Produce Department Manager

Hy-Vee•Independence, MO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Produce Department Manager leads and manages all aspects of the produce department, setting standards for freshness, quality, customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and profitability. The manager creates a welcoming customer experience, resolves customer concerns, and leads the department team through recruiting, hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, and development. The role includes setting department goals with store leadership, preparing schedules and work plans, overseeing salad bar operations, inspecting displays and merchandise, ordering products, analyzing sales and trends, preparing ad projections, planning promotions, managing bookkeeping and financial procedures, and conducting inventory. The manager also maintains product freshness through proper storage and temperature controls, oversees equipment maintenance, receives and stores deliveries, and may approve employee discipline or recommend transfers, discharges, and salary changes. The role includes attending assigned meetings and training, answering customer calls, following company standards, and supporting other department tasks and projects. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent experience. On-the-job training and produce and sanitation courses are required. Related work experience of over one year is preferred. Physical requirements include frequent handling of objects weighing 100 pounds or more, extended standing and walking, work in cooler or freezer environments, and unloading, lifting, stocking, and rotating merchandise. Depending on the role, duties may involve operating material-handling equipment, using knives or blades, or operating a cardboard baler or compactor. The work takes place in a busy produce department, with frequent exposure to temperature extremes and dampness and possible hazards from moving equipment, electrical equipment, 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.
On-the-job training and required produce and sanitation courses.
Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team in a fast-paced retail environment.
Ability to solve practical problems and make sound decisions with varied conditions and limited standardization.
Math skills, including fractions, decimals, and percentages, for pricing, sales analysis, and inventory tasks.
Clear, professional communication with customers, employees, vendors, and others in writing and in person.
Ability to analyze sales data and trends to inform product, promotion, and operating decisions.
Ability to handle confidential employee, sales, profit, inventory, and pricing information discreetly.
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.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Over one year of related work experience.

Responsibilities

Set standards for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and department profitability.
Model welcoming customer service, assist customers, and promptly and professionally resolve concerns.
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop department employees.
Set department goals with the Store Director and establish weekly schedules and daily work plans.
Plan, schedule, and oversee salad bar operations, including inventory.
Inspect signage, displays, and merchandise for quality and quantity; order replenishment product and ensure competitive pricing.
Analyze weekly and monthly sales and trends, prepare advertising projections, and write ads.
Plan displays and 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 maintain proper temperatures and storage procedures to preserve freshness and control shrink.
Troubleshoot department equipment and ensure maintenance is performed as needed.
Unload trucks, check in deliveries, and place merchandise in appropriate storage areas.
Approve employee discipline and recommend transfers, discharges, and salary changes.
Attend assigned meetings, seminars, and continuing education.
Answer customer calls promptly and helpfully, including taking product orders.
Follow the company dress code, hygiene standards, and department and company guidelines.
Assist with department duties and other tasks or special projects as needed.