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Produce Department Manager at Hy-Vee · Iowa…
Job Description
Produce Department Manager
Location: Iowa City #1, Waterfront Dr, Iowa City, IA
Additional Considerations (if any):
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At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.
Job Description:
Job Title: Produce Department Manager
Department: Produce
FLSA: Salary
Revision Date: 07/2026
About Hy-Vee
At Hy-Vee, we believe the shortest distance between two people is a smile. We're seeking people with a passion for customer service, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to being part of a team that strives to make our customers' lives easier, healthier and happier.
The Role and Why It's Important
At Hy-Vee, the produce department sets the tone for the entire store, and the Produce Department Manager is the person who makes it shine. In this role, you'll set the standard for freshness, quality, customer service, and team performance while managing all aspects of department operations. From building displays and writing ads to developing your team and driving profitability, your leadership has a direct impact on how customers experience Hy-Vee every day.
If you're a motivated leader with a passion for fresh product, a sharp eye for detail, and a talent for building great teams, we'd love to have you on board.
What You'll Do
No two shifts are exactly the same, but here's what you can expect:
Set the standard for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and overall department profitability
Create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere by modeling great customer service and encouraging your team to do the same
Greet customers warmly, assist them with their needs, and handle and resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop all department employees
Determine department goals in partnership with the Store Director and establish weekly schedules and daily work plans
Supervise salad bar employees by planning, scheduling, and overseeing the overall operation, including conducting inventory
Inspect signage, displays, and merchandise for quality and quantity; order product for replenishment and ensure competitive pricing
Analyze weekly and monthly sales and trends, prepare ad projections, and write ads
Plan displays, promotions, and determine pre-orders to drive sales and customer engagement
Manage department bookkeeping, including extending and posting invoices and overseeing financial procedures
Conduct department inventory and ensure proper temperatures and storage procedures are maintained to guarantee freshness and control shrink
Understand and troubleshoot department equipment and ensure maintenance is performed as needed
Unload trucks, check in delivered merchandise, and place product in appropriate storage areas
Have authority to approve employee discipline and recommend transfers, discharges, and salary changes
Attend meetings, seminars, and continuing education as assigned
Answer the phone promptly and provide friendly, helpful service to customers who call, including taking product orders
Follow Hy-Vee's dress code, hygiene standards, and all department and company guidelines
Pitch in with departmental duties and other tasks or special projects as they come up
Your Skills
To be successful in this role, you'll need to be able to:
Bring commitment to Hy-Vee's mission and a genuine passion for delivering an outstanding customer and team experience
Lead, motivate, and develop a team while maintaining high standards in a fast-paced retail environment
Solve practical problems and make sound decisions with a variety of variables and limited standardization
Apply math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages to pricing, sales analysis, and inventory tasks
Communicate clearly and professionally through written correspondence, interviews, and daily interactions with customers, employees, and vendors
Analyze sales data and trends to make informed decisions about product, promotions, and department operations
Handle confidential information including employee compensation, sales and profit sheets, inventory reports, and warehouse pricing with discretion
Reporting Relationships
Accountable and Reports to: Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of GM, Perishables, and Store Operations
Direct Reports: Produce Department Employees
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent experience
On-the-job training plus produce and sanitation courses required
Over one year of related work experience preferred
Physical Requirements
Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing 100 pounds or more, with or without mechanical assistance
Continuously stand and walk on hard surfaces for extended periods
Where applicable to the role: ability to operate pallet jacks, forklifts, or similar material-handling equipment (required operator certification must be completed prior to independent use)
Work in cooler or freezer environments for extended periods
Where applicable to the role: ability to safely use sharp knives and blades to cut, trim, or grind product
Where applicable to the role, and in accordance with applicable age and legal requirements: operate a cardboard baler or compactor
Where applicable to the role: perform repetitive motions associated with dough mixing, scaling, and proofing
Ability to unload, lift, stock, and rotate incoming truck freight and merchandise
Working Environment
This is a fast-moving role where things stay busy and engaging. You'll work in the produce department and can expect frequent exposure to temperature extremes and dampness, as well as possible equipment movement hazards from a pallet jack, electrical equipment, and cleaning chemicals and solvents. Safety is always a priority, and training is provided to help ensure a safe and supportive work environment.
Are you ready to smile, apply today.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.