Hy-Chi Department Lead - Fresh Food & Team Growth

Hy-Vee; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Hy-Vee in Waterloo, IA is seeking a Hy-Chi Assistant Department Manager to help oversee daily operations, partner with the Department Manager, and ensure the freshest, highest quality product is always ready for customers.

In this hands-on leadership role you’ll direct production schedules, lead and develop the team, manage catering tasks, and uphold food safety standards while delivering outstanding customer service.

Qualifications

• Bring commitment to Hy‑Vee’s mission and a genuine passion for delivering an outstanding customer and team experience.
• Lead, train, and support a team in a fast-paced food service environment.
• 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.
• Stay organized and manage multiple priorities including production schedules, staffing, and inventory simultaneously.
• Communicate clearly with customers, team members, and vendors and provide basic direction and guidance.
• Handle confidential information including gross percentage, sales, and employee wages with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding customer service by greeting every customer warmly, assisting with their needs, and handling and resolving customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Check orders for the day, set up timelines and production schedules, and review the daily production list with department employees, assigning tasks for completion.
• Scan the department for items and issues that need to be addressed including coffee, fresh cases, cleanliness, kitchen and prep area repairs, and safety concerns.
• Ensure food display case product is rotated and replenished and that all perishable product is rotated with every delivery.
• Monitor staffing levels to ensure the proper amount of team members are available to handle customer needs.
• Control inventory through constant monitoring of products and order all products and supplies for the department.
• Handle catering contracts and assist in putting items together for catering as needed.
• Suggest ad items, in‑store specials, and intercom messages for the department; review and order signage.
• Assist with monthly inventory including posting invoices, helping with counts, and calculating intra and inter‑store figures.
• Monitor schedules, track hours for minors, and manage department overtime.
• Train department employees and write schedules; calculate clerk production amounts as needed.
• Instruct, assign, and review the work of others; coordinate activities and allocate personnel as needed.
• Assume management responsibilities in the absence of the Department Manager.
• Follow all food safety guidelines and ensure department employees comply.
• Keep the supply area clean and orderly and maintain proper sanitation procedures throughout the department.
• 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 other tasks or special projects as they come up

Skills

Commitment to mission

Team leadership

Problem solving

Math skills

Organization

Communication

Discretion with confidential info

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Food safety & sanitation courses encouraged

1 year related experience preferred

Job description

Hy-Vee in Waterloo, IA is seeking a Hy-Chi Assistant Department Manager to help oversee daily operations, partner with the Department Manager, and ensure the freshest, highest quality product is always ready for customers.

In this hands-on leadership role you’ll direct production schedules, lead and develop the team, manage catering tasks, and uphold food safety standards while delivering outstanding customer service.