Demo Specialist - Part-time - Store #08

The Demo Specialist will be responsible for providing the sampling of The Fresh Market's recipes, products, convenient meal solutions and other related items to our customers. The Demo Specialist will works in a fast paced, multitasked environment. Primary job duties include sampling and selling specified products, cooking per specified recipes, engaging with customer to answer questions regarding cooking and meal ideas, and providing excellent customer service. The Demo Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all safety and sanitation requirements are carried out at all times. Also, the Demo Specialist will partner with other departments to ensure adequate product inventory, determine appropriate prep needed, and will be responsible for following all store policies and procedures.

Core Accountabilities:

• Demonstrate the ability to be organized, to work independently and with all other departments to provide the highest quality shopping experience, all while maintaining the overall appearance of the demo station and sales floor.
• Actively sell and educate customers on products by providing sampling, cooking/serving suggestions, pairing suggestions, etc.
• Organize and implement all events at sampling station to include set up, event execution, clean up and completion of event paperwork.
• Coordinate sampling station calendar to accommodate required corporate programs, local vendors, etc.
• Work closely with all departments in order to determine products needed, coordinate ordering and prep work required to execute demo/sampling events.
• Responsible for ordering demo supplies and maintaining demo equipment for all demo/sampling events.
• Quality and safety duties include storing, transporting and cooking food products according to food safety guidelines, following proper cleaning and sanitation procedures and operating equipment in a safe and focused manner.
• Prep area cleaning includes rinsing and sanitizing all equipment, containers, counter space and storage racks. Adhere to all local, state, and federal health and civil code regulations.
• Observe all store rules, company policies and handbook guidelines.
• Must wear appropriate and required work attire.

Key Outputs/Results:

• Proactively engage with customers in a friendly manner.
• Being able to listen to others' points of view and recognizing and appreciating differences.
• Prioritizing requests and department activities while managing interruptions and attending to details to complete tasks within deadlines is a must.
• Utilize training resources and fellow team members to educate self and others about product uses and characteristics.
• Have knowledge of products carried throughout the store to provide and assist customers with product suggestion, recipe ideas and meal solutions.
• Have knowledge of products within the Coffee/Candy, Bulk and Gift/Floral departments to accommodate customer requests to provide excellent customer service.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Oral and written communication skills that allow for productive communication with co-workers, management and customers.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Strong ability to influence customers purchasing behavior.
• Strong demonstrated food knowledge and basic to intermediate cooking skills.
• Ability to handle, cook and sample product from all departments, including meat and seafood.

What you bring to the job:

• Ability to follow through on deliverables and meet objectives and deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills including ability to knowledgeably and enthusiastically educate customers on products, recipes, meal solutions programs, etc.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Superior customer focus
• Be a team player, goal-oriented
• Excellent time management
• Ability to perform in an intense, fast paced environment

Work Environment/Physical Responsibilities

• Work involves continuous interaction with customers and co-workers in a fast-paced environment
• Typical motions include repetitive hand and arm movements, repetitive grasping, bending and reaching
• Responsible for moving or lifting an average of 10-40 pounds with a maximum weight lifted of 70 pounds occasionally
• Exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, freezer, outdoors, etc.)
• Will be required to spend the majority of time on his or her feet and stand or walk without a break for up to 5 hours