Cheesemonger

Good Food Holdings Companies•Seattle, WA

11d•$24 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

As a key member of our Cheese Department, this position is responsible for sales generation, exceptional product knowledge, food safety, quality control, and merchandising of specialty cheese products. This position is also responsible for providing excellent customer service and sharing product information with team members and customers about specialty cheeses, product pairings, recipes, and meal solutions.

Requirements

Participate in the company-sponsored training and preparation for the Certified Cheese Professional accreditation; may, but is not required to, take the American Cheese Society exam.
Minimum one year food service experience strongly preferred.
Must possess a minimum of one year of customer service experience.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and produce quality output while working within deadlines a must. Sense of urgency required. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Demonstrates a high level of self-motivation; takes initiative; problem solves.
Proven ability to positively affect sales generation.
Possesses knowledge of food safety and HACCP/Department of Health guidelines, and inventory/portion control.
Successful experience with food merchandising and display preferred.
Possesses adequate product information with a proven history of using knowledge to best service customers. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding of food, including ingredients, applications, pronunciations and culinary skills. Possesses a genuine passion for food.
Proven success as a team member; demonstrated ability to work well with diverse groups of people.
Exceptional customer service skills.
Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills required.
Demonstrates an interest in learning; possesses a strong interest in food and related products.
Proven ability to interact and perform all job responsibilities with professionalism and confidentiality essential.
Proven ability to meet attendance requirements, dependable.
Able to lift and carry unassisted 25 pounds with frequency; able to lift and carry unassisted 50 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

Minimum one year food service experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Immediately greets all customers; demonstrates genuine enthusiasm and sincerity; customizes approach to meet customer needs and build rapport. Works to create customer loyalty through individualized service.
Anticipates customer needs and questions related to products; completes industry-related reading and self-education activities required to remain knowledgeable and current in areas of responsibility, including product knowledge (e.g., product tasting, cutting-edge trends, product use research, and vocabulary development). Effectively follows through with customers, including item requests, questions, and concerns.
Effectively shifts-gears to meet customer needs; moves with ease from greeting to providing product information, up-selling, closing the sale, thanking customers and inviting them back. Effectively assesses customers’ needs and appropriately suggests products. Offers customers opportunities to interact with products.
Packages customer products in a manner that is consistent with department standards and sanitation guidelines and/or customer request; ensures customer purchases are packaged with the highest level of quality, proper tools, and presentation maintained.
Actively seeks out product knowledge and adheres to approved product sampling methods and expectations; presents product knowledge in a positive, appealing manner that promotes increased sales and best serves the customer.
Develops customer base by providing excellent customer service throughout the store; effectively secures the assistance of other store personnel as needed.
Readily provides customers information on store layout, services, and activities (e.g., promotions and special products).
Works with all Cheese Department team members to ensure customer service expectations are consistently achieved on a department-wide basis; consistently exercises a mutual-accountability approach to job completion.
Ensures all customer and other phone inquiries are handled with appropriate telephone etiquette, effectively providing consistent, friendly, and efficient service.
Maintains Cheese Department area in a clean, organized, customer-friendly manner; consistently provides customers a professional, upbeat atmosphere.
Adheres to all food safety and sanitation requirements. Consistently demonstrates knowledge of HACCP and Department of Health provisions.
Completes daily projects and activities as assigned or needed; ensures daily tasks and assignments are accomplished correctly and in a timely manner.
Participates in Cheese Department staff meetings and store staff meetings as required.
Maintains back room, walk-in coolers, and freezer in a safe, clean, and organized manner; stores products in a manner that allows easy access to back stock.
Uses work-related equipment correctly under manufacturer guidelines.
Adheres to company guidelines regarding prevention of internal and external loss, including risk management, accident prevention/safety awareness, and loss prevention.
Contributes to a productive, enjoyable work environment; fosters working relationships that promote positive team morale. Effectively utilizes the Company’s Open Door and Conflict Resolution programs as needed. Gives and receives input/feedback in a solution-based manner.
Maintains safe environment for customers and employees; ensures hazardous conditions are promptly handled in an appropriate manner.
Effectively uses telephone, paging, and voice mail systems in a professional manner.
Fully capitalizes upon training, mentoring, and counseling opportunities. Actively identifies methods/ways to improve job performance and further contribute to the department as a whole. Self-initiates training and consistently demonstrates accountability.
Consistently achieves efficient technical skills, including cutting, wrapping, sanitation, storage, and merchandising of cheese.
Participates in the training and mentoring processes of other team members as needed or assigned.
Readily accepts delegated responsibilities and positively responds to the direction of the Cheese Department management. Accurately completes assigned projects within a given time frame.
Understands proper procedures for customer telephone orders and effectively follows through with department guidelines.
Actively participates in maintaining product inventory at a level that promotes effective sales merchandising and maximizes sales potential.
Assists the Cheese Program Coordinator with product selections, merchandising, and the preparation and sale of specialty cheese products.
By assessing product quality and providing timely feedback to Cheese Department management, actively works to ensure that highest quality products are stocked.
Pulls, records, and discards outdated product from Cheese Department sales areas on a daily basis; determines proper replacement product quantities and promptly prepares in compliance within established guidelines.
Consistently achieves all cheese production procedures, sanitation, and cutting and wrapping standards; ensures cheese quality and freshness through product rotation and portion control; works to guarantee products are properly labeled; promptly notifies Cheese Department managers of any difficulties with labeling procedures or equipment.
Ensures all mis-picks, damaged goods, and credits are processed within established guidelines and reports information to the Cheese Program Coordinator.
Complies with stocking standards that ensure high product quality, including rotation procedures. Incorporates cleaning with stocking and rotation requirements.
Alerts the Cheese Program Coordinator of incorrect billing issues.
Participates in physical inventory on a quarterly basis, or as needed.
Assists with the development and maintenance of product displays that create an exciting marketplace; strives to develop displays that pique customer interest and impact customer buying trends.
Assists Cheese Department management with ensuring effective informational and price point signing is posted for all products.
Actively participates in product promotions/focuses and community events.
Assists with preparation for weekly Culinary Artist presentations as needed; provides adequate inventory of department–related featured products.
Upholds all Metropolitan Market policies and procedures; adheres to all applicable local, state, and federal laws; adheres to applicable UFCW Union contract provisions.
Performs all job responsibilities with professionalism and appropriate discretion/confidentiality as determined by the Company’s policies, procedures, and expectations; acts accordingly at all times while representing the Company (including activities/functions away from the store location).
Consistently presents a professional personal image, including impeccable execution of the Company’s General Dress Guideline/Uniform Standards and Professional Image Standards.
Adheres to workplace cleanliness and personal hygiene standards; performs general housekeeping and sanitation functions as needed and/or assigned.
Works a flexible schedule as required by business needs.
Achieves Metropolitan Market attendance requirements.
Identifies opportunities for enhancement or improvement of processes/systems. Communicates promptly to the Cheese Program Coordinator. Recommends/implements solutions as appropriate.
Other responsibilities as assigned by the Cheese Department management.
Utilize a variety of specific job-related equipment as needed or assigned by a qualified, appropriate manager or supervisor.
Reference page four of the Metropolitan Market Cheesemonger Position Description.