Produce Department Manager

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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: Hourly

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.

Join our team