Cheese Buyer / Deli Lead

Why Work with Us?

For many people, it's the opportunity to work for an inclusive, local, values driven business that provides healthy, delicious, and sustainable foods to their community; it's also about people - the ability to work with a great team to create amazing customer experiences. Whatever your reason for joining us, know this, working with us makes a difference!

Position Summary:

The Cheese Buyer/Deli Leads support the Deli Manager in ensuring a great customer experience, that the team is working effectively together, the department is well stocked, organized and clean. They help customers, support and supervise staff, order product, and ensure the area is safe, friendly, and inviting. This role will also work closely with the Purchasing and Deli teams to ensure cheese offerings are well-stocked, visually appealing, and follow food and safety rules.

Their main responsibilities include customer service, supporting and supervising staff (directing, coaching, and training), preparing and packing food, keeping things safe and healthy, ordering and organizing supplies, and helping to create a welcoming environment.

Location: 1500 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Schedule: 5 shifts per week, 6a - 2p and 9a - 5p. Current shifts available may vary and can include day, evening, weekend, and holiday hours to meet department needs. Flexibility required to meet business needs.

Who We're Looking For:

• Customer Service: Proven ability to engage with customers, team members, and vendors in a friendly and approachable manner; skilled at actively listening, understanding needs, addressing questions, and providing solutions; committed to resolving customer concerns and ensuring a positive experience
• Food Handling: Direct experience with food handling and safety in a food service environment
• Teamwork: Demonstrates a collaborative, adaptable, and flexible attitude, especially during challenging situations, with a strong commitment to being a team player; ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external partners; willing to learn new tasks and open to feedback
• Communication: Proven ability to effectively communicate with customers, vendors, and staff; ability to provide information in a timely, clear, and concise manner to ensure effective outcomes; ability to proactively communicate suggestions to improve systems, processes, issues, and concerns to leadership
• Leadership Skills: A demonstrated interest and ability to provide day to day direction, feedback, and coaching to staff; the desire to grow as people leaders; the ability to actively contribute to and support an inclusive work environment
• Time Management: Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently in order to complete daily tasks effectively in a fast-paced retail environment; ability to plan and execute efficient and timely orders
• Problem Solving: Sound problem-solving skills to address issues related to product availability, staffing, and customer complaints; ability to develop contingency plans and make informed decisions based on data and trends, while handling challenging situations calmly and effectively
• Dependability: Proven ability to show up each day in a timely manner, ready to work and support team members; consistently follow through with meeting deadlines for accurately completing tasks and responsibilities
• Technical Skills: Basic computer skills, including document drafting, email, and navigating Excel spreadsheets; basic math skills; ability to quickly and accurately perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to learn and use new technology and order processing systems
• Detail Orientation: Excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy of work tasks and orders; ability to identify errors and discrepancies
• Initiative: Ability to assess situations, department needs, and proactively address; share suggestions with department manager and purchasing team to improve systems and processes
• Diversity Awareness: Ability to respect people from all different backgrounds, including race, gender, experiences, abilities; help to create a positive and inclusive environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Food Service: Direct experience with food preparation including oversight of quality and safety
• Industry Knowledge: Deli, cheese, or food service experience
• Retail Experience: Experience in fast paced retail setting
• Supervision: Supervisory experience including staff direction, coaching, feedback, and training
• Inventory: Proficient in inventory control and replenishment; experience in maintaining sufficient stock levels, effective in minimizing overstock and out of stock
• Financial Literacy: Demonstrated understanding of financial statements (sales, margin)
• ServSafe Certification
• Multilingual

Benefits: Our pay and benefits focus on meeting the financial, health, and wellness needs of our staff. They include:

• 20% employee discount
• Competitive paid time off and paid volunteering
• 401(k) matching
• Low-cost health insurance premium options, and FREE access to primary care and mental health counseling for those enrolled in our medical insurance
• EAP
• On Demand Pay

We offer exceptional perks including:

• Free food "buddies"
• Employee referral bonuses
• Dress code that allows for inclusivity and creativity

Physical and Working Requirements:

The position involves frequent stationary tasks, along with regular movement within the deli and storage areas. Occasional positioning is required to access both low and high shelving, equipment, and products. The job also entails the frequent movement of containers weighing up to 50 lbs. Team members in this role may occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to reach high shelving and will utilize various equipment, including but not limited to knives, slicers, ovens, cheese slicers, and hot plates. This role requires exchanging accurate information in person, over the phone, and through email and other written communication. Additionally, team members may occasionally work in a walk-in cooler and/or freezer and be exposed to sanitizer, cleaning products, natural molds, and loud noises. This position requires an individual to be at least 18 years old.