Produce Department Manager Trainee

Hy-Vee, Inc. • Peoria, IL

14d • $17 - $21

About The Position

The Produce Department Manager Trainee works alongside the Produce Department Manager to learn the skills and responsibilities needed to lead a produce department. This hands-on role involves a structured activity book and training in customer service, employee relations, team development, pricing, inventory, merchandising, and department operations. The trainee may assume management responsibilities for department employees when the Department Manager is absent.

The position 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. Safety training is provided. Applicants must be at least 18. Employment is contingent on successfully completing a pre-employment drug screen. The anticipated hourly starting wage is $17.00 to $21.25, depending on experience.

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 bring commitment to Hy-Vee's mission and a genuine passion for delivering an outstanding customer and team experience.
• Demonstrated growth mindset and eagerness to learn all aspects of produce department management.
• Ability to apply logical thinking to solve problems involving abstract and concrete variables.
• Math skills, including fractions, decimals, and percentages, for pricing, sales analysis, and inventory tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in writing and in interactions 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.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen is a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Over six months up to one year of similar or related experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Produce Department Manager to learn department operations and complete a structured activity book covering management competencies.
• Learn and uphold standards for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and profitability.
• Greet customers, assist them, and promptly and professionally handle and resolve their 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 when the Department Manager is absent.
• Unload trucks, check in delivered merchandise, and place products in appropriate storage areas.
• Attend meetings, seminars, and continuing education as assigned.
• Answer calls promptly, provide helpful customer service, and take 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED