Discover the positions available, the salaries, the requirements and the complete step by step to apply for job openings at Ara.

Finding a formal job in Colombia can feel discouraging, especially when almost every listing seems to ask for a university degree or years of previous experience.

The good news is that the low-cost retail sector works differently. Store chains hire constantly, train on the job and open doors to people with very different backgrounds.

Ara is one of the clearest examples of that. The chain has been opening stores across the country at a fast pace, and every new location means new people behind the counter, in the aisles and in the warehouses.

Want to know which positions are open, how much they pay and exactly how to apply? Keep reading, because this guide walks you through the whole process.

Ara: the neighborhood store chain behind thousands of jobs

Ara is the Colombian retail brand of Jerónimo Martins, a Portuguese group with more than two centuries of history in food distribution and retail.

The company started its operation in Colombia in 2012 and opened its first store in Pereira in 2013, with a simple promise: quality food at low prices, every single day of the year.

Instead of huge hypermarkets, Ara built its model around small neighborhood stores. That format requires compact teams in each location, spread across hundreds of towns and cities.

More than 95% of the food products sold come from Colombian suppliers, which means the brand also supports jobs far beyond its own payroll.

Why Ara keeps hiring throughout the year

The main reason behind the constant flow of job openings at Ara is straightforward: the chain keeps growing, and growth requires people.

The company closed 2025 with 225 new store openings, surpassing 1,650 locations nationwide, and it now operates in more than 350 municipalities across 28 departments.

In that same period, Jerónimo Martins created over 3,400 new direct jobs in Colombia, reaching a team of more than 19,000 employees, supported by 12 distribution centers.

The expansion has not slowed down. New stores continue to open in regions such as the Coffee Axis and Antioquia, and each opening brings a fresh round of local hiring.

Job openings at Ara: the main positions available

The vacancies published by the company cover two big areas: stores and logistics. Within them, there are roles for beginners and roles for people ready to lead a team.

Understanding what each position actually involves helps you apply for the one that matches your profile, which increases your chances of moving forward in the process.

Store Operator

This is the most common vacancy and the usual entry point into the company. The role covers customer service, cash register operation, product organization and sales support.

Educational requirements are flexible, going from basic primary school all the way to professional level, which makes it accessible to a very wide audience.

Schedules are organized in rotating shifts covering morning, afternoon and night, with one day off during the week. Part-time and weekend-only options also appear in some cities.

Junior Supervisor or Store Leader

This position sits one step above the operator role and involves shift responsibility, cash handling, customer service and support with store sales.

Candidates usually need at least six months of previous experience, ideally in retail, customer service or any role involving direct contact with the public.

It is a natural next step for people who already work in stores and want more responsibility, and many employees reach it through internal promotion.

Store Manager

The store manager leads the full team, organizes shift schedules and answers for the operational and commercial results of the location.

Daily tasks include inventory control, product rotation, operational quality, customer service and the development of the people working in the store.

Experience is more relevant here, generally starting at one year in similar roles, along with availability for rotating shifts from Monday to Sunday.

Warehouse and Logistics Assistant

Distribution centers keep the stores supplied, and they need teams for receiving, unloading, preparing and dispatching merchandise.

The profile requested is usually a high school graduate or technical background, with up to six months of experience and willingness to handle physical work.

Shifts rotate throughout the week with one day off, and these roles frequently include transportation allowance or company route, plus meal support.

Distribution center and office positions

Beyond the store floor, the company also hires for administrative and specialized areas such as human resources, finance, data analysis and supply chain.

These vacancies are less frequent and more competitive, and they usually require technical or professional training in the corresponding field.

They are worth monitoring if you already have qualifications in one of these areas and want to enter the retail sector through a corporate path.

How much does Ara pay? Salaries and allowances

Salaries vary according to the position, the city and the specific store, but the vacancies published in 2026 give a clear reference of what to expect.

For context, the Colombian minimum wage in 2026 was set at $1,750,905 per month, with a transportation allowance of $249,095 for those who qualify.

Position	Reference salary	Experience	Education
Store Operator	$1,750,905 + allowances	About 6 months	Basic primary to professional
Warehouse Logistics Assistant	$1,750,905 + allowances	Up to 6 months	High school or technical
Junior Supervisor / Store Leader	$2,036,000 + allowances	Minimum 6 months	Basic primary to professional
Warehouse Store Supervisor	$2,050,000 + bonuses	Minimum 6 months	Basic primary to professional

On top of the base salary, positions normally include a meal allowance, transportation support or company route, and all legal social benefits.

Keep in mind that these figures reflect vacancies published during 2026 and may change according to the region, the contract and the company’s own policies. Always confirm the current values in the official listing before applying.

Benefits of working at Ara beyond the salary

One of the strongest arguments in favor of these vacancies is the type of contract. Positions at Ara are generally offered under indefinite-term contracts, which brings stability.

The company also invests in retention, which means employees gain access to a package of benefits that grows over time instead of staying frozen at the hiring date.

Among the benefits mentioned in official job descriptions and company communications, you can usually find:

• Indefinite-term contract with all legal social benefits
• Meal allowance and, in many cases, transportation support or company route
• Seniority bonus after the first year of employment
• Productivity bonuses linked to results
• Employee fund with financial support options
• Ara Fiado, which allows employees to purchase store products on credit
• Structured internal growth paths between store roles

For many workers, that combination matters as much as the monthly figure, because it turns a job into a career with visible next steps.

Requirements: who can apply for job openings at Ara

The requirements are deliberately broad, and that is exactly what makes these vacancies attractive for people entering or returning to the job market.

For store positions, education can start at basic primary level, and the company accepts candidates all the way up to professional training in the same listing.

Previous experience of around six months is often requested, usually in customer service or retail, although some vacancies explicitly accept candidates without experience.

The most decisive factor tends to be availability. Stores open every day, so willingness to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays makes a real difference in the selection process.

The company also publishes inclusive vacancies aimed at people with disabilities, so it is worth checking whether a listing carries that specific note.

Documents and how to prepare your application

Having your paperwork ready before you apply saves time and prevents you from losing a good opportunity because of a missing document.

A well-organized profile also signals reliability, which matters a lot in roles involving cash handling and direct customer contact.

Essential documents

The basic list usually includes your cédula de ciudadanía, an updated hoja de vida, proof of your educational level and, when applicable, work certificates from previous employers.

Some processes also request references, proof of address and documents related to social security affiliation, depending on the city and the specific role.

Scan everything and keep the files on your phone or in cloud storage, because online platforms will ask you to upload them during the application.

How to build a hoja de vida that stands out in retail

Keep it short and direct, ideally one page, with your contact details clearly visible at the top and no unnecessary decoration.

Highlight anything involving customer service, cash handling, teamwork, stock organization or physical work, even if it came from informal experience.

State your availability explicitly. Writing that you can work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays puts you ahead of candidates who leave that unclear.

How to apply for job openings at Ara: step by step

Applications are handled online, and the process is simple once you know where to look and what each stage expects from you.

Follow the sequence below to avoid outdated listings and to keep your application visible to recruiters.

1. Access the official careers page

Start at the company’s official careers section by clicking the button below. It gathers opportunities for stores, distribution centers and offices in one place.

From there you can browse role descriptions and understand what each position involves before committing to an application.

2. Search by city and position

Filter the listings by your city or municipality and by the role that matches your profile, such as store operator or logistics assistant.

Applying close to home is a practical advantage, since availability for rotating shifts becomes much easier when your commute is short.

3. Create your profile and upload your hoja de vida

Vacancies are frequently published through employment platforms such as Magneto and Computrabajo, where you create a free account and complete your personal data.

Fill in every field, upload your updated hoja de vida and review the information carefully, because incomplete profiles are often filtered out automatically.

4. Apply and follow the process

Select the vacancy and confirm your application. You will normally receive a confirmation message, and contact may come by phone, email or WhatsApp.

Activate job alerts so you receive new openings in your area as soon as they are published, since popular vacancies fill quickly.

5. Prepare for the interview

Some processes include in-person group interviews, especially during store openings or seasonal hiring campaigns in specific regions.

Arrive on time, dress neatly, bring printed copies of your documents and be ready to talk about how you handle customers and busy shifts.

Beware of job scams using Ara’s name

Wherever there are popular vacancies, there are also people trying to take advantage of job seekers, and retail hiring is a frequent target.

Legitimate selection processes never charge candidates. Any request for payment in exchange for a vacancy, a training course or an interview slot is a warning sign.

Watch out for these common red flags:

• Requests for money for uniforms, exams, courses or “processing fees”
• Guaranteed hiring without an interview or any evaluation
• Contact from personal accounts and unofficial links sent by message
• Requests for bank passwords, card details or verification codes
• Offers with salaries far above the market for entry-level roles

If something looks suspicious, stop the conversation and confirm the vacancy directly through the official careers page or a recognized employment platform.

Tips to increase your chances of getting hired

Applying to a single vacancy and waiting is the most common mistake. Send applications to several stores and positions that fit your profile.

Keep your platform profile active and updated, because recruiters often search their own databases before publishing a new listing publicly.

Pay attention to seasonal hiring waves. New store openings and high-demand periods generate a large volume of vacancies in a short window of time.

Finally, show flexibility. Candidates who accept rotating shifts, part-time schedules or weekend-only contracts get called far more often than those with rigid availability.

Conclusion

Job openings at Ara represent a realistic path into formal employment for people with different levels of education and experience across Colombia.

With accessible requirements, indefinite-term contracts, salaries aligned with or above the minimum wage and a solid benefits package, these vacancies deserve serious attention.

The key is preparation. Organize your documents, build a clear hoja de vida, apply through official channels and stay alert to new openings in your area.

Enjoyed this guide? Then keep exploring your options and discover the vacancies, salaries and application process at another giant of Colombian low-cost retail in the article below about job openings at Tiendas D1.