Hy-Vee announces staffing changes in local stores

Hy-Vee is making several changes in its stores, including those that affect store management careers.

As part of the West Des Moines, Ia.-based company's Helpful Smile 2020 effort — focused on making Hy-Vee "the best place to work and shop in America — the retailer is moving to strengthen its training and succession planning for store management. Starting this week, store directors will be known as district store directors, tasked with overseeing multiple stores and mentoring store managers. 

As part of the change, some store directors with become store managers, a role the company said would help prepare employees interested in becoming district store directors for the role. The store manager also will have oversight of the day-to-day operations at their store.

"This is part of our effort to remain the best place to build a career in retail and ensure all store directors have the training they need before being selected for the role," Hy-Vee said.

Alongside the personnel changes, Hy-Vee is revamping its hours and reorganizing some of its overnight and daytime stocking procedures.

“This will make a difference to our customers as the majority of our stocking will be done during times when customers are not shopping, helping to keep our aisles clear of clutter so customers can have a more pleasant shopping experience in our stores," the company said. "This move also allowed us to reevaluate how we operate our stores so that we can become more efficient. Because of this, store directors will be making staffing changes over the upcoming weeks – which could include promotions, reallocations or reductions – to reflect the needs of their individual store."

Also as part of its changes, Hy-Vee is adding 30 of its in-store dietitians to its corporate team to support its health-and-wellness programs company-wide. 

"We value our employees and customers, and want to be the best place to work and shop," Hy-Vee said. "Our industry is continually evolving, which is why it’s imperative that we evolve with it.”