Jeb Kratzig – General Manager & Team Leader

Jeb A. Kratzig is a general manager with nearly twenty years of leadership experience in high-volume retail operations. His leadership approach emphasizes accountability, structure, and trust, which have allowed him to guide teams toward consistent performance. He has managed multiple store locations throughout his career, promoted employees into leadership positions, and improved profitability through strategic

planning and disciplined execution. He is respected for stabilizing underperforming teams, developing long-term talent, and maintaining strong results in fast-paced environments.

Early Life

Born in 1978 in Bellingham, Washington, he was active in athletics from an early age. He was named the 1996 Bellingham Herald Football Player of the Year in high school and earned All-State Quarterback honors in 1997. These achievements reflected his discipline and teamwork, later defining his professional leadership.

Career Beginnings

Jeb Kratzig began his career in the grocery and retail industry in 2008. By 2009, he had stepped into leadership, quickly demonstrating his ability to manage operations and build effective teams. His early roles in Washington and California exposed him to diverse challenges, including scheduling complexities, customer demands, and employee development. These experiences shaped the foundation of his leadership style.

General Manager Role

Since 2014, he has served as a General Manager. He currently leads a retail operation in Cathedral City, California, overseeing over 90 employees across multiple shifts. He coordinates assistant managers, senior crew members, and floor leads to ensure clear communication and consistent execution. Managing a workforce of this size requires a balance of scheduling expertise, operational discipline, and people development.

Operational Leadership

Jeb’s strength lies in his ability to keep multiple departments aligned. He ensures that teams remain integrated and avoids isolating operations. His cross-functional leadership style reduces inefficiencies and ensures smooth store performance, even during busy or unpredictable periods. By applying systems thinking, he manages inventory, labor models, seasonal ordering, and merchandising execution. His adjustments to scheduling and forecasting have contributed to reduced waste, improved efficiency, and increased profitability.

Developing People

Employee development is central to his leadership philosophy. His stores have consistently achieved turnover rates lower than national averages. Over his career, he has helped promote more than 15 employees into leadership positions. He identifies potential early, provides coaching based on daily performance, and holds employees accountable through clear expectations. His model builds trust and allows employees to grow while meeting operational needs.

Coaching and Conflict Management

Jeb is effective in communication and conflict resolution. He addresses problems early, offers clear reasoning, and creates dialogue without losing focus on the outcome. His coaching includes real-time feedback and scheduled development sessions tied to specific goals. He also trains employees in deescalation techniques, ensuring teams can confidently manage customer concerns.

Recognition and Achievements

In 2017, Jeb was recognized as Captain of the Year, a company-level award that acknowledged his leadership, operational success, and positive team impact. He has been nominated for the award multiple times, reflecting his consistent contributions over several years.

Adaptability in Retail

Retail is an ever-changing environment, but Jeb has demonstrated the ability to manage complexity without complication. He prepares his teams to adapt to shifting conditions while maintaining stability. His leadership style avoids micromanagement, instead relying on clear standards, accountability, and trust. Employees are given ownership of their work while supported through oversight and structure.

Personal Life

Outside of his career, Jeb Kratzig lives in La Quinta, California, with his wife, whom he married in 2016. He maintains a regular fitness routine centered on strength training and follows football closely. He supports the Washington Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks, continuing his lifelong connection to the sport.