Produce Department Manager - Lead Fresh, Customer Focus

Hy-Vee Inc; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hy-Vee is seeking a Produce Department Manager in Ames, IA to lead the Produce team, ensure freshness and quality, and drive department profitability. You will develop staff, manage displays, and coordinate with store leadership to meet sales goals.

The role emphasizes strong customer service, team development, and adherence to Hy-Vee standards, with responsibilities spanning scheduling, training, and inventory management in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent experience.
• On-the-job training plus produce and sanitation courses required.
• Over one year of related work experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set the standard for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and overall department profitability.
• Create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere by modeling great customer service and encouraging your team to do the same.
• Greet customers warmly, assist them with their needs, and handle and resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop all department employees.
• Determine department goals in partnership with the Store Director and establish weekly schedules and daily work plans.
• Supervise salad bar employees by planning, scheduling, and overseeing the overall operation, including conducting inventory.
• Inspect signage, displays, and merchandise for quality and quantity; order product for replenishment and ensure competitive pricing.
• Analyze weekly and monthly sales and trends, prepare ad projections, and write ads.
• Plan displays, promotions, and determine pre-orders to drive sales and customer engagement.
• Manage department bookkeeping, including extending and posting invoices and overseeing financial procedures.
• Conduct department inventory and ensure proper temperatures and storage procedures are maintained to guarantee freshness and control shrink.
• Understand and troubleshoot department equipment and ensure maintenance is performed as needed.
• Unload trucks, check in delivered merchandise, and place product in appropriate storage areas.
• Have authority to approve employee discipline and recommend transfers, discharges, and salary changes.
• Attend meetings, seminars, and continuing education as assigned.
• 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 departmental duties and other tasks or special projects as they come up

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Team development

Pricing & inventory

Communication

Sales analysis

Education

High school diploma or equivalent experience

On-the-job training + produce & sanitation courses

>1 year related experience preferred

Tools

Pallet jacks

Forklifts

Inventory systems

Job description

Hy-Vee is seeking a Produce Department Manager in Ames, IA to lead the Produce team, ensure freshness and quality, and drive department profitability. You will develop staff, manage displays, and coordinate with store leadership to meet sales goals.

The role emphasizes strong customer service, team development, and adherence to Hy-Vee standards, with responsibilities spanning scheduling, training, and inventory management in a fast-paced retail environment.