Hotel Chocolat - Retail and Barista Associate (Hubbard Woods, Winnetka, IL)

Mars • Chicago, IL

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Hotel Chocolat Sales Associate is responsible for ensuring that customers are welcomed into stores and provided with excellent service, making sure that our stores, inclusive of all elements of Retail, Food & Beverage, are well presented according to our Retail Excellence guidelines. To accomplish Hotel Chocolat’s mission of ‘Making People Happy Through Chocolate’. Product knowledge is vital to the brand image.

Requirements

• Customer service – previous experience of working in customer service is not essential. A positive attitude and desire to work in a customer facing environment are of greater importance.
• Teamwork – can demonstrate previous experience of working as part of a team to achieve a shared goal or target. Understands that working in retail means being flexible to support colleagues and workload according to needs.
• Merchandising skills – Able to identify product types and use guidelines to ensure displays are well presented and stocked according to specifications, seasonal promotions, and special offers.
• Communication – asks relevant questions to ensure they are listening carefully to customers individual needs and reacting accordingly. Adapting their style to different customer types. Communicates openly and honestly with respect and clarity with colleagues and manager.
• Product knowledge – able to learn about a diverse range of products but also able to understand the background to those products- how they’re grown and produced as well as a passion for cocoa, and a strong desire to learn about people’s differing tastes and any relevant allergens. Always ready to learn about new products and innovations as they are introduced.
• I use my initiative to get things done.
• I take ownership of my development, with the support of my Line Manager.
• I treat everyone with respect and call out behavior that goes against this when I see it.
• I listen carefully to all colleagues and customers.
• I have a passion for what we do at HC and I am an ambassador for the brand.
• I build good working relationships with colleagues and am comfortable working with new people.
• I understand that wellbeing is a priority and know where and how to seek support.
• I consider the HC values when making decisions.
• I think of ways to make my customers lives better or easier.
• I deliver what I say I will, taking accountability and ownership for my actions

Responsibilities

• Providing excellent customer experiences through delivery of our experience program, Phoenix, which will include welcoming customers, exploring the customer needs and being available to answer any questions or provide any support they may need, to deliver an excellent customer journey in our stores through retail, whilst optimizing sales through effective customer experience and selling techniques.
• Being a Brand Ambassador and sharing and developing retail and cocoa knowledge to give all customers a consistent customer experience.
• Learning the range of products including the variety of products and categories sold, how cocoa is grown and products are manufactured, allergens and commitments to sustainability and ethics. Running tasting sessions and demonstrations for customers of products.
• Working with the team on receiving deliveries, adhering to H&S guidelines, and ensuring stock is safely secured in stockroom areas. On the shop floor, ensuring stock is presented appropriately according to guidelines, kept clean and tidy and best before dates are adhered to.
• Ensuring Health & Safety compliance through effective Daily Operations. Maintaining outstanding hygiene & cleanliness standards throughout the store. Maintaining all aspects of store security in accordance with company policies & procedures (example: Cash, Stock, IT, Buildings, H&S). In the absence of the Store Manager and Assistant Manager, being responsible for the opening and closing procedures for the store & all business requirements whilst holding the store and Keys.

Benefits

• Competitive wages starting at $18/hour
• Flexible Schedules
• 401K and paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Mental Health benefits 8 FREE face-to-face counseling visits per issue per calendar year
• Ongoing Developmental Programs
• Corporate/ Store Discounts
• Career Opportunities within the store and in Mars Inc

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed