Market Grille Assistant Department Manager

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

Job summary

Hy-Vee in Waukee, IA is seeking a Market Grille Assistant Department Manager to keep one of the store's busiest departments running smoothly. You'll partner with the Department Manager to deliver fresh, high‑quality food, supervise staff, manage daily operations, and ensure food safety and excellent customer service in a fast‑paced environment.

This hands‑on leadership role requires night and weekend shifts, offers growth opportunities, and calls for strong communication, teamwork, and a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Sanitation and food safety coursework encouraged.
• One year of similar or related experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide prompt, friendly customer service, greeting customers with a smile, learning their names, and going the extra mile to make every interaction a great one.
• Check daily orders, set up production timelines, and review the production list with department employees, assigning tasks for completion.
• Scan the Market Grille area for items and areas that need attention, including coffee, the salad case, cleanliness, kitchen repairs, and safety issues, and assign tasks to staff accordingly.
• Ensure food display cases are rotated and replenished and that the proper amount of staff are on hand to meet customer needs.
• Monitor schedules, track hours for 14 and 15 year olds, and manage department overtime.
• Control inventory through constant product monitoring, rotate all perishable product with every delivery, and keep the supply area clean and orderly.
• Handle catering contracts and assist in putting together catering items, calculating portions as needed.
• Follow all food safety guidelines and ensure department employees remain in compliance.
• Handle and resolve customer issues with care and professionalism.
• Suggest ad items and in-store specials, review and order department signage, and prepare intercom messages.
• Assist with monthly inventory including posting invoices, counts, and intra and inter-store calculations.
• Order all products and supplies for the department and train employees in department duties.
• Assume management duties in the absence of the Department Manager.
• Work closely with Restaurant and Service staff and assist in other areas of the store as needed.
• Maintain strict adherence to personal hygiene, dress standards, and all Hy-Vee policies and store guidelines.
• Report to work when scheduled and on time.

Skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Data entry

Math calculations

Team direction

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Sanitation and food safety coursework encouraged

Job description

Additional Considerations

Night & Weekend Shifts Required - 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: Market Grille Assistant Department Manager

Department: Market Grille

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

The Market Grille Assistant Department Manager plays a key role in keeping one of the store's most exciting departments running at its best. In this role, you'll partner closely with the Department Manager to deliver fresh, innovative, high-quality food to customers while leading the team and managing daily operations. If you're a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in food quality and customer experience, and is ready to grow your management career, we'd love to have you on our team.

What You'll Do

No two days are exactly the same, but here's what you can expect:

• Provide prompt, friendly customer service, greeting customers with a smile, learning their names, and going the extra mile to make every interaction a great one
• Check daily orders, set up production timelines, and review the production list with department employees, assigning tasks for completion
• Scan the Market Grille area for items and areas that need attention, including coffee, the salad case, cleanliness, kitchen repairs, and safety issues, and assign tasks to staff accordingly
• Ensure food display cases are rotated and replenished and that the proper amount of staff are on hand to meet customer needs
• Monitor schedules, track hours for 14 and 15 year olds, and manage department overtime
• Control inventory through constant product monitoring, rotate all perishable product with every delivery, and keep the supply area clean and orderly
• Handle catering contracts and assist in putting together catering items, calculating portions as needed
• Follow all food safety guidelines and ensure department employees remain in compliance
• Handle and resolve customer issues with care and professionalism
• Suggest ad items and in-store specials, review and order department signage, and prepare intercom messages
• Assist with monthly inventory including posting invoices, counts, and intra and inter-store calculations
• Order all products and supplies for the department and train employees in department duties
• Assume management duties in the absence of the Department Manager
• Work closely with Restaurant and Service staff and assist in other areas of the store as needed
• Maintain strict adherence to personal hygiene, dress standards, and all Hy-Vee policies and store guidelines
• Report to work when scheduled and on time

Your Skills

To be successful, you'll need to be able to:

• Lead and coordinate a team, maintaining high standards and a positive work environment
• Solve practical problems and interpret instructions across a variety of situations with limited standardization
• File, post, and organize materials; copy data accurately; and interview to gather basic information
• Use math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages for scheduling, inventory, and pricing
• Guide and direct team members clearly and provide basic direction with confidence
• Communicate effectively with customers, coworkers, and store leadership

Reporting Relationships

Accountable and Reports to: Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Perishables, Store Operations, and Health Wellness Home; Food Service Director; Market Grille Department Manager

Direct Reports: Department Employees

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent experience required
• Sanitation and food safety coursework encouraged
• One year of similar or related experience required

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand and walk throughout a shift in sales, food service, or delivery areas
• Where applicable to the role: ability to safely use sharp knives and blades for food preparation
• Where applicable to the role: exposure to heat- and burn-related hazards associated with cooking, baking, or grilling equipment
• Where applicable to the role: ability to operate a delivery vehicle in accordance with applicable DOT standards
• Perform repetitive standing, walking, reaching, and bending associated with order fulfillment, POS transactions, and cleaning/sanitation duties

Working Environment

This is a fast-paced role in a store kitchen environment where you'll be leading a team throughout your shift. You'll frequently work in cool conditions with exposure to dampness, equipment noise and vibrations, possible equipment movement hazards, and daily exposure to cleaning chemicals and 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.