cook

cashier

food clerk

meat clerk

lead cashier

New Seasons Market

A typical day at work started with showing up at 6am to find that no food preperations or supplies needed to have a successful smooth day had been done. Most of the time at least 2 to 3 people would have called in sick. The work load involved in trying to make up for the extreme lack of supplies needed would be extremely over whelming.When I would bring up problems that could be easily fixed managers would point the finger somewere else, they would never take any responsibilty and nothing would change.  Being one of the stronger employees when It came to production and customer service I found myself doing at least twice the amount of work as one of the other Deli employees. I also had a very very hard time securing a schedule that met my families needs. For almost a year and a half I struggled to get any small piece of a decent schedule that would allow me real quality time at home with my kids.  I had multiple meetings with store management regarding the fact that with my schedule I wouldn't see my kids for about 4 days at a time. It was very damaging to my home life. When I started to ask questions and bring attention this fact, always respectfully in order to find a solution without causing another problem for myself, I felt I started to be targeted as a trouble maker. I feel that when I started I was told it was a lifestyle company, that they would work with you and your family's needs, and that ended up being completely not the case.The company towards the end of my employment had hiring freezes, leaving a small amount of employees to do the work load of what it would take twice the amount of people to do. All that counted to them was the bottom line and how much money they made that day regardless of how it was affecting our health and our family's. I became increasingly stressed out and physically unhealthy. My son had some problems with depression. I made it very clear that I needed to be home in order to help him through his period of depression. He started cutting himself at one point. I'll never forget a meeting that I had with a New Seasons store manager in which my son's problem, that could have led to suicide, as well as my family's situation in dealing with this matter was compared to letting someone go from work early so that they wouldn't be late from band practice. 
I will miss the benefits. But when I tried to stick up for what I knew was right and needed for my family to be happy and healthy instead of just going along with the new corperate mentality I found myself becoming a target. It ended up being one of the worst work environments or jobs I have ever had. I would see people who had no family's, kids striaght out of colledge with no family, get positions, or promotions for what seemed like no reason, or schedules that people like myself had been asking for for a long time, almost like it was a spite for trying to achieve better hours or situations for our family's. A lot changed about 2 years ago when New Seasons was taken over by new management and they went through a "remodle"
So many amazing truly friendly people left by the droves and some really nasty mean people started to take there place. It truly seemed like everything New Seasons started on and stood for, the reasons they were wildly succesful for in the first place were going out the window because of the new and encroaching bottom line.

Pay & Hours
Pay at New Seasons is on the lower side, with employees typically working 37.5 hours a week instead of the usual 40. This reduction lowers overall pay by about a dollar per hour, which can bring wages close to or below minimum wage for some employees. This makes the claim of being a "better paying employer" somewhat misleading. Many staff members rely on EBT due to these low wages, meaning New Seasons indirectly relies on government assistance to supplement employee income. Annual raises are around $0.80 per hour, or roughly 2-3%, which is a minimal rate of increase with a low cap. You also get a predictable schedule and two days off for your weekend. This is rare in grocery retail, at least in my experience.

Benefits
The benefits are moderate, with a 30% employee discount as a standout perk. The 401(k) match is below average, matching 50% up to 5%, effectively amounting to a 100% match on 2.5% of an employee’s contribution. Full vesting takes five years, which appears to encourage turnover. New Seasons offers a $25 per pay period employer contribution to an HSA, which is a helpful perk. Additional benefits include childcare and transportation discounts, and they also provide a retail manager training certification, which is unique for grocery store work.

Time Off
PTO accrual is low and combines with sick leave, resulting in approximately 7-10 days off in the first year. This setup seems structured to create higher turnover, potentially to replace employees with lower-paid new hires.

Work Environment
I enjoy working at my location, and my manager and coworkers are supportive. My manager, in particular, strives to create a positive atmosphere, which I appreciate. However, about half of the customers can be challenging, getting upset when asked for a return receipt. Unlike in past years, New Seasons now requires receipts for returns, which has frustrated some customers. Verbal abuse and harassment from customers can be common, and I wish the company would implement measures to address this. Most customers at my location are decent, though a few are very difficult—especially some of the older clientele who often seem to feel more entitled.

Company Culture
New Seasons has many long-term employees alongside frequent new hires. The longer-term staff joined back when the company was a better place to work and build a career. However, ownership has changed hands multiple times, and it’s now owned by a Korean holding company. This shift seems to be turning New Seasons into a more expensive version of Walmart or Dollar Tree. Many locations are becoming more corporate and cutting corners, leading to a less enjoyable shopping experience—and customers are noticing. I think New Seasons will stick around, but its quality as both an employer and a company is likely to keep declining.

Overall Recommendation
In my opinion, unless you’re in immediate need of work and can’t find another option, it’s best to avoid New Seasons, at least for now.  Hopefully, some changes can be made. Like most mid-large companies these days the quality of work environment is on the decline for non executive employees.

Working for New Seasons Market was a blast.  The company was built on the premise of customer service to maximize the shopping experience.  Their philosophy beyond local and sustainable was if a good work environment was created, the employees would be better enabled to offer the best customer service experience for those shopping with us.  

I worked as a store floater with the company.  This was a position that worked each department depending on staffing and/or how busy a particular department was.  Meaning, if a department had employees out because of sickness or vacation I would work there to cover for them.  Also, if there was a major rush like a lunch rush at the deli department, I could move over there to offer additional coverage.  My duty was customer service first, then to aid the department as they needed.  

With the challenge of working all the departments I've gained numerous skills, as a cashier, meat clerk, produce clerk, etc.  All the departments had different skill sets that needed to be learned and I loved this.  Each day was a learning experience, but I loved having the skill set to assist any of my customers or co-workers at any time, any place.  

Challenging was setting co-workers' expectations in that you had to be well organized to meet the needs of the department you were assigned to.  Prioritization was important in figuring out which areas were needed coverage first.  You couldn't always make everyone happy, but just do the best job possible.  I would have to say this really grew my communication in a solid manner.  Also, being creative in coverage at times, since there was only so much I could do.  

In that, management was great.  When the position first started they didn't know the best way to apply it.  It was originally intended to be a customer service focus only.  Allowing the department employees to take care of the department and customers as needed.  As we went along they were receptive in feedback that the position could grow, as I learned each department more and more thoroughly.  At the end of my employment with New Seasons, I was taking care of the customers, helping with production, even assisting at times with opening and closing departments for the day based on need.

There is a massive separation between the top of the company and the crews within the stores. Decisions are no longer made based on culture but on profits, which is common when you see a corporation grow too large. Their vision is completely gone. I was only there for 3 years but even during that time, it was easy to see that the direction of the company had changed for the worse.

I really enjoyed working within the stores themselves, but I always tried to stay away from headquarters and my own department there. Elitism and "corporate" jargon is often thrown around to rationalize the new direction of the company, which is only to expand prolifically and increase profit as much as possible.

They have so many stores within Portland now that they literally cannibalize patrons from one another. The answer to this was to run skeleton crews within the stores to meet budgets. When I first started, I received two 6% max wage increases in a row because of my performance. As things changed, a 6% increase literally became impossible despite it being on the "scale." This was spun to me in so many words using corporate terms that essentially explained that things were changing, and that those days were over.

When I was working within a store on the floor, one of the most common phrases I would hear from any of my 12 superiors - not a joke, I kept track - was "I appreciate you." At first, this feels really good. Like your work is noticed and genuinely appreciated. Then 2 years later when I get promoted to a position in headquarters, I found out that this is something that managers are trained to say as often as possible. I felt manipulated.

Overall, I loved the people I worked with within the stores, but this company as a whole has such a greasy, sleazy, used car salesman feel now. Health of the community and its people are now used a guise as a means to increase profits. Don't get me wrong, as I had lots of really great memories here, but it is clear now that this company has become a sinking ship.

Do not under any circumstance trust upper store management and HR at your location. They are shady and sleazy. They will be friendly and smiling when you go to talk to them about concerns, incidents, and mistreatment because they wan't you to trust them, because it's easier for them to manage you and any liabilities when you're under the naive impression that you can trust them about what you report. WRONG. Make formal complaints about concerns, incidents, and mistreatment? You don't wanna know what goes on behind the scenes. Furthermore, don't believe in their "speak-up" culture, don't drink the kool-aid. 

Here is a survival guide to the unscrupulous store management and HR:

NEVER address your concerns orally in-person with them as it is a paperless trail. ALWAYS ask for their emails and submit any concerns and incidents to them in the form of an email and submit it to them that way. That way you have a paper trail.They'll get uncomfortable and reluctant, but they HAVE to provide you with this information. You can only trust yourself at your store. Believe me, don't learn the hard way like me. I'm writing this for a reason. No one should have went through what I did. 

Do not trust Operations no matter how friendly, they report EVERYTHING to upper management. Ops and upper management will also place themselves in proximity to watch and eavesdrop on you. Think I'm paranoid? I wish. Anything report worthy gets documented unbeknownst to you. 

If you experience any concerns, incidents, and mistreatment then...... DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. Dates, times, incidents, witnesses. And once again, always in the form of an email to upper management and HR to provide yourself a paper trail.  

Good luck to you. Oh, by the way jump off the clown car as soon as you can. This is a once-great company that has lost its way and its soul. I wanted to love working here and tried my best to make it work. They have abysmal turnover for a reason: store management and HR. Do not trust them under any circumstance. It's sad I have to write this, but that's life. Lessons learned.

New Seasons Market is awesome concept. Their goal is to provide a mostly natural & organic selection of groceries, while still being a community oriented market. Prior to NSM, I worked for a different union based grocery chain for nearly 10 years. The benefits and pay are honestly amazing for being a non union shop, and the employees are typically approachable and kind. When I first came on to the company, I thought to myself, "they are doing everything I wished that my previous company had done". Within months, however, the flaws in their management structure were obvious. So much so, that it was at NSM that I decided that I wanted to get out of the grocery industry for good.

For the average, entry level employee, you will have an above average experience as a grocery worker here. Once you take on lead level responsibilities, it is a completely different story. There is a large jump in responsibility and scrutiny in the lead positions, and they don't get much support. All this for $0.50 of extra pay. Working in the perimeter departments, you are constantly being taken away from your production duties, and while this is great training for your ability to multitask and delegate responsibility, 4 out of 5 days per week left me feeling defeating and frustrated at the impossible conditions. Management is SLOW to hire on help when it is needed, in an effort to minimize work hours used.

The most enjoyable aspect of NSM is the company culture. It is quirky, kind, and filled with many like minded individuals. As I said before, they offer an amazing benefits package to their employees, and their pay is better than anything you will find in an entry level grocery position at a union grocery store.

My experience with New Seasons was about as good as any other job. It pays more than most grocery stores in the area, other than other similarly natural/specialty food stores. The health insurance is similar in that it is a step or two above the industry standard for grocery employees. The day to day of your job is also fairly standard with its own ups and downs and stressful moments depending on what department in the store you are in. COVID obviously exacerbated a lot of those day to day struggles. Where New Seasons really needs improvement is in its management. Lots of people getting promoted who aren’t a right fit just to keep labor hours within their store rather than hiring out. Also had three separate employees from my department all formally complain about our manager and still nothing has been done even after I’ve left because the person has been there a long time. If you’re coming from a job that is incredibly toxic, you’re being underpaid, or you have no benefits, I would definitely recommend New Seasons. But if you want somewhere you feel really nurtured and have room to grow and develop, pick your New Seasons location wisely. I’ve heard wonderful reviews about some stores in the company, but make sure the store you’re applying to is one of them. And pro-tip (not just for at new seasons) if the person who is interviewing you is going to be your direct supervisor/manager and they are already giving you attitude or being condescending IN THE INTERVIEW just thank them for their time and find a different store or different department within that store to work in. Your job needs to be the right fit for you, not just you having to meet the positions needs. Interviews really are two way assessments!

I work in the Bakery. It's hard work. We don't have the luxury to stand about and chat - there's bread to be made for hungry customers who love our products. But for goodness sake, if you were ever an employee of the Central Kitchen, Please for the love of cheese, give it a rest. Central Kitchen closed shop - locked the doors and sent everyone home. It's done. Over. Finished. We don't need to be reminded about it on a daily basis. I never worked there - I don't even know where it was located. 

You get out of what you put into your job - your career. I read about how a lot of people are not satisfied with their working situation. Okay. New Seasons has a lot of open doors in the Managers Offices to sit down and talk with Management. If you're having an issue then it's not with your management, it's with whomever is complaining by not taking the steps to be proactive. HR, Store Support, Operations - they are all available and I've had a lot of success talking over my concerns, observations and direction with great success. I don't see a disconnect. Sure, we're understaffed but that's the nature of today's working environment - we make it work by working smart.

It's challenging in my department but it's also rewarding and enjoyable. And if you're a hard worker, who wants great benefits, free food in the blue slip, 30% off at the check out, automatic raises twice a year, and a whole lotta other bonuses like cookie day, food truck day, ice cream day, and other fun stuff - apply. If you want to complain about stuff you don't agree and write sad reviews, don't apply. We need good people. We ARE, after all, the Friendliest Store in Town and that reputation needs to be authentic. Nuff said. 

I have worked for New Seasons for almost 5 years and I still am very proud to work for this company. 
This is not to say that I agree with every single thing they do, but it's still a company with a heart compared to many others. The benefits are out of this world. Amazing. People are genuine here. 

I feel that I am treated with respect. My voice is heard. My pay is commensurate with what I actually do in my job. It's still not enough to really survive in Portland, but that's on me not choosing a wealthier career choice. I get paid for what I do- which is not brain surgery. The people that work here are like family and people work hard. 

My only complaints: We have had a difficult time with a few of our Assistant Store Managers over the past couple of years as some of them just don't know how to communicate or manage. Another complaint would be that some department managers are placed in roles without any real experience so they make terrible ineffective managers.
Some department managers have a revolving door of employees and yet it may take years for upper management to finally see that its the department manager. Eventually its figured out but it seems to take a while. Maybe that's because upper management wants to think the best of people? Or they just don't want to see it?

If I leave New Seasons tomorrow, I will be sad because its a positive, friendly, supportive place to work. I will always look back at my time as a really good one. I have enjoyed my direct managers and appreciate the humor, the ability to laugh at things, and the heart that if someone makes a mistake, it's okay... what did you learn from it? It's a great company.

New Seasons has got to be one of the best jobs I will have ever had in my life time.  Most days were hard working, but yet very fun and with nice customers most of the time. My co-workers were very understanding, friendly, and always supported and participated in team work. Such as putting carts away, cleaning up a spill and especially closing tasks. My managers had to be some of the best I have ever met. They took the time to listen to anything I had to say,  friendly, cared about if we were trained properly, understood majority of anything I said and even tried to help cope any problems. The most enjoyable part of the whole job would honestly have to be, my co-workers. Just all the team work involved, and as well communication is something I will always love in a job. As for the most hardest part of the job at first was me being social. But thankfully everyone I knew there helped me over come that. Soon after I would say the most hardest thing is to keep up with very task schedules and, masking sure everything was done in time as well in a professional quality. This was especially difficult when we were under-staff. Probably the hugest thing I learned from this job was to be more social. I have always been really shy until this job. Just getting to talk to my co-workers at first to have that develop into interacting with customers is a huge accomplishment.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Cook 126 salaries reported	$22.35 per hour
Cashier 89 salaries reported	$20.98 per hour
Food clerk 84 salaries reported	$21.03 per hour
Meat clerk 86 salaries reported	$20.99 per hour
Lead cashier 72 salaries reported	$21.78 per hour

Working at New Seasons Market: Company Overview and Reviews

New Seasons Market

New Seasons Market Ratings

Popular jobs at New Seasons Market

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected