(FT) Cheese & Specialty Food Associate

HONEST WEIGHT FOOD COOPERATIVE, INC.; West Albany (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Honest Weight Food Cooperative, Inc. in West Albany, NY, is hiring a Full-Time Cheese & Specialty Food Associate to support the Cheese Department Manager and provide friendly customer service. You will handle purchasing, receiving, merchandising, and daily department maintenance while lifting up to 60 lbs and working evenings and weekends. Open date 7/27/2026; 32–40 hours weekly.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with cheese, specialty foods and natural foods.
• Ability to safely lift 60 lbs. continuously.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Flexible scheduling including weekends and evenings.
• Good organization and attention to detail.
• Willingness to cover varying shifts as department needs change.

Responsibilities

• Purchasing & Receiving: assist with deliveries, verify counts and weights, help with unloading.
• Customer & Member Service: answer questions, assist with samples and special orders, train member workers as needed.
• Department Maintenance: keep areas clean and orderly, assist with setup and closing, report repairs.
• Merchandising: replenish displays, rotate stock, ensure signage is correct and attractive.
• Personnel: attend department and staff meetings.

Skills

cheese knowledge

customer service

heavy lifting

team collaboration

Job description

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Category Retail

Close Date

Full Time - Cheese & Speciality Food Associate

Purpose: To assist the Cheese Department Manager and Assistant Manager in operating the Cheese/Specialty Food Department and meeting the goals of the Cheese Department and to provide friendly customer service.

Status: $17.00/hour,Non-Exempt, full-time 32-40 hours, must be able to work evenings and weekends

Supervisor: Cheese & Specialty Food Manager

Job Responsibilities:

Purchasing & Receiving:

• Assist with deliveries, including checking order for quality, verifying piece count and weights, helping with unloading as needed
• Assist with storage of back stock

Customer & Member Service:

• Assist customers with questions and special orders
• Offer samples and suggestions for purchase and preparation in a friendly, courteous manner
• Assist with the training of member workers in proper handling of products and department cleaning procedures as necessary
• As necessary, supervise member workers during shifts, assigning tasks relevant to current needs of the department

Department Maintenance:

• Keep retail, prep, and storage areas in clean, orderly condition. This includes, but is not limited to, removing trash, breaking down boxes, (cleaning cases, cleaning surfaces, washing sink)
• Assist in morning set-up or evening closing as needed
• Note and advise Cheese Department Manager or Assistant Manager of any repairs, replacements, and/or additions needed to maintain equipment
• Replenish materials such as bags, containers, twist ties, labels, brochures and recipes as necessary to ensure consistent availability

Merchandising:

• Replenish and rotate displays, culling daily, and follow established stocking priorities
• Trim cheeses as needed
• Dispose of damaged or spoiled products with appropriate notification to Cheese Department Manager or Assistant Manager.
• Front and Face all stock; assure signage is correct and attractive
• Arrange retail display area to accommodate changes in merchandise

Personnel:

• Attend department meetings and all staff meetings

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time and/or Part-Time

Open Date 7/27/2026

Position: Cheese and Specialty, Associate

Position Requirements

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with cheese, specialty food, and natural foods
• Ability to safely lift 60 lbs. continuously and consistently
• Ability to project friendly, helpful presence to customers while maintaining a professional demeanor
• Ability to follow written and oral directions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Organized, with attention to details
• Flexibility in scheduling, including availability to work weekends and evenings, willingness to exchange shifts with co-workers, willingness to cover additional shifts if needed, and willingness to alter work schedule to meet changing needs of the department

Shift Rotating Days and Evenings

This position is currently accepting applications.