How to hire a dairy department manager

How to hire a dairy department manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dairy department manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dairy department manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dairy department manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the dairy department manager you need to hire. Certain dairy department manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A dairy department manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dairy department managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of dairy department managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Dairy Department Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Dairy Department Manager		$12-23
   Manager Trainee	A manager trainee's primary function is to observe and gain practical experience from working with senior staff or managers and following their daily directives. Most of the tasks will be administrative support related, which will involve preparing reports and assessments, keeping and updating records, creating presentations, and crafting strategies alongside supervising officers... Show more	$17-31
   Co-Manager	A co-manager's role is to supervise business operations and perform administrative tasks as support to a manager. One of the primary functions of a co-manager is to delegate tasks of team members and arrange schedules... Show more	$16-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sales Floor
   • Customer Service
   • Dairy Products
   • Food Safety
   • Stock Merchandise
   • Front End
   • Inventory Control
   • Gross Profit
   • Product Knowledge
   • Groceries
   • Back Room
   • Stock Shelves
   • Inventory Management
   • Unload Trucks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Implement inventory management system to effectively manage on-hands, assist with correct replenishment and maintain an acceptable level of over-stock.
   • Aggregate, analyze and organize information from QC reports into a department-wide WIKI to facilitate information sharing and best practice utilization.
   • Drive the achievement of financial goals by managing customer inventory flow process and SWAS planning.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your dairy department manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A dairy department manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, dairy department managers' average salary in louisiana is 40% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dairy department managers 48% less than senior-level dairy department managers.
   • Certifications. A dairy department manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a dairy department manager's salary.

   Average dairy department manager salary

   $35,178yearly

   $16.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level dairy department manager salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a dairy department manager job description

   A good dairy department manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a dairy department manager job description:

   Dairy department manager job description example

   The Dairy Manager is responsible for directing and supervising all functions and activities of Dairy Department personnel to achieve the sales and profit goals established for the department; to ensure that the work shifts of all department personnel contribute to the financial best interests of the store.
   Job Description
   Description
   
   Follow all Federal, State, and Local regulations as well as company policies regarding Dairy operations, safety, and sanitation Fulfill or oversee weekly product orders while following all operating procedures Adhere to shelf management as it applies to following suggested plan-o-gram layout and new/discontinued items Adhere to company policy through proper receiving, handling, storing, and stocking of product Follow and enforce proper rotation of product to ensure the freshest products available for the customers Achieve financial goals such as sales, gross profit maximization, as well as minimization of shrink and supply expense Selection, training, development and scheduling of Dairy associates Complete all necessary paperwork relating to Dairy DepartmentEnsure that the coolers, freezers and cases are at proper temperature and in working condition Travel Required:No
   
   Environment
   
   Skills
   
   Specialized Knowledge : Basic computer skills Special Skills : Ability to read, write and perform basic math functions Physical abilities: : Regular vision, occasional walking lifting, carrying loads up to 60 lbs, stooping, crouching, crawling, and kneeling; frequent amounts of standing, sitting, pushing/pulling loads up to 115 lb, tasting and smelling; constant amounts of handling, feeling, talking and hearing, exposure to extreme cold Other: : Direct subordinates in implementing plan of action and goal attainment, promote sales through courteous customer service; Safe operation of Pallet Jack, Baler/Compactor, Marking Gun, Computer, Case Cutter
   
   Years Of Experience
   
   2-5 : Prior Retail or Dairy Operations experience preferred
   
   Qualifications
   
   Shift
   
   Company
   Piggly Wiggly Midwest LLC
   
   About Our Company
   C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. , based in Keene, NH, is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. and the industry leader in supply chain innovation. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 6,000 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions with over 150,000 different products. At C&S, We Select the Best - those with the motivation, pride, and drive to succeed in our fast-paced world.Working Safely is a Condition of Employment at C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc. C&S Wholesale Grocers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right dairy department manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with dairy department managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit dairy department managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your dairy department manager job on Zippia to find and recruit dairy department manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with dairy department manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dairy department manager

   Once you've selected the best dairy department manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new dairy department manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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