Dairy Department Manager

Hy-Vee Inc; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Hy-Vee Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA, seeks a Dairy Department Manager to lead a high-traffic Dairy team and ensure fresh, well-stocked products.

You’ll set department standards, manage scheduling, train staff, and analyze sales trends to plan promotions, all while delivering outstanding customer service and maintaining department profitability. This role requires strong leadership, hands-on supervision, and the ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment; previous retail management experience

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ years of related work experience preferred.
• Strong customer service and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Set department standards for service, cleanliness, and profitability.
• Lead, train, and appraise Dairy Department staff.

Skills

Customer service

Team leadership

Problem solving

Math and counting

Effective communication

Discretion with confidential data

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Pallet jacks

Forklifts

Point-of-sale systems

Job description

Additional Considerations (if any): 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: Dairy Department Manager
Department: Dairy
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

As the Dairy Department Manager at Hy-Vee, you’ll lead one of our highest-traffic departments and make sure customers always find fresh, well-stocked products when they need them. From managing your team and setting department standards to analyzing sales trends and planning promotions, your leadership directly shapes the customer experience and the department’s success. If you’re someone who leads by example, takes pride in running a tight ship, and enjoys developing a team that delivers great results, this role is a great fit for you.

What You’ll Do

• Set and uphold department standards for customer service, cleanliness, sanitation, team relations, and overall profitability
• Build a friendly, welcoming atmosphere by encouraging your team to greet and engage with customers and leading by example
• Assist customers with finding products, reaching items, carrying heavy purchases, and going the extra mile to make their visit a great one
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate department employees, and handle performance and disciplinary matters as needed
• Coordinate scheduling, daily work plans, and department goals in partnership with store leadership
• Oversee ordering, replenishment, pricing, invoicing, and department bookkeeping
• Analyze weekly and monthly sales trends, prepare ad projections, and plan promotions and displays
• Ensure proper product temperatures, storage procedures, and freshness standards to minimize shrink
• Understand and troubleshoot department equipment and coordinate maintenance as needed
• Conduct department inventory and manage product pre-orders
• Maintain compliance with Hy-Vee’s dress code, hygiene standards, and all company policies
• Assist in other store areas and take on special projects as needed

You’ll receive direction and support from:

• District Store Director, Store Manager, and Assistant Managers of Store Operations, Perishables, and Health Wellness Home

Your Skills

• Deliver outstanding customer service and inspire your team to do the same
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team in a fast-paced retail environment
• Solve practical problems and make sound decisions with a variety of variables
• Use basic math skills, including fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally with customers, employees, and vendors
• Handle confidential information, including employee compensation, sales data, and inventory reports, with discretion
• High school diploma or equivalent required; one or more years of related work experience preferred

Reporting Relationships

Accountable and Reports to: Store Director, Store Manager, and Assistant Managers of Store Operations, Perishables, and Health Wellness Home Direct Reports: Dairy Department Employees

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required One or more years 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, hands-on role where no two days are the same. You may frequently work in areas with temperature extremes and dampness, which is standard for a dairy environment. The role also involves working with and around standard store equipment and may include exposure to electrical equipment, cleaning products, or solvents. Safety is always a priority, and training is provided to help ensure a safe and supportive work environment.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.