Cheese Monger (Full Time)

BUSCH'S CAREER PAGE•Farmington, MI

11d

About The Position

The Cheese Merchandiser oversees the cheese department, managing a team of cheese mongers to ensure operational excellence, product quality, and outstanding customer engagement. This role requires a certified cheese professional with strong leadership skills and deep knowledge of cheese. The position involves supervising and mentoring cheese mongers across multiple locations, curating and managing a diverse selection of local and artisanal cheeses, creating attractive displays, educating customers, and ensuring food safety and sanitation standards. The role also tracks sales and market trends, collaborates with other departments on cross-merchandising, represents the department at local events, and keeps professional and technical knowledge current. Busch’s is a family-owned grocery retailer with multiple stores in Southeast Michigan. The company describes its environment as one that values guest service, product selection, store design, and associate care.

Requirements

Certification as a Cheese Professional (CCP) from the American Cheese Society or an equivalent organization.
Extensive knowledge of cheeses, including types, origins, and pairing options.
Proven leadership skills and the ability to motivate and develop a team.
Exceptional merchandising skills, including planning and executing displays designed to drive profit, create interest and perceived value, and suggest meal solutions.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, and email, and ability to learn and use proprietary applications and technology.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Presentation skills, including confidence speaking in front of people.

Responsibilities

Supervise and mentor a team of cheese mongers at multiple locations, providing ongoing training in product knowledge, customer service, and merchandising practices.
Curate and manage a diverse selection of local and artisanal cheeses, maintaining appropriate inventory levels, freshness, and quality.
Design and implement displays that highlight cheese offerings and attract customer interest.
Lead customer education initiatives, including tastings and cheese-pairing suggestions.
Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and sanitation standards, and monitor storage conditions and product quality.
Track sales performance, customer feedback, and market trends to guide product offerings and promotional strategies.
Collaborate with deli, grocery, and other departments on cross-merchandising opportunities and store offerings.
Represent the cheese department at local events and markets to build relationships with customers and local cheese producers.
Keep professional and technical knowledge current through educational opportunities, professional publications, benchmarking, and networking.