Produce Department Manager Trainee

Hy-Vee•Peoria, IL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Produce Department Manager Trainee works alongside the Produce Department Manager to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to manage a produce department. The role provides hands-on experience in customer service, team development, pricing, inventory, and department operations, including completion of a structured activity book covering management competencies. The trainee may assume management responsibilities for department employees when the Department Manager is absent. The role requires a commitment to Hy-Vee’s mission, customer and team service, and learning. The trainee works in the produce department in a fast-moving environment, with frequent exposure to temperature extremes and dampness and possible hazards from moving equipment, electrical equipment, and cleaning chemicals and solvents. Training is provided to support a safe work environment. Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment drug screen.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
High school diploma or equivalent experience.
Commitment to Hy-Vee's mission and genuine interest in delivering an outstanding customer and team experience.
Growth mindset and eagerness to learn produce department management.
Ability to use logical thinking to solve problems involving abstract and concrete variables.
Math skills, including fractions, decimals, and percentages, for pricing, sales analysis, and inventory tasks.
Clear, professional written and verbal communication with customers, employees, and vendors.
Ability to collaborate with the Department Manager and team while taking on increasing responsibility.
Ability to handle confidential employee compensation, sales and profit sheets, and inventory reports with discretion.
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 freight and merchandise.
Complete a pre-employment drug screen successfully.

Nice To Haves

Over six months up to one year of similar or related experience is preferred.
Where applicable, ability to operate pallet jacks, forklifts, or similar material-handling equipment; required operator certification must be completed before independent use.
Where applicable, ability to safely use sharp knives and blades to cut, trim, or grind produce.
Where applicable and subject to applicable age and legal requirements, ability to operate a cardboard baler or compactor.

Responsibilities

Work alongside the Produce Department Manager to learn all aspects of department operations and complete a structured activity book covering management competencies.
Learn to set and uphold department standards for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and profitability.
Greet customers, assist with their needs, and promptly and professionally handle and resolve concerns.
Learn to recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop department employees.
Assist with determining weekly schedules and daily work plans.
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 temperature and storage procedures to maintain freshness and control shrink.
Learn to understand and troubleshoot department equipment and coordinate maintenance as needed.
Assist with instructing, assigning, and reviewing others' work; coordinate activities and support personnel management.
Assume management responsibilities for department employees in the Department Manager's absence.
Unload trucks, check in deliveries, and place products in appropriate storage areas.
Attend assigned meetings, seminars, and continuing education.
Answer calls promptly and provide helpful service, including taking product orders.
Follow Hy-Vee's dress code, hygiene standards, and department and company guidelines.
Assist with departmental duties and other tasks or special projects as needed.
Unload, lift, stock, and rotate incoming truck freight and merchandise.