alone

Working as a new cashier, dont expect much training. From day one, you are on a register. Learn by doing, so be confident in yourself and get a rhythm going. Learning codes takes time, luckily they supply a code book. Calling for an manager override is very common and if your lucky enough your working with a good responsive manager that day. Weekends, they have multiple cashiers working. Weekdays / Evenings: it is just you and one other cashier. Lines get long quickly! You find yourself alone, fumbling through the code book and customers getting irritated to open another register. Where did the other cashier go? Where is the manager? In the Antioch store, the other cashier was "always away from her register" talking with the security guard, laughing carrying on. I get paid just as you do, so why am I doing all the work? Plus, I'm new! Cashiers that know the codes, should be setting examples for new hires. There is always, one that knows "everything ", and will get in your way putting in there 2 cents. Did I ask for help? Cause now, you look like a know it all brat and my rythm is off. Stay in your lane. Be confident in your ability! Dont t let anyone, make you feel less than. When customer(s) complain to you about other cashiers, reevaluate if this job is what you expected. It should not be on the shoulders of one new hire, if your company succeed or fails.

ProsGood Pay, Always hours to work

ConsExpect LONG lines and being alone.

3.0

Decent work for long term employees

If you do not have prior grocery/ retail experience, expect to spend a time in the minimum wage or close to minimum wage area. The environment with coworkers is enjoyable, but there is a fair amount of the blame game.Customers are similar to any other retail, so nights seem to be the popular shift. Night stocking crew will work a heavy load of product, clean the sales floor, organize displays, and various other jobs assigned by the manager in a typical 8-hour shift, but overtime is not allowed, only if absolutely necessary.If you intend on working for a year and a half to reach a decent 13 per hour and supervisor position, it is fairly easily attainable as long as you frequently check in with the manager and ask what they need to be done. The time gap between raises is infrequent and depending on your effort, you may feel your wage is very underwhelming for the amount of physical labor put in. Especially if you work directly with the manager completing tasks for them throughout each day, verbal praise is heavily present, but they are hardly reinforced with compensation by raises.Overall Smart and Final is a great first job whether you are young or just entering retail for the first time, but employment lasting a few years plus will land you in a place where the wage is worth the work.

ProsGreat coworker interaction

ConsShort breaks, High demand/stress

3.0

Just an average retail job ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This was the first job I had out of high school. At the Smart & Final, I worked at the employee's were all very nice and taught me the ins and outs of the job. While the people who work here are nice enough, you can tell there is a degree of favoritism for employee treatment here based on that. Employees who mooch up to the managers are the ones who get the best schedules, while those who aren't usually don't get the best of schedules. I usually would get the later shifts and even after I talked to the managers multiple times they would not give me the shifts I wanted. I worked here as a stocker and sometimes as a cashier, the stocking shifts were good but they were all late at night and never early shifts which was sometimes annoying. The cashier shifts were usually pretty good but they were far and few in between. I decided to leave this job after 3ish years in search of another job because I could not see this job leading me anywhere else, and thus a dead end. You can also tell there is some mismanagement here sometimes, but that's to be expected with retail chains. Overall though, if you're looking for an easygoing entry-level job this is your best bet. Not a bad job at all just very monotonous after a while. Just don't stay long term for your sanity.

ProsGood management, very nice employees, and employee discounts

ConsShort breaks, heavy lifting, and bad schedules.

5.0

About Smart & Final

A typical day at work is simple , We come in i go to my register ask people how they are if they found everything OK, answer any questions or complaints they may have. I learned a lot working at Smart & Final i learned experience on the register i learned how to count my till out properly and to meet certain goals. Management was great my managers , nice guy very on top of his game. Always had the store in top shape. My co-workers were great at times we all work together to get the lines down and get people out on time so their is no problems. The hardest part about my job was when i felt like i couldn't do anything to help a customer, i was either stuck on the register or i was off the clock. The most enjoyable part was when i had this lady come to my line with four baskets full of groceries, she told me she was sorry and it was for a company she also said she has one more basket but cant get some stuff down , i closed my line helped her pull what she needed and started to ring her up. Her total came out to nine hundred and thirty six dollars and twenty eight cents. After handing her the recite and thanking her she asked if she could speak to my manager i said yes and called him up. She then spoke to my manager thanking me for my great customer service, also going on how i was a hard worker and so polite.She the thanked me once more and then left. That was the best day at work.