Bakery Department Manager Trainee
Hy-Vee · Coralville
Additional Considerations (if any):
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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.