Director of People

About us

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 150 locations across 17 states and is constantly expanding
. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion
, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee
. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally
, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

How we reward you

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%

Healthcare plans to support your needs

Virtual doctor visits

Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program

15% Associate Discount

Dave Ramsey’s Smart Dollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

Company paid YMCA Family Membership

The Director of People is a Human Resources leadership role responsible for advancing Rural King’s people strategy across Store Support Human Resources and Company wide Talent Acquisition. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Human Resources, this role serves as a key strategic partner in aligning people initiatives with business priorities while strengthening our mission-driven, servant leadership culture. This leader collaborates closely with executive leadership to attract, develop, engage, and retain top talent.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with Rural King’s mission, vision, values, and long-term growth objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, talent strategy, and culture initiatives.
• Champion servant leadership principles and embed them into hiring, development, and associate engagement strategies.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across HR, Operations, Finance, and Executive teams.
• Participate in leadership development programs and lead by example in line with Rural King’s Thrive Leadership Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Store Support Human Resources

• Provide strategic and operational HR leadership for the Store Support Center.
• Oversee associate relations, performance management, engagement, compliance, and associate experience initiatives.
• Ensure policies, practices, and procedures align with company values and applicable labor laws.
• Partner with HR peers in Total Rewards, HR Operations, and Field HR to deliver a consistent and seamless associate experience.
• Lead leadership development and succession planning efforts for Store Support leaders.

Company wide Talent Acquisition

• Lead and optimize Rural King’s full-cycle recruiting strategy across all business functions and levels.
• Develop innovative sourcing and employer branding strategies to attract top-tier talent aligned with our culture.
• Oversee recruitment metrics including quality of hire, time-to-fill, workforce planning accuracy, and candidate experience.
• Build strong partnerships with hiring managers to forecast talent needs and proactively develop pipelines.
• Ensure executive and critical-role recruitment is strategic, timely, and aligned with long-term business goals.
• Leverage data and analytics to drive continuous improvement in talent acquisition outcomes.

Yes

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR leadership experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to lead multiple HR functions and teams.
• Profess…