Ross Stores is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects our core values, drives our business forward, and strengthens the communities we serve. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and developing talented individuals at every level of our organization through comprehensive programs designed to support your career journey.
Comprehensive Training and Development Programs at Ross Stores
At Ross Stores, we believe in empowering our Associates to excel and reach their full potential through continuous learning and development. Our extensive training programs offer a variety of opportunities for Associates, managers, and executives to achieve their career aspirations. These opportunities include:
- e-Learning Classes: Access a vast library of online courses covering a wide range of skills and topics.
- Instructor-Led Courses: Participate in interactive sessions led by experienced instructors.
- On-the-Job Training: Gain practical skills and knowledge through hands-on experience in your role.
- Feedback and Coaching: Receive regular guidance and support from managers and mentors to enhance your performance.
- Career Development Programs: Explore pathways for advancement and growth within the company.
Our training approach is personalized, starting from day one with individual development plans that complement our structured training courses. We utilize a blend of in-person training, digital learning platforms, and engaging activities. In 2023 alone, Ross Associates completed over two million e-Learning courses, demonstrating our commitment to continuous learning.
We understand that each area of our business requires specialized skills and knowledge. Therefore, we provide tailored training to equip Associates for success in diverse roles:
- Buying Offices: We utilize an “Apprenticeship Model” where learning happens directly on the job under the guidance of experienced managers. This hands-on approach is supplemented by instructor-led training and e-Learning, with managers providing real-time coaching and feedback to reinforce core competencies.
- Corporate Office: Associates at all levels have access to a wealth of learning resources to support their professional development. This includes live events, technology and leadership bootcamps, and instructor-led courses designed to build a broad spectrum of skills.
- Store Leadership: Our “Lead Your Career” program provides new Store Leaders with structured formal and on-the-job training, coupled with ongoing coaching and feedback from seasoned leaders to ensure a smooth transition and effective leadership. New retail Associates benefit from both e-Learning modules and practical on-the-job training, supported by experienced peer Associates.
- Distribution Centers: The Distribution Center Supervisor in Training (SIT) program is specifically designed to cultivate future leaders. This intensive program combines skill-based training with practical, on-the-job experience. SITs are mentored by both Managers and Supervisors, learning essential leadership skills, key performance metrics, best practices, and operational processes. They also gain valuable experience by coaching their own teams of Associates.
Recognizing the diversity of our workforce, several Distribution Centers offer on-site Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. This initiative promotes effective communication and breaks down language barriers, while offering Associates the opportunity to develop valuable language skills.
Ross Stores actively recruits top talent from college campuses nationwide for our immersive internship programs within our Buying Offices. Discover more about these exciting opportunities by visiting the Campus section of our Careers website.
For further details about our dedication to training and development, please visit our Careers website.
Fostering Talent Growth Within Ross Stores
At Ross Stores, we are not just offering jobs; we are building careers. We are deeply invested in the professional growth of our Associates, recognizing it as crucial to our continued success. We have identified key competencies that are essential for our business model and for delivering exceptional value to our customers. These competencies form the foundation of our team development strategies.
We take immense pride in the fact that many of our current managers and executives have risen through the ranks, starting their careers as hourly Associates. In 2023, an impressive 80% of our Store Leaders, including Area Supervisors, Assistant Store Managers, and Store Managers, began their Ross or dd’s DISCOUNTS journey as hourly retail Associates. Within our Distribution Centers, over 60% of supervisors and managers were promoted from within.
Alt text: A Ross Store Associate is shown helping a customer, highlighting the customer-focused environment and potential career paths at Ross Stores.
Freida, now Vice President of Domestic Inbound Transportation, exemplifies this career growth. She joined Ross in 2001 and now manages the crucial coordination of merchandise pick-ups and timely delivery to Distribution Centers. Drawn to Ross after visiting a new store, Freida initially joined the Supply Chain team as an Inbound Domestic Planner. Through dedication and diverse roles in logistics, she advanced to VP in 2022. Freida attributes her long tenure to the supportive Ross culture, consistent recognition, and collaborative team environment.
“The challenging moments in your career do not define you, they build you. There are so many great leaders at dd’s and Ross, and so much opportunity for growth.”
— Ileana, Zone Director
Ileana, now a dd’s DISCOUNTS Zone Director, started her Ross career 19 years ago as a part-time seasonal Associate after high school, initially aiming to save for a car. She progressed through numerous roles before her promotion to Zone Director in 2022. Ileana credits continuous feedback from senior leaders for her leadership development and is now passionate about providing similar growth opportunities to other Associates.
Ross Stores is firmly committed to supporting the career advancement of our Associates. We provide targeted training and experience for those aspiring to leadership roles, ensuring they have the tools to succeed. In 2023, 72% of managerial openings in Stores and field leadership positions were filled through internal promotions. Company-wide, 36% of supervisors and above were promoted last year, demonstrating our strong commitment to internal talent development.
Explore more about career opportunities at Ross Stores and read inspiring career journeys of our Associates on our Careers website.
- 80% of Store leaders started as hourly retail Associates in 2023.
- 72% of managerial openings in Stores and Field Offices were filled through internal promotions in 2023.
Hiring Locally and Strengthening Communities
Ross Stores is dedicated to supporting local economies and residents in the communities where we operate. When opening new Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS stores, or Distribution Centers, we prioritize hiring from the local community. In fiscal year 2023, we opened 97 new stores, creating 3,200 new jobs across the nation.
Alt text: The exterior of a Ross Store is shown with a prominent “Now Hiring” banner, illustrating Ross Stores’ active recruitment and job opportunities.
To fill these and other open positions, we actively host job fairs and collaborate with community organizations and agencies such as the YMCA and local Employment Development Department Offices to connect with local talent.
As highlighted in our Diversity, Equality, & Inclusion section, we embrace an inclusive hiring approach. We strive to reach a diverse pool of candidates from all backgrounds, including various races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and life experiences. We consider criminal history information only after extending a job offer, allowing us to assess the broadest range of applicants while ensuring workplace safety and security. For candidates with criminal histories, we conduct individualized assessments, considering additional information provided by the applicant before making any employment decisions, even beyond legal requirements. For the majority of positions, a college degree is not mandatory, and we offer educational support for Associates who wish to further their education. We also proactively provide accommodations for candidates and Associates with disabilities.
- 97 new Stores opened in 2023.
- 3,200 jobs created by new store openings in 2023.
Military Recruiting Program: Honoring Service and Experience
Ross Stores proudly supports members of the U.S. Armed Services transitioning to civilian careers. Our Military Recruiting Program recognizes that veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses possess valuable teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills that align perfectly with our company culture and talent needs.
Alt text: A diverse group of Ross Associates, including veterans, are pictured, emphasizing Ross Stores’ commitment to military recruitment and inclusive workplace.
Our Military Recruiting Program offers diverse entry points across our company, matching service experience and interests with various roles. Ross partners with numerous organizations to support the hiring and assistance of veterans and military spouses. We have signed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve statement, affirming our commitment to military Associates and the unique value they bring. We have also proudly supported the Military Spouse Employment Partnership program of the U.S. Department of Defense since 2014.
In fiscal year 2023, we hired over 1,800 veterans and 1,000 military spouses. Over the past five years, Ross Stores has hired over 15,000 veterans and military spouses, underscoring our long-term commitment.
Learn more about our Military Recruiting Program on our Careers website.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment
Ross Stores is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. For detailed information, please refer to our full EEO statement. Our EEO-1 report data table is available in the Diversity, Equality, & Inclusion section of our website.
(Note: image-url-1.jpg, image-url-2.jpg, and image-url-3.jpg are placeholders. In a real implementation, these would be replaced with actual URLs to relevant images from the original website or appropriate stock photos. Alt text is created to be descriptive, relevant to the context, and incorporate keywords.)
