Cheese Monger

SUMMARY

The Niemann Harvest Market Cheese Monger manages department operations including but not limited to maximizing gross margins, ensuring sales production, controlling inventory and expenses. The Cheese Monger is responsible for training, delegating, and assisting Associates on their completion of assigned tasks. The Cheese Monger develops and maintains our Vendors, Makers and Producers relationships and works with other departments with cross merchandising. The Cheese Monger will assist the Store Director in creating a positive store atmosphere for customers and a positive working environment for Associates while fostering the Niemann Harvest Market culture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivers superior guest service and ensure absolute customer satisfaction
• Learn and use the three E’s: Engagement, Educate, Empowerment
• The “Expert” in cheese, cheese pairings and cheese accoutrements
• Understands the shopper’s cheese application and help them determine the best option for their needs
• Analyze and measure business trends; develop and implement plans to maximize sales and meet or exceed goals and objectives
• Ensures appropriate merchandise stock levels, merchandise adjacencies and presentations; signing and assortment in the department; ensure selling floor is adequately stocked
• Reviews department/store trends and recommend and initiate changes for maximizing goals and objectives.
• Works with internal culinary departments to utilize cheese/butter in other end products
• Quality assurance checks in all areas of the department
• Source and manage new items and is responsible for resets and planograms
• Responsible for company assets including receiving, invoicing, pricing, shrink control, and inventory of Cheese Department.
• Ensures compliance with all laws, policies and procedures through regular store management and staff meetings, store walk through and audits, etc. Act as NFI's representative both within the store and within the community
• Continually evaluates and reacts to performance issues
• Maintains records of item information;  Vendor, product details, retails and gross margins
• Operate and use all equipment necessary to run the department
• Work varied hours/days to oversee department operations
• Develops effective daily/weekly work plan based on weekly sales projections and budgeted labor goals
• Merchandise planning and execution that leads to a well merchandised store
• Stock levels and best practices throughout the Cheese Department
• Personnel responsibilities for all Cheese Associates
• Follows all Health Code guidelines
• Works within company programs, policies and procedures
• Enforces safety policies and procedures; is a safety role model
• Other duties as assigned

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Passion/purpose
• Foodie/farmer
• Thirst for knowledge/curious/inquisitive
• People enthusiast/outgoing
• Genuine
• Good communicator/desire to share
• Trendy/fun
• Honest
• Techie
• Cheese Expert
• Leadership skills
• Organized and detailed
• High Energy Level
• Ability to multi-task
• Adaptability

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises a varied number of Associates in the Cheese Department
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. 
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Training Associates; planning, assigning, and directing work.
• Appraising performance; rewarding and coaching Associates.
• Addressing complaints and resolving problems

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 2 years cheese-specific/focused experience. 
• Cheese Knowledge certification preferred

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Basic math concepts (addition, subtraction, division, multiplication), percentages, distribution, penetration, gross profit and sales per associate hour

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Manager Food Handlers Certificate provided at store level
• Cheese Knowledge Certification

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• Slip resistant shoes with closed toe and heel
• Safety Cutter
• Pallet jack
• Ladder
• Stepladder
• Computer
• Uniform per store policy
• Associates may be required to use standard cheese equipment including, but not limited to,
• Mixer
• Butter churn equipment
• Wrapper

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Regularly (Over 2/3 of the time)

• Stand
• Walk
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Stoop
• Kneel
• Crouch
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds   

Frequently (Between 1/3 to 2/3 of the time)

• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds          

Occasionally (Less than 1/3 of the time)

• Sit
• Climb
• Balance
• Stoop
• Kneel
• Crouch
• Overhead lifting
• Taste or Smell
• Crawl
• Lift and/or move up to 100 pounds

Vision

• Close
• Distance
• Ability to adjust focus
• Ability to distinguish colors
• Peripheral
• Depth perception

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Regularly

• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Cold

 Occasionally

• Wet and/or humid conditions
• Extreme cold
• Toxic or caustic chemicals

NOISE LEVEL

Regularly

• Moderate

**Niemann Foods Management retains the discretion to add to or change the position requirements at any time.                                                     

**Position requirements may vary by store location