Jobs › Hy-Vee

This position has closed. Hy-Vee removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Hy-Chi Department Manager

Hy-Vee · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a team you built that ran well without you.

What they are checking: Whether they develop people who can keep standards on their own.

Tell me about a time you improved a department's sales.

What they are checking: Whether they can point to real results as a leader.

What would you do

A cook isn't following the recipes and dishes taste different each day. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they coach on consistency and check that it sticks.

A customer complains that a dish made them sick. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they take it seriously, document it and follow store steps.

How would you create a welcoming, customer-focused feel in the department?

What they are checking: Whether they model and coach service, as the posting describes.

About the work

How would you analyze sales trends in the Hy-Chi department to drive profit?

What they are checking: Whether they use data to adjust menu, production and promotions.

How do you keep food fresh and high quality at a competitive price?

What they are checking: Whether they balance food cost, waste and quality.

What food safety practices would you enforce in an Asian food department?

What they are checking: Whether they know cooking and holding temperatures, rice handling and allergen control.

How do you plan staffing for busy lunch and dinner times?

What they are checking: Whether they match labor to demand and stay within budget.

How do you manage ordering so you don't run out or overbuy?

What they are checking: Whether they use sales history and plans to order the right amount.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Hy-Vee from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Hy-Vee.

Additional Considerations (if any): Must be 18+ - 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: Hy-Chi Department Manager Department: Hy-Chi 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 At Hy-Vee, our Hy-Chi department is a unique and exciting destination for customers, and the Hy-Chi Department Manager is the person who sets the tone for everything that happens there. In this role, you'll lead your team in delivering the freshest, highest quality product at a competitive price while creating a welcoming, customer-focused environment every day. From managing operations and developing your team to analyzing sales trends and driving profitability, your leadership shapes both the customer experience and the department's success. If you are a motivated leader with a passion for food, a sharp eye for quality, and a talent for building great teams, we'd love to have you on board. What You'll Do No two shifts are exactly the same, but here's what you can expect: • Set the standard for customer service, employee relations, cleanliness, sanitation, professional appearance, and overall department profitability • Create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere by modeling great customer service and encouraging your team to do the same • Greet customers warmly, assist them with their needs, and handle and resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop all department employees • Determine department goals in partnership with the Store Director and establish weekly schedules and daily work plans • Inspect signage, displays, and merchandise for quality and quantity; order product for replenishment and ensure competitive pricing • Analyze weekly and monthly sales and trends, prepare ad projections, and write ads • Plan displays, 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 ensure proper temperatures and storage procedures are maintained to guarantee freshness and control shrink • Understand and troubleshoot department equipment and ensure maintenance is performed as needed • Unload trucks, check in delivered merchandise, and place product in appropriate storage areas • Have authority to approve employee discipline and recommend transfers, discharges, and salary changes • Attend meetings, seminars, and continuing education as assigned • Answer the phone promptly and provide friendly, helpful service to customers who call, including taking product orders • Follow Hy-Vee's dress code, hygiene standards, and all department and company guidelines • Pitch in with departmental duties and other tasks or special projects as they come up Your Skills To be successful in this role, you'll need to be able to: • Bring commitment to Hy-Vee's mission and a genuine passion for delivering an outstanding customer and team experience • Lead, motivate, and develop a team while maintaining high standards in a fast-paced retail environment • Solve practical problems and make sound decisions with a variety of variables and limited standardization • Apply math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages to pricing, sales analysis, and inventory tasks • Communicate clearly and professionally through written correspondence, interviews, and daily interactions with customers, employees, and vendors • Analyze sales data and trends to make informed decisions about product, promotions, and department operations • Handle confidential information including employee compensation, sales and profit sheets, inventory reports, and warehouse pricing with discretion Reporting Relationships Accountable and Reports to: Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Perishables, Store Operations, Health Wellness Home; Food Service Director Direct Reports: Hy-Chi Department Employees Education and Experience • High school diploma or equivalent experience • Over one year of related work 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 role where things stay busy and engaging. You'll work in the Hy-Chi department and can expect frequent exposure to temperature extremes and dampness, as well as possible equipment movement hazards, electrical equipment, and cleaning chemicals and 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.