Hy-Vee Looks to Move 500 Corporate Employees Into Retail Roles

Hy-Vee announced in an advertorial published in the Des Moines Register that it is asking up to 500 corporate-level employees to move into retail positions as the West Des Moines, Iowa-based retails seeks to fill hundreds of positions at that level. 

In a time that has truly tested the grocery industry on all fronts—labor shortages, rising food costs, record-setting inflation and unprecedented supply chain issues—Hy-Vee Chairman and CEO Randy Edeker said in the advertorial, “As a trusted retailer that millions of people depend on every day, we need to make adjustments to better serve our customers and our more than 93,000 employees.”

The unsigned, full-page advertorial said, “while more than 100 corporate office employees were asked in March to make a move to retail, this week the company will be asking up to 500 additional employees to make similar moves.”

In an emailed statement to WGB, Tina Potthoff, a spokesperson for Hy-Vee, said, “Last week, we invited all corporate office employees to attend an internal job fair to continue our efforts to see if any of our retail leadership openings may be a good fit for them, as many people in our corporate office have retail experience. We currently have approximately 400 store leadership positions open across our eight-state region, in addition to other full-time opportunities.”

Hy-Vee also said in the advertorial that it is pressing the pause button on its new warehouse in Cumming, Iowa. “As construction costs hit record highs, the company is pausing several projects—such as the new warehouse in Cumming, Iowa—to be resumed at a later date, and is evaluating its existing land parcels to determine whether the spaces still align with its growth plans for the future,” it said.

Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation with sales of more than $12 billion annually.