Master Cheesemonger

Metropolitan Market; Mercer Island (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Market on Mercer Island is seeking a Cheese Department lead responsible for product management, promotions, merchandising, and overall profitability of specialty cheese, deli meats, olives, and antipasto offerings. The role emphasizes quality control, sanitation, and customer service while managing labor and expenses.

You will train team members, support promotions, and ensure accurate labeling and HACCP compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years’ experience in cheese product merchandising, production, sanitation, and sales.
• Minimum three years of customer service experience.
• One year supervisory experience preferred.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensures proficiency in cheese production tasks and labeling.
• Maintains inventory to support merchandising and sales potential.
• Provides feedback on product quality to managers and vendors.
• Maintains stocking standards and rotation procedures for quality control.
• Develops and maintains cheese product information to boost sales and guest satisfaction.
• Participates in product promotions and focus areas.
• Trains department team members in cheese production, packaging, and handling.

Skills

Cheese production knowledge

Merchandising & promotions

Customer service

Sales growth

Team training

Sanitation & quality control

Job description

THE ROLE

As a key leader of our Cheese Department, this position is responsible for product management, ads and promotions, merchandising, quality control, food safety, sanitation, sales generation, gross margins, labor and general expense control, personnel development, customer service, and profitability related to specialty cheese products, deli meats and cheeses, and olive and antipasto offerings.

MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU’D DO

• Ensures proficiency in cheese production tasks; consistently achieves all cheese production procedures, sanitation, and cutting and wrapping standards; ensures cheese quality and freshness through product rotation and portion control; works to guarantee products are properly labeled; promptly notifies Prepared Foodsmanagers of any difficulties with labeling procedures or equipment.


• Ensures the effective ordering of specialty cheese products; maintains product inventory at a level that supports creative, effective merchandising and maximizes sales potential.


• Assesses product quality and provides timely feedback to Prepared Foods Manager,Prepared FoodsAssistant Manager, Prepared Foods & Cheese Coordinator, and/or vendors.


• Maintains stocking standards that ensure high product quality, including rotation procedures. Incorporates cleaning with stocking and rotation requirements.


• Develops and maintains specialty cheese product information material, including beverage, fruit, and food pairings, to ensure increased sales, guest satisfaction, and repeat business.


• Readily participates in product promotions and focuses.


• Adheres to food temperature requirements, including hot and cold holding specifications. Promptly discards any products that do not meet HACCP and Department of Health standards or appear less than presentable under Metropolitan Market’s quality expectations.


• Effectively trains Cheese Departmentteam members in the areas of cheese production, including packaging, portion control, equipment use, and proper handling and storage of products.


• Provides outstanding customer service and readily communicates product information to increase sales and meet revenue goals; uses product information to increase sales and best service guests.


• Provides basic cheese knowledge and product information to the Cheese Department team members; coaches how to discuss products with guests in an appealing manner when educating and sampling cheese with team members.


• Assists with quarterly physical inventories and practices inventory control.


• Prevents internal and external loss.


• Demonstrates dependability and flexibility; meets attendance requirements.


• Performs other duties as assigned by the Prepared Foods leadership.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Minimum four years’ experience in cheese product merchandising, production, sanitation, and sales.


• Must possess a minimum of three years of customer service experience.


• One year supervisory experience preferred.


• Must possess a minimum of three years of customer service experience.


• Demonstrates a high-level of self-motivation; takes initiative; problem solves.


• Possesses comprehensive product information with a proven history of using knowledge to best service guests.


• Strong communication skills.


• Ability to effectively follow-through.


• Excellent time management and organizational skills.


• Proven ability to positively affect sales generation.


• Able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.