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 Assistant 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, our produce department is one of the first things customers see when they walk through the door, and the Produce Assistant Department Manager helps make sure it always makes a great impression. In this role, you'll partner with the Department Manager to keep the department running smoothly, from ensuring product freshness and managing the sales floor to training employees and stepping in to lead when needed.
Your knowledge of produce, commitment to quality, and passion for customer service directly shape the experience our customers have every day. If you're someone who takes pride in fresh product, enjoys leading a team, and is ready to grow your career with a company that invests in its people, 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:
Deliver outstanding customer service by greeting every customer warmly, assisting them with their needs, and sharing your knowledge of produce items and their uses
Ensure department standards are consistently met, including product freshness, rotation, replenishment, and proper refrigeration temperatures
Set and reset sales areas to promote products effectively and keep the department looking its best
Coordinate and troubleshoot operations in the salad bar and juice bar area
Stay current on produce-related topics such as pricing philosophy, seasonal availability, weather impacts, and market trends
Unload product, check in deliveries, verify accuracy, and log invoices as needed
Assist with inventory and order product at the Produce Manager's discretion
Assist with all aspects of the fruit and holiday basket program
Stock aisles, break down pallets, restack the cooler at day's end, and transport product to the floor
Train new employees and support the ongoing development of the department team
Instruct, assign, and review the work of others; coordinate activities and allocate personnel as needed
Handle and resolve customer and vendor issues promptly and professionally on a daily basis
Assume management responsibilities in the absence of the Department Manager
Practice proper sanitation procedures and keep the work area clean, neat, and compliant with all department and company guidelines
Answer the phone promptly and provide friendly, helpful service to customers who call
Follow Hy-Vee's dress code, hygiene standards, and all department and company guidelines
Pitch in with 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
Solve practical problems and make sound decisions with a variety of variables and limited standardization
Apply math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages in day-to-day tasks
Lead, train, and support a team in a fast-paced retail environment
Communicate clearly with customers, team members, and vendors and provide basic direction and guidance
Demonstrate strong knowledge of produce products and the ability to share that knowledge confidently with customers
Handle confidential information including pricing and sales with discretion
Reporting Relationships
Accountable and Reports to: Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Perishables, Store Operations, Health Wellness Home; Produce Department Manager
Direct Reports: Produce Clerks
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent experience
Food safety training encouraged
Over one year of similar or related 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 cool temperatures 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.