Best Place To Work

Find out why the people who work at Hy-Vee are proud to help make every customer experience easier, healthier and happier.

a hometown history

The cofounders of hy-vee had a vision to innovate stores and enhance communities.

The Beginning

Entrepreneurs Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg were store owners with a goal to provide good merchandise, appreciative service and low prices. They teamed up and, in 1930, Beaconsfield, Iowa, became the site of their first store—the beginning of a chain that eventually became Hy-Vee, Inc.

Local Relationships

By 1933, the founders had begun offering profit-sharing to not only promote a secure retirement, but also to increase employee engagement and commitment to the community. Local farmers’ produce filled shelves, keeping communities connected with the stores.

Employee Ownership

Soon, the store became employee-owned. Owning company shares provided a level of control, as well as the ability to save even more for retirement. By the end of 1979, there were 124 stores and 10,000 employees.

Annual service awards

Hy-Vee’s service award programs honor those employees who have shown exemplary customer service and reached milestones in their careers.

A positive of working at Hy-Vee are the endless opportunities the company offers to help employees grow personally and professionally.”

Bobby Engle

Hy-Vee food service manager, coralville, ia

Every employee is a Hy-Vee stakeholder, creating not only wealth, but pride in the company’s culture and shared vision of the future.

In 1960, the establishment of the Employees’ Trust Fund made Hy-Vee an employee-owned organization. The fund is meant to help employees save money for retirement while enjoying a long career with the company. Hy-Vee’s long history of hiring part-time employees means they also can be stakeholders, and are eligible for benefits and bonuses.

Employee growth

shared giving

Growing up in small town Iowa, I was taught the value of teamwork, honesty and dedication each day on our family farm. Working for Hy-Vee keeps those values, and more, alive within me every day. Hy-Vee and its employees show up, always, when needed. Whether it is a flood, tornado or derecho, Hy-Vee and its people show up for the community. I am proud to work for an organization that not only takes care of their employees but also their communities.”

Hy-Vee District Store director Cedar Rapids, IA

Kay Kress

Local stores tailor their gifts to meet the needs of their own communities.

Support for local business owners, and corporate-wide environmental sustainability measures are just a few ways Hy-Vee brings customers, employees and communities together so all can profit. Hy-Vee’s first corporate donation was in 1941, and the practice of giving back has only expanded since then. Some of the national and local organizations who benefit from Hy-Vee’s support include:

hy-Vee’s broad history of service

Hy-Vee’s commitment to giving back benefits communities and employees. Check out just a few of the ways hy-Vee offers support.

Home Base Iowa

Hy-Vee is proud to be an employer member of this website source for job services available to veterans. Hy-Vee has over 2,000 active military and veteran employee-owners who are eligible for a comprehensive benefit program.

Variety - the Children’s Charity

Hy-Vee’s participation in the international youth-based organization has raised over 14 million dollars since 1983.

The American Red Cross

Employee and corporate funds and volunteer time have been donated to help local communities recover from disasters.

Hy-Vee Homefront

Hy-Vee is proud to be part of this ongoing initiative to increase support for military members, veterans and families.

future-focused

Hy-Vee supports development.

Hy-Vee’s educational and training programs provide autonomy and opportunities to employees. They also lift up communities by offering local families incentives and possibilities to secure their advancement. Examples include:

Hy-Vee University

The training offers certifications, apprenticeships and mentorships with hands-on experience, the Career Exploration Program and a Leadership Training Program.

Tuition Assistance Program

The program awards up to $10,500 in annual tuition assistance for employees and immediate family.

Hy-Vee Foundation

Employees and their children are eligible for grants and scholarships through the Foundation. In 2020 alone, $90,000 in scholarships were awarded.

$54,692,823

total donations made in 2021

THE HY-VEE/JDRF CONNECTION

For two decades Hy-Vee has worked with JDRF, supporting their research efforts to find a cure for Type 1 juvenile diabetes. Hy-Vee sponsors auctions and donates items to raise money, and many Hy-Vee store directors serve on JDRF chapter boards. Store employees volunteer on fund-raising events, and Hy-Vee has raised 18.8 million dollars over the past 20 years.

Our best innovations come directly from our employees. One of the exciting things about working for Hy-Vee is what you do matters. It has significant, lasting impact, and can touch the lives of thousands of employees and millions of customers. Technology is infused in nearly every aspect of our business. Careers are a sky-is-the-limit, choose-your-own-adventure with the opportunity to make a difference. We provide technology for supply chain, restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, a bank, ecommerce mobile, web business, food manufacturing and more. A seemingly simple change can benefit millions of customers.”

Hy-Vee Senior Vice President Chief Information Officer West Des Moines, IA

Luke Tingley

hy-vee’s history of tech

The department that is now the I.T. department opened back in 1954, well before computers were mainstream.

Hy-Vee Helpful smiles technology center

hy-vee expands into the digital realm

“Employees solve diverse and significant challenges and see those solutions touch our customers’ and employees’ lives every day.”

Senior vice president, chief information officer

Luke Tingley

HST origins

In 2017, the Helpful Smiles Technology Center (HST) was established to bring marketing, technology and creativity together. The mission: Bring innovation to the (dinner) table. Here is a list of some of the ways Hy-Vee is benefiting customers.

innovations and rollouts

• Hy-VeeDeals.com rebuild • Health Team and Vaccination Scheduler • Shop HSTV.com launch • Scan & Go rollout • Ship to Home websites (deals, health, pet) launch • Grimes kiosks established: product details, cake building and ordering, interactive Seasons magazine, interactive vitamin & supplement information • Digital shelf labels added • New distribution centers open • HSTV.com rebuild • New Point of Sale software rollout

awards

HST has been the recipient of numerous distinctions, including Workiva Large Technology Company of the Year. And, in 2020, Technology Association of Iowa awarded Hy-Vee the prestigious title, “Top Technology and Software Development Company of the Year.” The award recognized innovations to Hy-Vee’s mobile app, Aisles Online, and its on-demand entertainment network, Helpful Smiles TV (HSTV).

270+

i.t. specialists, marketing associates and digital development staff members join forces at hst to ensure customers and communities benefit from innovations.

“Our goal is to be more than a grocery store for customers. They trust us to be a part of their special occasions and family memories, as well as everyday lives—and that’s why we, at Hy-Vee, take great pride in working to make their lives easier, healthier and happier.”

Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff, President, Hy-Vee Marketing and Media

Donna Tweeten

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