Produce Assistant Department Manager

Hy-Vee•Council Bluffs, IA

About The Position

The Produce Assistant Department Manager partners with the Produce Department Manager to keep the produce department operating smoothly and present an appealing, high-quality experience for customers. The role supports product freshness, rotation, replenishment, refrigeration standards, sales-floor presentation, inventory, ordering, and produce-related programs. It also trains and develops employees, coordinates and reviews team work, resolves customer and vendor issues, and assumes management responsibilities when the Produce Department Manager is absent. The position requires customer service, produce knowledge, sound decision-making, and the ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment. The role is based in the produce department and involves frequent exposure to cool temperatures and dampness, with possible hazards from moving equipment, electrical equipment, and cleaning chemicals and solvents. Safety training is provided. Employment is contingent on successfully completing a pre-employment drug screen.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
High school diploma or equivalent experience.
Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing 100 pounds or more, with or without mechanical assistance.
Ability to stand and walk continuously on hard surfaces for extended periods.
Ability to work in cooler or freezer environments for extended periods.
Ability to unload, lift, stock, and rotate incoming truck freight and merchandise.
Ability to solve practical problems and make sound decisions with varied factors and limited standardization.
Ability to apply math skills, including fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Ability to lead, train, and support a team in a fast-paced retail environment.
Ability to communicate clearly with customers, team members, and vendors and provide basic direction and guidance.
Strong knowledge of produce products and ability to share that knowledge confidently with customers.
Ability to handle confidential information, including pricing and sales, with discretion.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen is required.

Nice To Haves

Food safety training is encouraged.
Over one year of similar or related experience is preferred.
Where applicable to the role, ability to operate pallet jacks, forklifts, or similar material-handling equipment; required operator certification must be completed before independent use.
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, ability to operate a cardboard baler or compactor.
Where applicable to the role, ability to perform repetitive motions associated with dough mixing, scaling, and proofing.

Responsibilities

Greet customers warmly, assist with their needs, and share knowledge of produce items and their uses.
Maintain department standards for product freshness, rotation, replenishment, and proper refrigeration temperatures.
Set and reset sales areas to promote products and maintain an appealing department.
Coordinate and troubleshoot operations in the salad bar and juice bar area.
Stay informed about produce pricing, seasonal availability, weather impacts, and market trends.
Unload and check in deliveries, verify their accuracy, and log invoices as needed.
Assist with inventory and order product at the Produce Manager's discretion.
Assist with all aspects of the fruit and holiday basket program.
Stock aisles, break down pallets, restack the cooler at day's end, and transport product to the floor.
Train new employees and support the ongoing development of the department team.
Instruct, assign, and review others' work; coordinate activities and allocate personnel as needed.
Handle and resolve customer and vendor issues promptly and professionally.
Assume management responsibilities in the absence of the Department Manager.
Follow sanitation procedures and keep the work area clean, neat, and compliant with department and company guidelines.
Answer the phone promptly and provide helpful service to callers.
Follow Hy-Vee's dress code, hygiene standards, and department and company guidelines.
Assist with other tasks and special projects as needed.