Produce Assistant Department Manager

Hy-Vee, Inc.; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Hy-Vee, Inc. in Lincoln, NE is seeking a Produce Assistant Department Manager to partner with the Department Manager, ensuring freshness, managing the sales floor, and leading the team to deliver excellent customer service. You will train staff, assist with inventory, and uphold safety and sanitation standards daily.

The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a passion for producing quality, fresh products with strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent experience.
• Over one year of similar or related experience preferred.
• Food safety training encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outstanding customer service and share knowledge of produce items.
• Ensure freshness, rotation, replenishment, and proper refrigeration temperatures.
• Train new employees and support ongoing development of the department team.
• Handle customer and vendor issues promptly and professionally daily.
• Assist with inventory, ordering, and vender interactions as needed.
• Maintain sanitation procedures and keep the work area clean and compliant.

Skills

Customer service

Team leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Math skills

Produce knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Food safety training encouraged

Tools

Pallet jacks

Forklifts

Cardboard baler

Job description

Additional Considerations (if any):Must be 18+-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 ManagerDepartment: ProduceFLSA: HourlyRevision Date: 07/2026About Hy-VeeAt 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 ImportantAt 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 DoNo 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 usesEnsure department standards are consistently met, including product freshness, rotation, replenishment, and proper refrigeration temperaturesSet and reset sales areas to promote products effectively and keep the department looking its bestCoordinate and troubleshoot operations in the salad bar and juice bar areaStay current on produce-related topics such as pricing philosophy, seasonal availability, weather impacts, and market trendsUnload product, check in deliveries, verify accuracy, and log invoices as neededAssist with inventory and order product at the Produce Manager's discretionAssist with all aspects of the fruit and holiday basket programStock aisles, break down pallets, restack the cooler at day's end, and transport product to the floorTrain new employees and support the ongoing development of the department teamInstruct, assign, and review the work of others; coordinate activities and allocate personnel as neededHandle and resolve customer and vendor issues promptly and professionally on a daily basisAssume management responsibilities in the absence of the Department ManagerPractice proper sanitation procedures and keep the work area clean, neat, and compliant with all department and company guidelinesAnswer the phone promptly and provide friendly, helpful service to customers who callFollow Hy-Vee's dress code, hygiene standards, and all department and company guidelinesPitch in with other tasks or special projects as they come upYour SkillsTo 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 experienceSolve practical problems and make sound decisions with a variety of variables and limited standardizationApply math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages in day-to-day tasksLead, train, and support a team in a fast-paced retail environmentCommunicate clearly with customers, team members, and vendors and provide basic direction and guidanceDemonstrate strong knowledge of produce products and the ability to share that knowledge confidently with customersHandle confidential information including pricing and sales with discretionReporting RelationshipsAccountable and Reports to: Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Perishables, Store Operations, Health Wellness Home; Produce Department ManagerDirect Reports: Produce ClerksEducation and ExperienceHigh school diploma or equivalent experienceFood safety training encouragedOver one year of similar or related experience preferredPhysical Requirements Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing 100 pounds or more, with or without mechanical assistanceContinuously stand and walk on hard surfaces for extended periodsWhere 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 periodsWhere applicable to the role: ability to safely use sharp knives and blades to cut, trim, or grind productWhere applicable to the role, and in accordance with applicable age and legal requirements: operate a cardboard baler or compactorWhere applicable to the role: perform repetitive motions associated with dough mixing, scaling, and proofingAbility to unload, lift, stock, and rotate incoming truck freight and merchandiseWorking EnvironmentThis 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.