Kroger is one of the biggest grocery store chains in the United States. Employing hundreds of thousands of people, they create a neighborhood grocery store experience that shoppers enjoy. Many visit these stores knowing they can quickly find diverse products, including unique and affordable store brands. To make this possible, Kroger relies on an extensive network of vendors—here’s what to know about the company’s requirements for vendor background checks.
Unlike most employees working in Kroger stores, the company does not directly hire vendors and their employees. A vendor might refer to one of two categories in a grocery store, such as Kroger. The first consists of individuals who visit Kroger stores to pack brand-name products on the shelf. This practice is expected in the food and beverage space. For instance, Frito-Lay products are usually stocked by a Frito-Lay vendor rather than a Kroger employee.
Additionally, vendors refer to third parties who manufacture and distribute products to Kroger stores. These companies don't employ people who work on Kroger property. Instead, they go through a lengthy business application process to gain approval from the company to form a partnership. These outside vendors create products or manufacture store-brand versions for the company.
In both cases, Kroger creates business relationships with other companies, expecting their partners to adhere to specified standards and practices. Providers must thoroughly vet employees visiting Kroger stores to protect shoppers and employees.
The Kroger website contains extensive information about how suppliers and vendors develop partnerships with the company. There is a wide range of expectations, many of them related to product quality and manufacturing standards. Kroger expects honesty and transparency from partners. Vendors are expected to fully comply with the law, including requirements in the vendor's area of operation.
No specific public information about Kroger vendor background checks is available – the company has not published any guidelines about how vendors should hire or vet employees. Though there are no clear rules, there is still the expectation that Kroger's partners will run a safe, reputable business. Using best practices related to background screening can support building a team that can satisfy Kroger's other standards for product quality.
Vendors placing products directly on Kroger shelves should prioritize safe hiring practices. Such efforts are essential to protecting Kroger's reputation and the company's in-store customers. For suppliers and other outside vendors, building a safe and reliable team is a core part of creating an environment for success. The right tools to evaluate someone's trustworthiness and potential risk factors are essential.
What tools are those? Here's an overview of the significant resources you can use to demonstrate a commitment to safety when hiring for Kroger.
Remember that background checks are regulated consumer reports. Obey local laws, such as ban the box regulations, restricting when and how you use background checks. Follow federal law, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act's consent and disclosure requirements. Avoid headaches by developing a compliant screening process you can demonstrate to Kroger.
The presence of a criminal record is usually not justifiable grounds for dismissing an applicant. You should strive to implement fair practices backed up by a paper trail. Kroger requires companies to furnish a wide range of information upon request, which may include your vetting policies. To avoid potential discrimination claims, use the evaluation factors from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Consider the age of the crime and its relevance to the job.
How can you make it easier to select and screen applicants for the hiring process? Equipping your business with help from a trusted background check company is time-sensitive when pursuing a vendor contract with Kroger. At backgroundchecks.com, we provide the answer with our innovative VendorSAFE program. VendorSAFE makes ordering comprehensive background checks tailored to your requirements easy for every applicant.
With detailed reporting and broad access to criminal history resources, you'll be able to learn more about your applicants. Select those most suited to the job and hire with greater confidence. Enjoy the speed and reliability of service from a trusted background check provider.
For in-store vendors and third-party suppliers, meeting Kroger's expectations is vital. Conducting thorough vendor background checks can be a part of that process. Doing so can also protect your business from negligent hiring claims in the event of an incident. Though Kroger does not lay down particular guidelines on how vendors vet their employees, companies should embrace the process as a matter of due diligence. Support from backgroundchecks.com, including VendorSAFE, makes that easy to achieve. Learn more today and explore how to set up a safer, smarter hiring pipeline.