Produce Department Manager Trainee

Hy-Vee; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Hy-Vee is seeking a motivated Produce Department Manager Trainee in Peoria, IL. You will work closely with the Produce Department Manager to learn all facets of running a busy department and providing excellent customer service.

This hands-on program covers pricing, inventory, displays, vendor relations, and department bookkeeping. Strong communication, reliability, and a willingness to grow are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent experience.
• 6 months to 1 year of similar or related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn all aspects of running the department alongside the Produce Department Manager.
• Help with customer service, pricing, inventory, and day-to-day operations.
• Assist with scheduling, staffing, and evaluating department employees.

Skills

Customer service

Growth mindset

Learning aptitude

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Math skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

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 Department Manager Trainee Department: Produce 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

At Hy-Vee, we believe in growing great leaders from within, and the Produce Department Manager Trainee role is built to do exactly that. Working closely alongside the Produce Department Manager, you'll develop and sharpen the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to lead a successful department of your own. From customer service and team development to pricing, inventory, and operations, this is a hands-on learning experience with real responsibility from day one. If you're driven, eager to grow, and ready to build a future with a company that invests in its people, we'd love to have you on board.

What You'll Do

• Work alongside the Produce Department Manager to learn and develop all aspects of running the department, including completing a structured activity book that covers key management competencies
• Learn to set and uphold department standards for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and overall profitability
• Greet customers warmly, assist them with their needs, and handle and resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally
• Learn to recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop department employees
• Assist with determining weekly schedules and daily work plans for the department
• Inspect signage, displays, and merchandise for quality and quantity; learn ordering and replenishment processes
• Learn retail pricing, invoice procedures, and department bookkeeping
• Analyze weekly and monthly sales and trends, assist with ad projections, and learn to write ads
• Assist with planning displays, promotions, and pre-orders
• Conduct department inventory and learn proper temperature and storage procedures to guarantee freshness and control shrink
• Learn to understand and troubleshoot department equipment and coordinate maintenance as needed
• Assist with instructing, assigning, and reviewing the work of others; coordinate activities and support personnel management
• Assume management responsibilities for department employees in the absence of the Department Manager
• Unload trucks, check in delivered merchandise, and place product in appropriate storage areas
• 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

Your Skills To be successful in this role, you'll need to

• Bring commitment to Hy-Vee's mission and a genuine passion for delivering an outstanding customer and team experience
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and eagerness to learn all aspects of produce department management
• Apply logical thinking to solve problems with a variety of abstract and concrete variables
• Apply math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages to pricing, sales analysis, and inventory tasks
• Communicate clearly and professionally through written correspondence, interviews, and daily interactions with customers, employees, and vendors
• Work collaboratively with the Department Manager and team while taking on increasing levels of responsibility
• Handle confidential information including employee compensation, sales and profit sheets, and inventory reports with discretion

Reporting Relationships

Accountable and Reports to:

Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Operations, Perishables, Health Wellness Home; Produce Department Manager

Direct Reports: Department Employees in the absence of the Department Manager

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent experience

Over six months up to one year of similar or related 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

Work Environment

This is a fast-moving role where things stay busy and engaging. You'll work in the produce department and can expect frequent exposure to temperature extremes 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.

The anticipated hourly starting wage for this position is $17.00 to $21.25 depending on experience. For information on company benefits visit Benefits | Hy-Vee. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.