Central Market Houston Tasting Specialist - Full-Time - Central Market

Overview:Central Market is a specialty grocery that started in Austin, Texas in 1994, and has grown to multiple locations across the state. What makes Central Market one of the freshest markets in the country - Try a sumptuous selection of everything edible, for starters. We go straight to the source to bring you the finest food and drink the world has to offer. With hundreds of cheeses, thousands of wines, acres of produce, and aisles of experts, Central Market is a foodie’s wonderland. Our commitment beyond the plate is another reason we’re a cut above. We believe food is a way of uniting families and communities, of preserving cultures, and of starting new traditions. Each of our stores is a market in the truest sense and is a place to exchange goods, services, and ideas for those really into food.

Responsibilities:OBJECTIVE: Provides a service to Customers and demonstrates and sells product through educating customers in product uses and location. Works under direct supervision performing assigned demo tasks following established Food Safety and Standard Operating Procedures. Applies basic knowledge, skills, techniques and tools to perform assigned tasks. Use of moderately specialized subject matter knowledge is required. Excellent proactive Customer Service and communication skills are required for Customer engagement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist the Customer anywhere in the store with moderate to broad food knowledge.
Promote sales through moderate to broad ingredient, food preparation, recipe and product knowledge
Based in Center Store but able to set up and man a demo or sample stations anywhere in the store and sells specific product through manned station following the guidelines provided
Sets up assigned demo stations procuring product and tracking usage
Track and record ROI of manned stations
Use down-time to face shelves and keep department clean
Helps maintain sampling stations
Provides superior, proactive customer service
Uses suggestive selling techniques to maximize sales
Educates customers in recipe suggestions, preparation methods and cooking techniques for demo products
Assist Customers in physical need of assistance
Answers Customer's questions about product and explains merits to influence Customer's purchase
Demonstrates a curiosity for food and explores current food trends through books, magazines, articles, cooking classes, and other avenues
Exhibits varied interest/knowledge in cooking to include knowledge of ingredients and preparation methods
Maintains food safety standards and sanitation in the department

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE PREFERRED
Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience in Selling and/or Customer Service
Basic food knowledge and experience
Knowledge of parings and flavor profiles and/or willingness to learn profiles
Exhibit interest, knowledge and ability in food preparation and cooking methods
Food safety certification preferred
Attend a minimum of 70% all available on-site Vendor Training classes
Successfully complete the Foodie knowledge review annually
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as weights, discounts, percentages, and volume

PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Exposed to moving mechanical parts; small, confined spaces; cleaning chemicals and airport particles
The noise level is moderate
Lift moderately heavy loads up to 50 lbs. individually with potential for heavier loads when team-lifting
Ability to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and squat
Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
Ability to push/pull heavy loads of 75 lbs

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to small, confined areas and may be exposed to a variety of cleaning chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The environment is fast paced and requires long periods of time standing and walking with a moderate amount of repetitive hand motions

10-2012