Central Market (Houston) Food Demo Tasting Specialist - Part time

About Central Market

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 is our sumptuous selection of everything edible. 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 unites families and communities, preserves cultures, and starts new traditions. Each store is a true market—a place to exchange goods, services, and ideas for those passionate about food.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers anywhere in the store with moderate to broad food knowledge.
• Promote sales through ingredient, food preparation, recipe, and product knowledge.
• Set up and manage demo or sample stations anywhere in the store, following provided guidelines to sell specific products.
• Track and record ROI of manned stations.
• Use downtime to face shelves and maintain department cleanliness.
• Help maintain sampling stations.
• Provide superior, proactive customer service using suggestive selling techniques to maximize sales.
• Educate customers on recipe suggestions, preparation methods, and cooking techniques for demo products.
• Assist customers with physical needs and answer questions about products, explaining merits to influence purchases.
• Demonstrate curiosity for food and explore current food trends through books, magazines, articles, cooking classes, and other avenues.
• Exhibit varied interest and knowledge in cooking, including ingredients and preparation methods.
• Maintain food safety standards and sanitation in the department.

The responsibilities outlined above describe the general nature and level of work but are not exhaustive. Duties may be modified based on business needs, and employees may perform other related tasks as requested.

Requirements

• 1-3 years of related experience in selling and/or customer service.
• Basic food knowledge and experience (required).
• Knowledge of pairings and flavor profiles, or willingness to learn (required).
• Interest, knowledge, and ability in food preparation and cooking methods (required).
• Successfully complete the Foodie knowledge review annually (required).
• Ability to calculate figures such as weights, discounts, percentages, and volume (required).
• Food safety certification (preferred).
• Attend a minimum of 70% of all available on-site Vendor Training classes (required).

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Exposed to moving mechanical parts, small confined spaces, cleaning chemicals, and airborne particles.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.
• 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.
• Fast-paced environment requiring long periods of standing, walking, and repetitive hand motions.