Bakery Department Manager Trainee

Additional Considerations (if any):

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: Bakery Department Manager Trainee

Department: Bakery

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

This is your launchpad. As a Bakery Department Manager Trainee at Hy-Vee, you’ll work side by side with an experienced Bakery Department Manager to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to lead a department of your own. From customer service and team leadership to pricing, scheduling, and inventory, you’ll get hands-on experience in every aspect of running a successful bakery.

If you’re driven, eager to learn, and excited about growing your career in retail management, this is a great place to start.

What You’ll Do

• No two shifts are exactly the same, but here’s what you can expect: Work alongside the Bakery Department Manager and complete a structured activity book covering all key aspects of department management
• Help set and uphold department standards for customer service, cleanliness, sanitation, team relations, and overall profitability
• Build a friendly, welcoming atmosphere by encouraging your team to greet and engage with customers and leading by example
• Assist customers with finding products, reaching items, carrying heavy purchases, and going the extra mile to make their visit a great one
• Learn to recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate department employees under the guidance of the Department Manager
• Assist with scheduling, daily work plans, and department goal-setting
• Learn to manage ordering, replenishment, pricing, invoicing, and department bookkeeping
• Help analyze weekly and monthly sales trends, prepare ad projections, and plan promotions and displays
• Ensure proper product temperatures, storage procedures, and freshness standards to minimize shrink
• Assist with understanding and troubleshooting bakery equipment and coordinating maintenance as needed
• Support department inventory and product pre-orders
• Maintain compliance with Hy-Vee’s dress code, hygiene standards, and all company policies
• Step up to lead department employees in the absence of the Department Manager
• Assist in other store areas and take on special projects as needed
• You’ll receive direction and support from: District Store Director, Store Manager, Assistant Managers of Operations, Perishables, and Health Wellness Home, and Bakery Department Manager
• Your Skills
• To be successful in this role, you’ll need to be able to: Deliver outstanding customer service and inspire others to do the same
• Solve practical problems and make sound decisions with a variety of variables
• Use basic math skills, including fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally with customers, employees, and vendors
• Handle confidential information, including pricing data, with discretion
• High school diploma or equivalent required; six months to one year of similar or related experience preferred
• Reporting Relationships
• Accountable and Reports to: Store Director, Store Manager, Assistant Managers of Operations, Perishables, and Health Wellness Home, and Bakery Department Manager
• Direct Reports: Department Employees in the absence of the Department Manager
• Education and Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Six months 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
• Working Environment

This is a fast-moving, hands-on role where no two days are the same. You may work in areas with temperature changes or damp conditions, which is pretty typical for a bakery environment. The role involves working with and around standard bakery and store equipment and may include exposure to electrical equipment, cleaning products, or solvents. Safety is always a priority, and training is provided to help ensure a safe and supportive work environment.

Are you ready to smile, apply today.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.