Culinary Events Specialist - Raleigh Hills

Job Brief
Now Hiring a Passionate Foodie that loves to coordinate on-site tasting events! This is a 37.5 hrs a week position with Mondays/Tuesdays off. The schedule will likely include mid shifts, 9a-5p or 10a-5p.
In accordance with New Seasons Market COVID-19 policy, full COVID-19 vaccination is required as condition of employment in Oregon & Washington; medical, disability-related and religious exemptions may apply.
Job Title: Culinary Events Specialist
Department: Operations
Job Region: Oregon / SW Washington
Reports-To: Store Manager
Exemption Status (typically): Non-Exempt
Supervisory Responsibility: Not responsible for supervising others.
Requirements: As a retail grocer, we operate 7 days/week and 365 days/year. Our in-store positions are likely to include evening and weekend shifts per the needs of the business. The Culinary Events Specialist is required to have general availability in order to support program needs Wednesday-Sunday with Mondays and Tuesdays off except in cases of pre-planned events.
About us: New Seasons Market began in 2000 when three families got together to open a neighborhood market, a place where local communities can come together to connect with where their food comes from. A friendly, inviting place that honors its region’s farmers, ranchers, growers and makers—helping them prosper for generations to come. Over the years, our community has grown, but our goal is still the same: to build community through good food.
About the role: Leads culinary event activities including vendor & seasonal promotions, customer service, station & program conditions, merchandising, food safety, work safety, and communication. Partners with store and department leadership to leverage promotional opportunities in all departments and ensure an exceptional customer shopping experience. Provides leadership in line with company values and promotes a positive and progressive work environment.
General Requirements:

• Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares product information and assists in locating product throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Builds trust and respect through dependability, organization and follow through.
• Demonstrates adaptability, flexibility and creativity in problem-solving and is solutions-oriented.
• Establishes and maintains effective verbal and written communication systems. Communicates in a professional and constructive manner. Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.
• Bases decisions on analysis, experience, resources and circumstances. Prioritizes and acts decisively under pressure.
• Balances administrative tasks with presence on floor.
• Demonstrates ability to manage own time and models a flexible work style. Shifts tasks as priorities and circumstances change based on needs and conditions of station.
• Represents company values. Works cooperatively and positively with fellow team members, customers and vendors spiriting a respectful workplace where everyone is welcome.
• Gives and receives feedback in a constructive manner demonstrating company Speak Up culture. Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Conserves company resources. Works in a manner consistent with company mission, vision and values and sustainability program.
• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and all local, state and federal regulatory agencies. Contributes to store cleanliness, maintains equipment. Informs store/department management of any problems.
• Observes all company rules and policies. Understands and complies with specific program or location guidelines, tasks and responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities:

• Provides oversight to all areas of the program. Assesses and prioritizes tasks and production.
• Plans and executes product demos and themed tastings. Utilizes tools to develop solid timing and ideas for promotions designed to engage customers and drive sales.
• Ensures that the station is clean, orderly and stocked during events and tastings. Ensures accurate signage for featured products.
• Coordinates in-store events based on new and advertised products, cross-merchandising displays, end cap/in-store promotions and as dictated by the needs of the business.
• Creates recipes as needed for product-specific demos, seasonal items, and customer requests. Tailors recipe delivery systems to meet the need and preferences of store.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with vendors. Provides planning and oversight for in-store vendor demos; communicates and ensures compliance with the Outside Vendor Guidelines.
• Plans for weekly ads, events and holidays using tools and reports. Cultivates positive relationships with staff, remaining up-to-date and informed about current specials, seasonal items, and unique items.
• Communicates upcoming demos and events to the department manager group on a weekly basis, in order to facilitate accurate product ordering.
• Uses knowledge of new/local/partner brand products to increase storewide product familiarity through staff education and internal sampling. Serves as Partner Brand and Local Ambassador on the store-level.
• Supervises holiday ordering procedures. Facilitates staff education and website training and provides customer service resources.
• Facilitates communication between Store Support and store level staff, building cohesion around ad themes and seasonality, utilizing tools such as the field guide, weekly ad, and merchandising communications.
• Oversees distribution of marketing collateral packages to the appropriate department manager. Provides installation guidance to Operations as needed.
• Implements and supports marketing programs. Participates in cross-merchandising meetings and acts as a continuous source of creative ideas and solutions for department managers to increase store sales through marketing and promotional opportunities.
• Learns and shares information with customers about products, vendors and origins.
• Maintains the organization, rotation and cleanliness of back stock areas.
• Demonstrates ability to multi-task and manage own time. Adjusts priorities, productivity, efficiency and speed based on needs and conditions of station and store.
• Observes all rules and policies as listed in the New Seasons Market Staff Handbook and Operations Manual.

Customer Service and Merchandising

• Maintains excellent station conditions, including appearance, cleanliness, signage, and service levels.
• Handles escalated difficult customer service situations and seeks solutions to delight the customer.
• Reads and understands merchandising information. Partners with store and department leadership promote peak seasonal/ad item/holiday products, drive sales and create an optimal customer shopping experience.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of products in the store and general understanding of culinary terminology, product labeling and common dietary restrictions.
• Shares product knowledge with customers and staff. Makes recommendations and suggestions based on customer needs. Establishes consistent program for communicating product information and knowledge to staff.
• Demonstrates an awareness of trends in the industry.

Financial Stewardship

• Ensures that program events adheres to company invoice, credit, transfers and inventory procedures.
• Maintains appropriate, accurate and organized inventory and back stock. Handles damaged and spoiled product according to company policy.
• Demonstrates creativity in merchandising and utilization of products in order to increase sales and minimize waste.
• Tools and Equipment Used (not all inclusive): This position may be required to use the following tools and equipment: baler, hand truck, POS, industrial kitchen equipment (i.e. blast chiller, grill, knives/blades, oven, grills, scales, etc.), basic housekeeping / janitorial and standard office equipment.
• This position works at a Light and Medium level. Required frequently and up to continuously to be on feet with a mix of standing and walking throughout shift. Sitting seldom required. Up to occasionally, dependent on location, required to climb stairs, step stool and /or ladders. Frequently required to grasp, reach, stretch, bend and kneel.
• The person in this position is required to obtain and maintain an Alcohol Server’s Permit (OLCC or MAST depending on location) and maintain completion of all company required Food Handler’s certificates and training.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Seasons Market / New Leaf Community Markers reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet changing industry or business needs as necessary.
What you Bring as a Candidate:

• Friendly and customer service oriented, with an interest in food and cooking.
• 3+ years of grocery, food service or retail experience in a high-volume environment required. Culinary training, professional kitchen experience, food sales or visual merchandising experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of culinary terminology, cooking techniques and common dietary restrictions required.
• Skills to learn and retain knowledge about products throughout the store, including recommended uses and cooking methods, required.
• Basic to intermediate math and computation skills required.
• Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency required. Experience with Excel and inventory software preferred.
• Skills to plan, prioritize and delegate work.
• Skills to work independently, effectively manage own time and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Skills to adapt to the shifting priorities and needs of a retail environment.
• Skills to exercise good judgment at all times.
• Self-motivated, with high attention to detail, quality and presentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Skills to collaborate and communicate effectively and professionally in a team environment and one on one with co-workers, supervisors and customers.
• Skills to manage difficult customer interactions required.
• Skills to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule in order to meet needs of the program.
• Ability to reliably meet required work schedule and adhere to company attendance policy.

Physical and Environmental Work Space: Work occurs in a grocery store environment which includes surfaces that can be wet and slippery, moderate noise level, and temperature extremes in controlled environments in the cooler and freezer, and depending on location, working outside in all temperatures. There may be exposure to certain allergens and / or chemicals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local law, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.69 - $23.37 per hour