Smart & Final Employee Reviews

I constantly see people quit within one year of working here. People constantly argue since they have to do random tasks and work together. One minute your are a cashier next they can put you to stack candy and clean the restrooms. If you are part-time they give you 1 -4 days (Rarely 5) but it will be random days you get and a random schedule. You can have a bit of a flexible schedule depending on the manager. If you move up in management they can have you work in the morning, afternoon, or even some nights. Managers switch every few years and if you get a bad one then you could get fewer hours for example 1-3 if any. You can learn different departments if available and moving up is not so hard if your a good worker.

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Should only be a stepping stone before true success

Opening Manager/ Key Carrier (Current Employee) - Valencia, CA - June 1, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?There are far better places to work, with better pay and better everyday circumstances. They hire you to do a job at a certain position and you end up doing all kinds of other work and other people’s jobs and get that is supposed to be above your pay grade but you just get used. What is the most stressful part about working at the company?The expectations. You can’t even take breaks in peace! Low budget low staff always! What is the work environment and culture like at the company?Stressful not worth the headache. What is a typical day like for you at the company?Boring and tiresome and hectic

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Smart & Final insights

Based on 829 survey responses

What people like

Time and location flexibility
Feeling of personal appreciation
Ability to meet personal goals

Fun But Under Paid

Stocker/Cashier/Customer Service (Former Employee) - Redlands, CA - May 28, 2023

This job was fun to work at only because of the different faces you come across. Other than that the workers lack in customer service and team work.

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Good

Selector (Current Employee) - Riverside, CA - May 23, 2023

Work is easy if you can handle a freezer. Not a lot of long days a lot of 6 to 8 hour shifts. Only get overtime during the holidays. Night shift gets most of the overtime.

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Fun

Service Clerk (Current Employee) - Long Beach, CA - May 18, 2023

All my coworkers are very fun to be around everyone is nice and chill with each other while also because professional. The work life balance is perfect you tell them what you need and they’ll make sure you get that.

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It was ok

Service Clerk (Former Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - May 14, 2023

There was lots of politics at the store I was at , gotta a lot of shade since i had a relative in upper management at a another store . Helped me have money thru high school

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Somewhat fun

Retail Sales Associate (Former Employee) - Sacramento, CA - May 11, 2023

I worked in deli department and cashier, deli department was my favorite it was chill, all I did was stock and face items. Cashier was chill but there were a few rude customers but that didn’t bother me.

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Productive and beneficial to me.

Cashier/Customer Service (Current Employee) - Sacramento County, CA - May 8, 2023

What is the best part of working at the company?I been working at Smart&Final for over a 1yr now. Flexible hours good teamwork here.What is the most stressful part about working at the company?Christmas time. But great hours, and holiday pay.What is the work environment and culture like at the company?The vibe is great! My team really work well together

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Possibility to make a lot money

Order Selector (Current Employee) - Commerce, CA - April 30, 2023

Very good money but gets really repetitive and constant fight with management and when you are hired you become a part timer from the start and a hassle to get promotion life- work balance is bad I would say but great benefits

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Don't waste your time

Stocker/Cashier (Former Employee) - Westlake Village, CA - April 28, 2023

Working here for about 2-3+ years with no promotions or benefits given. Worked as a cashier and stocker (mostly got stocking shifts despite pleading to get better shifts respectfully). Will guilt trip you into staying at the job longer than you need to and job was also affecting my personal life and relationships/friendships. After I got a job offer they tried to match me with a huge pay raise but only offered $1.00ish more which felt like a slap in the face. Don't work here long term unless you want to get taken advantage and treated like a number in a system. Decided to quit and chase a job that I was actually passionate about.

Pros

none

Cons

bad pay, bad management, and depressing work enviroment

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Jobs at Smart & Final

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It’s chill

Cashier/Customer Service (Current Employee) - Encino, CA - April 27, 2023

Management is on top of everything. Super strict but they get the job done. Coworkers are fun to talk to and get to know. The customers are sometimes annoying but it’s comes with the job

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Very toxic enviroment

Cashier (Former Employee) - Riverside, CA - April 26, 2023

Typical retail enviroment, with low pay and poor values. They will call you on your days off and guilt you into going in to work . Managers are unhappy themselves and will reflect on the way they treat you. They will always put customers first even if you get stepped on by customers they will not care about your mental health.

Cons

Micro manage

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Good for students

Cashier/Customer Service (Former Employee) - Panorama City, CA - April 25, 2023

They will give you hours at first but they will eventually be cut for new employees. Definitely an easy job to do and I was never stressed compared to other places I have worked. There was a lot of gossip from coworkers and management was always changing (not always for the better). But if you are in college or high school and need something that works with your school schedule this is an easy option.

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Depends on your store

Assistant Manager (Former Employee) - San Jose, CA - April 19, 2023

Company is making terrible business decisions which is why I left. Management is either incredible or a total joke. So many unqualified people getting promoted. Not necessarily the best. Lots of favoritism.

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Chill

Crew Member (Former Employee) - San Diego, CA - April 17, 2023

It was laid back and not too hard. Coworkers were nice and good at training. The hours were not too bad but some shifts were long. The pay was good if you had enough hours.

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Great for College Students

Cashier/Customer Service (Current Employee) - Valencia, CA - April 13, 2023

Pros- They’re very flexible with your school schedule. Management is down to earth and good for the most part. The store is usually calm and slow paced. Cons- can be repetitive and boring at times so its important to keep yourself busy.

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Fun

Sales Associate (Former Employee) - McAllen, TX - April 11, 2023

Fun workplace great advancements l. Training is super helpful to get the job done. Would recommend to try as an entry level job.Decent pay for the amount of work your putting in

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fun place

Produce Associate (Current Employee) - Corona, CA - April 9, 2023

A productive, work-life balance-focused workplace benefits both employers and employees.It improves job satisfaction, performance, and workplace culture.

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Unexpected work environment

Cashier/Customer Service (Former Employee) - Seaside, CA - April 5, 2023

It doesn’t matter if you work so hard. Work culture not good. Senior employee always give pressure. Senior employees make other employees life worst. It’s a nightmare.

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Productive, motivated,

Stock Clerk (Former Employee) - Fresno, CA - April 3, 2023

Nothing bad to say about this job. They gave me plenty chances to move up and grow in the company. I just choose to go my own way. Love the employees, wish I could go back.

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Terrible management!

Cashier (Former Employee) - Bakersfield, CA - April 1, 2023

This place is nothing but a joke. I suggest that you run far away from this place!! It was ran by a bunch of clowns that don't value hard workers. Never again.

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