Experienced Cheesemonger

Work with associates in the cheese department to ensure that all objectives and goals of the department and store, as communicated by the cheese department manager and store director, are met or exceeded. Provides excellent customer service while serving and selling the highest quality products.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  

· Create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional customer service. Follow through on all customer questions and requests.  

· Understand why our products are different than conventional stores and be able to communicate the differences to customers.  

· Grow product knowledge by reading product information and by tasting and researching cheese varieties. Be able to convey knowledge to customers by answering questions, offering samples and making recommendations and cheese pairing suggestions.  

· Ensure that cheese quality, quantity, freshness, and presentation meet all company standards (freshest and highest quality)  

· Maintain proper product assortment, merchandising and inventory control. Keep cheese case full, leaving as little in back-stock as possible.  

· Sample department products to customers and department associates.  

· Maintain accurate retail pricing and signage.  

· Properly package and wrap products for retail sale. Make sure cutting, wrapping and labeling of product looks neat, presentable and appetizing.   

· Maintain all product in the department by checking the date and quality, rewrapping and/or trimming as needed to maintain excellence.   

· Ensure all items are labeled, dated, covered and rotated. Keep department supplies filled and maintained.  

· Keep all cases, floors, shelves and work station clean.  

· Work with team members to ensure the selling floor/aisles are cleared and well maintained.  

· Maintain sanitation conditions in the department, comply with safety procedures, identify unsafe conditions and notify store management.  

· Document product transfers, waste and spoilage using appropriate forms.  

· Help cross-merchandise product with other departments.  

· Perform opening and closing responsibilities as scheduled.  

· Accept and process product from receiver.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  

None.  

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Furthermore, the individual must be able to multi-task and work at different paces, meet deadlines, and have reliable attendance. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.   

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

• Excellent customer service skills and a positive attitude  
• Ability to collaborate and lead as well as be self-directed  
• Ability to manage multiple assignments at once  
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy   
• Excellent customer service skills  
• Ability to learn and retain an in-depth knowledge of all products carried in department.  
• Ability to follow instructions and procedures.  
• Effective time management skills, strong work ethic and integrity.  
• Able to answer customer questions in a clear and service-oriented manner.  
• Able to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the department. Which include working days, evenings, weekends and holidays.  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency  
• Must have a valid Oregon Food Handler card  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE  

Successful experience working in a retail environment with strong demonstrated customer service skills. Ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of artisan cheese.  

LANGUAGE SKILLS  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations. Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from other managers, store managers, vendors & customers.  

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS  

Strong basic math skills including the ability to add, multiply, divide, subtract and calculate percentages. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages and discounts.  

REASONING ABILITY  

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

· Stand for long periods of time  

· Bend, lift, push and pull carts with heavy loads  

· Proper use of a box cutter, knives, cheese slicer and other department devices  

· Frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds  

· Frequent bending, stooping, and climbing  

· Frequent use of stairs  

· Repetitive stretching and lifting required  

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

· Exposure to temperature variations and wet conditions  

· May walk and work on uneven surfaces  

· Requires reaching above and below shoulder height  

· May need to use a ladder or stool to reach product or supplies  

· Exposure to continuous background noise  

· Walking surfaces are sometimes slick  

· Any item over 40 pounds requires a team lift