Department Manager Jobs in Iowa
Department Manager jobs in Iowa are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and distribution sectors at levels from first-line supervisors to multi-site operations leaders. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport account for the largest share of openings, anchored by employers like Hy-Vee, Principal Financial Group, and John Deere. The most sought-after specialties are retail operations, warehouse and logistics management, and healthcare department oversight. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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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: Assistant Meat Department Manager
Department: Meat
FLSA : Non-Exempt
General Function :
Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service. Assists Department Manager to present the freshest most innovative and best quality products at a competitive retail price to customers.
Core Competencies
- Partnerships
- Growth mindset
- Results oriented
- Customer focused
- Professionalism
Reporting Relations:
Accountable and Reports to: District Store Director; Assistant Managers Operations; Perishables; Health Wellness Home, Meat Department Manager
Positions that Report to you: Meat Specialists, Meat Wrap Coordinators, Clerks
Primary Duties and Responsibilities :
- Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service by exhibiting caring, concern and patience in all customer interactions and treating customers as the most important people in the store.
- Smiles and greets customers in a friendly manner, whether the encounter takes place in the employee’s designated department or elsewhere in the store.
- Makes an effort to learn customers’ names and to address them by name whenever possible.
- Assists customers by: (examples include)
- escorting them to the products they’re looking for
- securing products that are out of reach
- loading or unloading heavy items
- making note of and passing along customer suggestions or requests
- performing other tasks in every way possible to enhance the shopping experience.
- Answers the telephone promptly and provides friendly, helpful service to customers who call including taking product orders.
- Works with co-workers as a team to ensure customer satisfaction and a pleasant work environment.
- Ensures department standards are met.
- Reviews the status and appearance of product for freshness and pulls by stale date.
- Ensures display case product is rotated and replenished.
- Prepares cutting lists for case fills. Offers meal solutions, and gives advice on preparation to customers.
- Handles and satisfies customer issues.
- Conducts cutting tests.
- Orders new items (not strictly replenishment).
- Ensures proper temperatures and storage procedures are maintained to guarantee freshness and control shrink of product.
- Trains new employees.
- Tenderizes, grinds, and cuts merchandise.
- Understands and practices proper sanitation procedures and ensures the work area is always clean and neat, and maintains strict adherence to department and company guidelines related to personal hygiene and dress.
- Adheres to company policies and individual store guidelines.
- Reports to work when scheduled and on time.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assumes management duties in absence of Department Manager.
- Wraps, weighs, and labels product.
- Performs cleaning in the department.
- Provides input on goals and pricing.
- Assists in other areas of store as needed.
- Performs other job related duties and special projects as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Instructs, assigns, reviews and plans work of others.
- Maintains standards, coordinates activities, and allocates personnel.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Worker Characteristics:
- Must have the ability to solve practical problems; variety of variables with limited standardization; interpret instructions.
- Ability to do arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages.
- Must have the ability to file, post, and mail materials; copy data from one record to another; interview to obtain basic information; guide people and provide basic direction.
Education and Experience:
High School or equivalent, Computer meat program, Hy-Vee food safety training, Cornell Home Study food safety course (Effective 03/07/96), Dale Carnegie is encouraged. Over one year of related work experience preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be physically able to exert up to 100 pounds of force (energy exerted) occasionally; exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently; and exert up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Visual requirements include vision from less than 20 inches to more than 20 feet with or without correction, depth perception,
color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), and field of vision. - Must be able to perform the following physical activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Working Conditions :
This position is exposed daily to dirt, noise, temperature extremes, dampness, vibrations, equipment movement hazards, cleaning chemicals/solvents, and electrical shock. This is a fast paced work environment.
Equipment Used to Perform Job:
Power ban saw, Grinder, Tenderizer, Slicer, Bone duster (where applicable), Knives, Tumblers, Automatic patty machine (where applicable), Automatic stuffer, Wrapping system, Rotisserie, Pallet jack, box cutter, Computer, and C.A.R.S. reordering system.
Financial Responsibility:
Responsible for company assets including equipment and merchandise.
Confidentiality:
Has access to confidential information including ads, gross profit percentage, wages, sales, pricing, and employee information.
Contacts:
Deals with customers on a daily basis, works with governmental or regulatory agencies regularly, has contact with vendors and suppliers and community organizations.
Are you ready to smile, apply today.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.
See All 81 Department Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Department Manager JobsDepartment Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Department Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Hy-Vee48

- Von Maur11

- Pella8

- The University of Iowa2

- H&M1

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Retail
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in department manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a related field preferred
- Three or more years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a relevant industry
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, staffing schedules, and departmental performance metrics
- Proficiency with inventory management systems or enterprise resource planning software
- Strong communication skills for coordinating across cross-functional teams and reporting to senior leadership
- Familiarity with Iowa workplace safety regulations and OSHA compliance standards
Department Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a department manager in Iowa?
Most department manager roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in business, management, or a field relevant to the industry, combined with several years of progressively responsible supervisory experience. Iowa does not require a state-issued license for department managers in general business or retail settings. In healthcare, certain department manager roles may require an active Iowa professional license tied to the clinical area, issued through the Iowa Board of Nursing or the relevant Iowa licensing board.
Which companies hire department managers in Iowa?
Employers hiring department managers in Iowa right now include Hy-Vee, Von Maur, and Pella, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's strong retail, insurance, agricultural manufacturing, and healthcare industries mean openings appear regularly at large regional headquarters and distribution operations across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most department manager jobs?
Coralville, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport are the Iowa cities with the most department manager openings. Des Moines drives the largest share of listings as the state's commercial and financial center, home to major corporate headquarters and healthcare systems, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport draw significant volume from manufacturing, logistics, and regional retail operations.
Are there remote department manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Department management typically requires an on-site presence to oversee staff, inventory, and daily operations. About 0% of department manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to cluster in corporate or administrative management roles rather than hands-on retail, warehouse, or clinical settings.
How can I get hired as a department manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving into a department manager role from an assistant manager or team lead position within the same Iowa employer. Large Iowa retailers like Hy-Vee and regional distribution centers often promote from within and run structured supervisory development programs for high-performing associates. Building familiarity with inventory systems, scheduling tools, and Iowa OSHA compliance expectations, along with completing a business or management certificate at Iowa community colleges like Kirkwood or Des Moines Area Community College, strengthens candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to department manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to department manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and metro areas. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to whichever positions fit.
See All 81 Department Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Department Manager Jobs