Cheese Specialist

Fresh Thyme Market; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Scheduling flexibility

Paid parental leave

Team member discount

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Fresh Thyme Market is seeking a Cheesemonger to serve as the in-store cheese expert, educating customers and delivering exceptional service. You will handle cheese cutting, wrapping, labeling, rotation, and stock levels while ensuring safety and cleanliness.

You will interact with shoppers, offer product information, and influence cross-departmental purchases. The role requires 2+ years in retail, cheese knowledge, and strong merchandising skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Extensive knowledge of natural cheeses and proper handling of products.
• 2+ years of retail experience, preferably with cheese.
• Advanced merchandising and product recommendation skills.
• Ability to quickly build rapport with customers and create repeat business.
• Ability to stand for long periods and to lift, carry, push, pull, and twist while handling product.

Responsibilities

• Extensive knowledge of Natural Cheeses; including proper handling of products during cutting and wrapping, labelling, product rotation and stocking the cases following the established schematics and watching for outdated, close dated or spoiled items
• Offers positive information to customers regarding product attributes, uses, serving suggestions, selling or influencing cross-departmental purchases
• Completes orders with suppliers, receives and inspects for accuracy of shipment, watches for short life or damaged goods, inspects temperature of shipments
• Requires operating and using equipment such as scales, knives, cheese wires, wrappers, pallet jacks and hand trucks
• Ensures cleanliness of all work areas, storage areas, display cases
• Walks the cases frequently to ensure organized and attractive presentation, proper scale tags and case signage
• Must be familiar with Health Department standards and guidelines regarding food handling
• Manages the department schedule, training, hiring, coaching and completing competitive shops

Skills

Customer service

Cheese knowledge

Merchandising

Product recommendations

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

If you're someone who has a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives, join us as we work to be a trusted resource in our communities, offering real people, real food at real affordable prices across the Midwest. If you are ready to immerse yourself in an environment, that helps shoppers naturally, intuitively, and enjoyably find real, honest, affordable goodness to meet them wherever they are on their wellness journey, we'd like to hear from you. Join us to begin YOUR journey and be a part of the Fresh Thyme Market Team!

Fresh Thyme Rewards

• Weekly pay
• Scheduling flexibility
• Paid parental leave
• Team member discount
• Career growth opportunities

As a Cheesemonger, you will support our pillars of quality and experience by being the in-store expert assisting and educating our customers regarding the Cheese Shoppe. You will deliver remarkable customer service by providing exceptional product knowledge, efficient service and a friendly attitude.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Extensive knowledge of Natural Cheeses; including proper handling of products during cutting and wrapping, labelling, product rotation and stocking the cases following the established schematics and watching for outdated, close dated or spoiled items
• Offers positive information to customers regarding product attributes, uses, serving suggestions, selling or influencing cross-departmental purchases
• Completes orders with suppliers, receives and inspects for accuracy of shipment, watches for short life or damaged goods, inspects temperature of shipments
• Requires operating and using equipment such as scales, knives, cheese wires, wrappers, pallet jacks and hand trucks
• Ensures cleanliness of all work areas, storage areas, display cases
• Walks the cases frequently to ensure organized and attractive presentation, proper scale tags and case signage
• Must be familiar with Health Department standards and guidelines regarding food handling
• Manages the department schedule, training, hiring, coaching and completing competitive shops

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess a high level of customer service.
• 2+ years of retail experience, preferably working with cheese.
• Culinary/cheese knowledge or continued cheese/culinary education a plus. Knowledge and passion for specialization of cheese, such as brands, varieties, pairing, textures, origins, tastes, etc. preferred.
• Advanced merchandising and product recommendation skills.
• Ability to quickly build rapport and gain customer confidence to create repeat business.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, bend, and twist while handling product.

At Fresh Thyme, our team members Thrive. We offer competitive compensation, incentive programs, and recognition programs that allows our most successful team members to be rewarded for their passion, dedication, and the results they consistently drive. Therefore, we are committed to offering competitive pay that reflects market standards and ensures consistency within our organization.

The pay range for this position is listed below. The actual rate offered will meet or surpass the legal wage requirement for the job's location.

$16.05 - $25.15

This pay range represents the minimum and maximum base pay for the position, which is determined by factors such as market data, the qualifications required, the level of responsibilities associated with the role and other roles at this same level. Specific pay rates will be within this range and based on your experience, qualifications, and skills compared to the internal team of this role.

Our team members Thrive because we are committed to the whole person. Not only do we offer a comprehensive benefits package for our full-time team members that includes medical, dental, and life insurance, but we also offer a variety of programs designed to support our part-time members as well. ALL Fresh Thyme team members enjoy paid parental leave, our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, and our 401(k) plan with an employer match. We are dedicated to creating a work environment that promotes work-life balance, long-term health and financial security, and continuous professional development. Come Thrive with us!