Specialty Cheese Associate

Pemberton Farms; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Pemberton Farms Marketplace in Cambridge, MA is seeking a passionate Specialty Cheese Associate. You will cut, wrap, label, and merchandise cheeses, assist customers with pairing recommendations, and maintain inviting displays.

The role emphasizes product knowledge and guest-focused service in a bustling cheese department. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and peak periods is required; prior experience with cheese or specialty foods is a plus, and a strong commitment to sanitation is

Qualifications

• Experience merchandising, preparing, or selling specialty cheese preferred.
• Passion for cheese, specialty foods, and culinary arts is a plus.
• Strong customer service track record.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team.
• High standards of food safety and sanitation.
• Comfort operating department equipment like electric slicers.
• Good math for weighing and pricing products.

Responsibilities

• Cut, wrap, label, price and merchandise cheeses and charcuterie.
• Maintain attractive cheese displays per merchandising standards.
• Assist customers with product recommendations and tasting notes.
• Develop knowledge of artisan cheeses and accompaniments.
• Monitor inventory and communicate replenishment needs.

Skills

Merchandising

Customer service

Food safety

Attention to detail

Basic math

Team player

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Independent work

Tools

Electric slicers

Job description

Pemberton Farms is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Specialty Cheese Associate to join our team. If you have a passion for artisan cheese, specialty foods, culinary arts, and food and beverage pairings, we would love to hear from you. This position offers the opportunity to work with a diverse selection of domestic and imported cheeses while helping customers discover new products and create memorable dining experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Cut, wrap, label, price, and merchandise specialty cheeses and charcuterie products.
• Maintain attractive, fully stocked, and organized cheese displays that meet company merchandising standards.
• Follow recipes and prepare, package, label and stock housemade specialty items and bulk products.
• Assist customers by providing product recommendations, tasting notes, serving suggestions, and food and beverage pairing guidance.
• Develop product knowledge of artisan cheeses, cured meats, accompaniments, and specialty grocery items.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate replenishment needs to management.
• Receive, inspect, and properly store deliveries while ensuring product quality and accuracy.
• Maintain organization and cleanliness of the cheese department, prep areas, display cases, and backstock cooler.
• Rotate products according to freshness and food safety standards.
• Monitor product quality and remove damaged, expired, or unsellable merchandise.
• Operate and sanitize department equipment, including electric slicers, scales, wrapping equipment, and refrigeration units.
• Follow all health, sanitation, food safety, and weights-and-measures regulations.
• Assist with department promotions, sampling programs, seasonal displays, and special store events.
• Build strong customer relationships through exceptional service and product expertise.

Qualifications

• Previous experience merchandising, preparing, or selling specialty cheese products preferred.
• Candidates with a strong personal passion for cheese, specialty foods, and culinary arts will also be considered.
• Demonstrated success providing outstanding customer service.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product presentation.
• Ability to follow established procedures and maintain high standards of food safety and sanitation.
• Comfortable operating electric slicers and other department equipment.
• Basic math skills for weighing, pricing, and inventory-related tasks.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods.

From the time he opened his fruit and vegetable shop in 1930, Granddad Tofic Saidnawey packed every order with only premium-quality fruit. And, he gave his customers far better service than they were used to receiving.
Today, more than 90 years and three generations later, we still maintain Granddad's unmatched levels of product quality and customer service.
Granddad's fruit and vegetable shop has evolved into today's Pemberton Farms Marketplace - a unique combination of premium gift business, specialty grocery store and garden center. Currently located in Cambridge, MA just up the street from the original store, Pemberton Farms Marketplace proudly serves the local community of Boston and maintains the standards of quality and service from generations past.
And even though we have old-fashioned values about quality and service, we embrace progress and are mindful of the future. We are excited to offer natural, organic and locally sourced products as well as foods that help our customers with special diets - gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free - and provide an array of products for people who are concerned about our planet - organic, sustainable, GMO-free, fair trade and more.
Whether you need a great gift, stop in for some groceries, a bottle of wine or new plants for your garden, we're here to help and are proud to be your friends and neighbor.