Cheese Experience Lead & Merchandising Expert

Responsible for creating a unique customer cheese experience that will embody the food passion, cheese knowledge, interactive customer service, team leadership and industry leading merchandising that is uniquely Murray’s Cheese. Work closely with Fresh Foods Merchandising and District Staff, as well as the direct reports to create an environment of outgoing, personal, theatrical cheese retailing within the store environment. Role Model proactive selling and superior product knowledge to drive sales in a targeted manner. Essential Job Functions Create and maintain the Murray’s Cheese experience: interactive customer service, ongoing product education, effective cross-selling, merchandising, pushing and promoting designated products Maintain knowledgeable, efficient, friendly staff fully trained in Murray’s operations and products Ensure all Harris Teeter and Murray’s policies, operating standards, and procedures are communicated effectively, maintained, and followed at all times Ensure that staff adheres to all Food Safety, HACCP and Sanitation Procedures Place orders and maintain inventory Responsible for setting up weekly in-store selling events (cross-departmental tastings, classes, dinners) Contribute to store goals for increasing sales and improving profit Effectively control shrink and waste by following Murray’s and Harris Teeter’s best practices Control labor expenses through appropriate scheduling Meet and/or exceed budgetary goals for the Murray’s Cheese Shop Offer product samples to help customers discover new items or products they inquire about Inform customers of Murray's Cheese specials Provide customers with fresh products that they have ordered and the correct portion size, or as close as possible to the amount ordered, to prevent shrink Adequately prepare, package, label and inventory ingredients in merchandise Check product quality to ensure freshness Review "sell by" dates and take appropriate action Label, stock and inventory department merchandise Adhere to all local, state and federal health and civil code regulations Comply with all state, county and local weights and measures laws and labeling requirements Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and temperature logs are kept Safety Programs Reinforce safety programs by complying with safety procedures and identifying unsafe conditions and notifying store management Practice preventive maintenance by properly inspecting equipment and notifying appropriate department or store manager of any items in need of repair Notify management of customer or employee accidents Report all safety risks, or issues and illegal activity, including robbery, theft or fraud Competencies / Skills Adaptability – Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures. Building Strategic Working Relationships – Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals. Building Trust – Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization. Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. Customer Focus – Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one's actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships. Continuous Improvement – Originating action to improve existing conditions and processes, using appropriate methods to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and measure impact. Decision Making – Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences. Inclusion – Appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, and motivation for a direct effect on business results. Managing Work (includes Time Management) – Effectively managing one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently. Planning and Organizing – Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently. Results Oriented – Setting high goals for personal and group accomplishment: using measurement methods to monitor progress toward goal attainment; tenaciously working to meet or exceed those goals while deriving satisfaction from the process of goal achievement and continuous improvement. Safety Awareness – Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards. Technical/Professional Knowledge, Compliance and Skills – Achieving a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position and/or related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise. Ensures associates and location comply with laws and regulation applicable to the company. Qualifications Management experience and/or Food Retail Experience and/or 2-year Culinary Degree Willingness to taste cheese, in accordance with company policies Supportive of cheese business initiatives Able to inspire, motivate and train staff while ensuring successful completion of all assigned tasks Excellent communication skills Ability to multi‑task Able to stand for long periods of time A strong desire to learn, enthusiasm for the product, and an interest and willingness to try new and innovative approaches (to service, management and merchandising) will have a critical impact on the success of this position Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The associate is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The associate must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds (occasionally lift up to 50 pounds) and reach from 6-72 inches. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color and depth perception. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. The associate constantly works in a moderate environment and is frequently exposed to hot, cool, and extreme cold, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Benefits You will be eligible for Harris Teeter’s group benefit plans that pertain to your position upon the completion of applicable waiting periods. Your eligibility for these benefits is subject to the terms of the applicable plan and Harris Teeter policy. Location KILL DEVIL HILLS, NORTH CAROLINA, STORE 175 - KILL DEVIL HILLS Posting Date May 13, 2026 Equal Employment Opportunity Equal access to employment, services and programs is available to all persons. It is the policy of Harris Teeter to provide equal opportunity for all applicants and candidates for employment and to administer all human resource practices such as recruiting, hiring, promoting, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization. #J-18808-Ljbffr