Specialist, Retail Cheese

Full-time pay range: $28.20/Hr. - $41.29/Hr.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (available after 30 days)
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and paid sick time
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company-designated holidays

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others—and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Responsibilities

• Support onsite customer employees with the initial establishment and continued support of an internal cheese shop, including ordering products for setup, transmitting orders, and setting up display cases by cutting, wrapping, pricing, and merchandising products.
• Provide customer support to store patrons, including recommendations for cheese pairings, portions, and complementary foods.
• Train and instruct customer employees on all cheese monger activities.
• Present, sell, and execute promotional activities to maximize sales and minimize residual quantities.
• Assist in planning and executing display programs as designated by the customer at both store and corporate levels.
• Educate customers on store needs based on trends and support stocking of back stock in cheese and deli.
• Deliver exceptional customer service to store management, personnel, and the public while adhering to customer policies and KeHE standards.
• Refill, reset, and merchandise cheese products for display, including rewrapping and packaging, following “best practices guidelines.”
• Provide sales support and training to customer sales teams, including product recommendations and pairing suggestions.
• Comply with health, sanitation, and safety policies and procedures, including handling knives and cutters for resizing or trimming cheese products.
• Inspect products for quality using visual and olfactory senses.
• Transport products using carts, U-boats, L-boats, or pallet jacks.
• Communicate with KeHE personnel and Account Executives regarding product discrepancies, merchandising needs, and customer requirements.
• Plan and carry out daily schedules according to assigned customer locations, managing timelines and responding to workload fluctuations.
• Travel throughout assigned territory to meet customer and KeHE requirements.
• Unbox vendor goods and disassemble boxes for recycling.
• Operate field-based electronic equipment for communication and timekeeping.
• Operate a motor vehicle to travel to and from customer locations.
• Attend training and meetings as required to meet customer and KeHE standards.
• Create and transmit orders for product replenishment in a timely manner, verifying accuracy with KeHE personnel.
• Apply knowledge of product and temperature-sensitive protocols (cold chain) when transporting cheese products.
• Maintain a clean personal work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned to fulfill company objectives.

Requirements

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and basic math skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic skill in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Must become Siebel literate within 90 days of hire.
• Minimum of two years of experience in service deli knowledge—cheese, deli, or perishable goods.
• Valid driver’s license and maintenance of a driving record that meets KeHE’s standards.
• Reliable transportation; if using a personal vehicle, must maintain automobile liability coverage meeting state financial responsibility laws.
• Ability to work independently or with customer employees, applying excellent communication and customer service skills.

Work Environment

The work environment is primarily indoors, with exposure to variable temperatures from dry and cold product climates. The employee may also experience temperature variations during travel throughout the assigned geographical territory. Vinyl floor covering is typical at customer sites.

Schedule

The work schedule is 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, with varying start times. Work hours and shifts are subject to change based on business conditions and needs. Overtime, holidays, or weekends may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Medium physical demand: Exerts 10-20 pounds of force occasionally to move objects and product.
• Requires constant standing and walking, with frequent use of upper extremities to reach, handle, grasp, and use cutting and wrapping tools.
• Must follow proper health, safety, grooming, hygiene, and dress code standards.
• Must apply temperature-sensitive protocols when transporting products.
• Ability to manage time and multiple competing demands, adhering to schedules and deadlines while maintaining composure in pressure situations.