Jobs › Hy-Vee

Market Grille Assistant Department Manager

Hy-Vee · Milan, IL · $16.50–$20.60 an hour · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Hy-Vee

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

You'll partner closely with the Department Manager. How do you support a manager's plan while still bringing your own ideas?

What they are checking: Whether they can be a strong second in command without undercutting the person they report to.

Tell me about a time you trained a new cook or server and how you knew they were ready.

What they are checking: Whether they train with a clear standard rather than just letting people shadow and hope.

Tell me about a time you had to step into a station and work alongside your team.

What they are checking: Whether they lead hands-on, which the posting asks for in this role.

What does growing your management career look like to you over the next couple of years?

What they are checking: Whether they want to step up to running a department, which this role prepares people for.

What would you do

The Market Grille is slammed on a Friday night and the manager is off. Walk me through how you run that shift.

What they are checking: Whether they can direct people, watch ticket times and keep quality up when they're the one in charge.

A customer sends back a meal saying it's cold and took too long. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they recover the guest quickly and look at what broke down on the line.

Two of your team members are clashing during service. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can settle conflict fast during a rush and follow up properly afterward.

About the work

What food safety checks do you make sure happen on every shift in a restaurant-style kitchen?

What they are checking: Whether they know temperature logs, cooling, sanitizer and dating well enough to hold others to them.

How do you keep food cost and waste under control in a made-to-order kitchen?

What they are checking: Whether they understand portioning, prep levels and ordering as levers on profit.

How do you write a schedule that covers nights and weekends fairly?

What they are checking: Whether they can cover peak times while keeping the team from burning out.

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): Night & Weekend Shifts Required - 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: Market Grille Assistant Department Manager Department: Market Grille 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 The Market Grille Assistant Department Manager plays a key role in keeping one of the store's most exciting departments running at its best. In this role, you'll partner closely with the Department Manager to deliver fresh, innovative, high-quality food to customers while leading the team and managing daily operations. If you're a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in food quality and customer experience, and is ready to grow your management career, we'd love to have you on our team. What You'll Do No two days are exactly the same, but here's what you can expect: • Provide prompt, friendly customer service, greeting customers with a smile, learning their names, and going the extra mile to make every interaction a great one • Check daily orders, set up production timelines, and review the production list with department employees, assigning tasks for completion • Scan the Market Grille area for items and areas that need attention, including coffee, the salad case, cleanliness, kitchen repairs, and safety issues, and assign tasks to staff accordingly • Ensure food display cases are rotated and replenished and that the proper amount of staff are on hand to meet customer needs • Monitor schedules, track hours for 14 and 15 year olds, and manage department overtime • Control inventory through constant product monitoring, rotate all perishable product with every delivery, and keep the supply area clean and orderly • Handle catering contracts and assist in putting together catering items, calculating portions as needed • Follow all food safety guidelines and ensure department employees remain in compliance • Handle and resolve customer issues with care and professionalism • Suggest ad items and in-store specials, review and order department signage, and prepare intercom messages • Assist with monthly inventory including posting invoices, counts, and intra and inter-store calculations • Order all products and supplies for the department and train employees in department duties • Assume management duties in the absence of the Department Manager • Work closely with Restaurant and Service staff and assist in other areas of the store as needed • Maintain strict adherence to personal hygiene, dress standards, and all Hy-Vee policies and store guidelines • Report to work when scheduled and on time Your Skills To be successful, you'll need to be able to: • Lead and coordinate a team, maintaining high standards and a positive work environment • Solve practical problems and interpret instructions across a variety of situations with limited standardization • File, post, and organize materials; copy data accurately; and interview to gather basic information • Use math skills including fractions, decimals, and percentages for scheduling, inventory, and pricing • Guide and direct team members clearly and provide basic direction with confidence • Communicate effectively with customers, coworkers, and store leadership Reporting Relationships Accountable and Reports to: Store Director; Store Manager; Assistant Managers of Perishables, Store Operations, and Health Wellness Home; Food Service Director; Market Grille Department Manager Direct Reports: Department Employees Education and Experience • High school diploma or equivalent experience required; sanitation and food safety coursework encouraged • One year of similar or related experience required Physical Requirements • Frequently stand and walk throughout a shift in sales, food service, or delivery areas • Where applicable to the role: ability to safely use sharp knives and blades for food preparation • Where applicable to the role: exposure to heat- and burn-related hazards associated with cooking, baking, or grilling equipment • Where applicable to the role: ability to operate a delivery vehicle in accordance with applicable DOT standards • Perform repetitive standing, walking, reaching, and bending associated with order fulfillment, POS transactions, and cleaning/sanitation duties Working Environment This is a fast-paced role in a store kitchen environment where you'll be leading a team throughout your shift. You'll frequently work in cool conditions with exposure to dampness, equipment noise and vibrations, possible equipment movement hazards, and daily exposure to cleaning chemicals and solvents. Safety is always a priority, and training is provided to help ensure a safe and supportive work environment. The anticipated hourly starting wage for this position is $16.50 to $20.60 depending on experience. For information on company benefits visit Benefits | Hy-Vee . Are you ready to smile, apply today. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.

Apply at Hy-Vee