Coffee Specialist (Sur La Table)

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, Sur La Table offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table – and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it.

About the role

As a Coffee Specialist at Sur La Table, you are the in-store expert and advocate for all things coffee. This position is responsible for delivering best-in-center service by sharing product knowledge, brewing techniques, and personalized recommendations. The Coffee Specialist will play a key role in driving sales of espresso machines, grinders, coffee makers, and accessories through product demonstrations and educational classes.

Responsibilities

• Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty.
• Lead engaging and informative coffee brewing demonstrations that showcase Sur La Table’s expertise and unique competitive edge offerings.
• Educate customers on a variety of brewing techniques, including pour-over, French Press, AeroPress, espresso, cold brew, and coffee art.
• Guide customers in selecting coffee beans based on flavor profiles, roast levels, and origin.
• Recommend appropriate coffee equipment and maintenance practices based on customer needs.
• Promote and sell coffee products, equipment, and accessories to customers.
• Assist the store in achieving revenue goals by driving customer engagement and conversion through education.
• Consistently meet or exceed culinary program goals by delivering exceptional classes that drive customer engagement and sales.
• Partner with store leaders to ensure alignment between culinary programming and store priorities.
• Collaborate on merchandising strategies that highlight key tools and products featured in classes.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
• Maintain a coffee-ready store environment, ensuring quality and consistency across all in-store brewing methods.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses.
• Ensure store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly.
• Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws and accurately record time worked according to SLT Policy.
• Model and ensure consistent adherence to all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older at time of employment.
• Passion for coffee and in-depth knowledge of brewing methods, coffee origins, and equipment.
• Ability to create engaging, hands-on experiences for customers.
• Strong enthusiasm for coffee and a genuine eagerness to share knowledge with others.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Passion for community engagement and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and retail management systems preferred.
• Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
• Ability to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time.
• Ability to move about the store directing class participants while selling to customers and retrieving merchandise from stockroom or sales floor.
• Capability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors, or to identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose.
• Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from stockroom or sales floor.
• Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise grind, tamp, steam, pour, froth, and demonstrate coffee brewing techniques.
• Ability to lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders to retrieve and/or move merchandise.
• Ability to operate a computer, POS system, keyboards, merchandise scanners, and mouse to accomplish work.
• Available to work between 12 and 16 hours per week, with a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Regular and predictable attendance with the flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand, ensuring 3-4 classes are taught per week.
• Ability to work in a coffee bar area with exposure to hot equipment, steam, varying temperatures, and potential airborne and physical coffee-related allergens.

Performance Metrics

• Second-class sign-ups
• Retail culinary product sales
• Guest feedback through Google reviews