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 SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

Company paid YMCA Family Membership

What You’ll do

The Director of Talent Acquisition is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing Rural King’s full-cycle recruiting processes across the company. This position leads the companywide team of recruiters, drives our employer brand strategy, and ensures we consistently attract and hire top-tier talent to support our long-term growth. This leader will collaborate with senior executives, HR business partners, and department leaders to develop and implement effective talent acquisition strategies.

• Develop and execute innovative talent acquisition strategies aligned with Rural King’s mission, vision, and values.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of recruiters across all business areas.
• Oversee full-cycle recruiting activities, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and hiring for roles ranging from entry-level to executive.
• Build strong partnerships with hiring managers and HR leaders to forecast talent needs and proactively build candidate pipelines.
• Implement and refine recruitment metrics, tools, and systems to measure effectiveness, quality of hire, and time-to-fill.
• Champion Rural King’s employer brand and candidate experience by promoting hiring practices that emphasize cultural alignment with our mission, values, and connection to the rural communities we serve.
• Embed servant leadership principles into hiring strategies by identifying and attracting candidates who demonstrate humility, accountability, and a genuine commitment to serving others.
• Develop external partnerships and pipelines through career fairs, universities, community outreach, and networking.
• Lead executive-level and critical role recruitment efforts.
• Ensure job requirements are clearly defined and aligned with Rural King’s values and performance expectations.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable labor laws and company policies related to recruiting and hiring.
• Collaborate with HR peers in Total Rewards, HR Operations, and Associate Relations to deliver a seamless candidate-to-associate experience.
• Provide strategic insights on labor market trends and talent acquisition best practices.
• Leverage data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Participate in leadership development programs and lead by example in line with Rural King’s Thrive Leadership Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes

Essential Qualities for Success

• Minimum of 10 years of talent acquisition or HR leadership experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience managing recruiting teams and full-cycle recruitment strategies across multiple business functions and levels.
• Professional Human Resources or Recruiting certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Strong knowledge of recruiting tools, trends, and social platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.).
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• High level of confidentiality, professionalism, and accountability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support recruiting efforts and build team engagement.

Physical Requirements  

• Ability to maintain a seated or standing position for extended periods.
• Capability to periodically lift 15 pounds.
• Ability to navigate and access all facilities.
• Skill to effectively communicate verbally with others, both in-person and via electronic devices.
• Close vision for computer-related activities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The pay range for this position is $100,000 - $140,000 annualized and is bonus eligible. Exact compensation is determined by factors such as relevant geographic location, education, certifications, experience, job level, shift, and organizational needs. To learn more about our benefits, review here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:14539c15-191a-4b77-9c13-f6ccfce10094.