Irving - Cooking Connection - Culinary Selling Expert - Full time

HEB•Irving, TX

About The Position

As a Culinary Selling Expert, you'll perform selling activation events in the Cooking Connection kitchen while developing appropriate recipes targeted to the local Customer base using key focus items. You'll engage Customers by creating a hub of food experiences through your expertise and knowledge of multiple ingredients, beverage recommendations, and cooking techniques to drive customer engagement and sales.

Requirements

2+ years Experience related to food and cooking - Required
Experience cooking in a professional environment, in sales or product demonstrations - Required
H-E-B Wine selling certification or similar experience - Required
Strong knowledge of H-E-B systems and processes (e.g., systems related to scheduling, recipe authoring, product ordering, display planning, MS Office, internal websites, H-E-B mobile apps) - Required
Advanced communication skills - Required
Advanced customer service skills; passion for hospitality - Required
Strong merchandising skills - Required
Skills in intermediate cooking techniques - Required
Ability to read and interpret documents (e.g., safety rules, maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, financial / sales reports) - Required
Ability to manage multiple priorities and shift focus between projects - Required
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours - Required
Degree in culinary arts, nutrition, home economics, or H-E-B Culinary certification (intermediate culinary skills) - Required
Completion of / ability to complete TABC Certification - Required
Constantly stand, reach at waist, and grasp
Occasionally sit, walk, reach overhead, reach at shoulder, reach at knee, reach at floor, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, stair climb, ladder climb, pivot, twist, push / pull with arms, pinch, and perform fine motor movements
Occasionally be exposed to cold & hot temperatures, loud noise, wet conditions
Demonstrate the ability to lift 60 lbs, and manage more than 60 lbs

Responsibilities

Sales / Customer Service: Follows the customer service and hospitality model to connect with Customers, building a sense of community and driving loyalty
Creates an atmosphere of celebration by participating in total Store events, creating themed recipes, and cross merchandising
Welcomes / approaches Customers with the mindset of a host, catering to the needs of the Customer to ensure they feel welcomed, invited, and appreciated
Offers advice for menu / meal planning; scales recipes in size and skill level depending on customer needs
Conducts cooking method and recipe preparation demonstrations; executes food prep methods with high efficiency to maximize Customer interactions
Offers engaging, consistent, and relevant culinary conversations on the microphone to attract Customers
Serves as the expert in the day's recipes; answers culinary questions; recommends variations and substitute ingredients for food allergy or food lifestyle needs; adapts as needed to customer response, inventory changes, etc.
Suggests distinctive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage pairings
Develops / maintains relationships with Customers by recalling dietary needs / restrictions and wine preferences to tailor future visits; applies observation skills and intuitive selling techniques
Contributes culinary insights, food trends, local trends, and Customer insights to in-Store cooking events
Assists in Cooking classes, Wine education, and Dinner Series execution when applicable
May conduct Connections floor demos
Merchandising: Ensures A+ standards at the Connections kitchen, including maintaining and cleaning fixtures, stocking conditions, plan-o-gram integrity, daily beginning, mid-day, and end-shift recovery, and perpetual inventory
Assists in building / maintaining merchandising displays; uses appropriate signs, tags, and branding for all events
Ensures Customer signage for the daily menu and daily sampling hours is updated and on display
Ensures backstock is worked
Guides customers to multiple product uses; shares product stories on origin, flavor, authenticity, uniqueness, etc.
May support food production for retail sale
Food Safety / Sanitation: Ensures compliance with federal, state, and H-E-B food safety regulations / standards
Completes all required food safety and related trainings
Maintains professional, clean, healthy, and safe work environment
Ensures proper equipment use; cleans / sanitizes kitchen, equipment, and counter tops per the A+ Standards
Operates under 5-S guidelines set by department leader
Preps products for use in demonstrations, sampling, and production, using the mise-en-place method
Uses proper personal protection equipment during operation of the department and during required tasks