Central Market (Houston) Food Demo Tasting Specialist - Full time

Foodie Position

Provides a service to customers and demonstrates and sells products through educating customers in product uses and location. Works under direct supervision performing assigned demo tasks following established food safety and standard operating procedures. Applies basic knowledge, skills, techniques, and tools to perform assigned tasks. Use of moderately specialized subject matter knowledge is required. Excellent proactive customer service and communication skills are required for customer engagement.

Assists the customer anywhere in the store with moderate to broad food knowledge. Promotes sales through moderate to broad ingredient, food preparation, recipe, and product knowledge. Based in center store but able to set up and man demo or sample stations anywhere in the store and sells specific product through manned station following the guidelines provided. Sets up assigned demo stations procuring product and tracking usage. Tracks and records ROI of manned stations. Uses down-time to face shelves and keep department clean. Helps maintain sampling stations. Provides superior, proactive customer service. Uses suggestive selling techniques to maximize sales. Educates customers in recipe suggestions, preparation methods, and cooking techniques for demo products. Assists customers in physical need of assistance. Answers customer's questions about product and explains merits to influence customer's purchase. Demonstrates a curiosity for food and explores current food trends through books, magazines, articles, cooking classes, and other avenues. Exhibits varied interest/knowledge in cooking to include knowledge of ingredients and preparation methods. Maintains food safety standards and sanitation in the department.

Qualifications and key requirements include: work experience typically requires 1-3 years of related experience in selling and/or customer service. Basic food knowledge and experience is required. Knowledge of parings and flavor profiles and/or willingness to learn profiles is required. Exhibit interest, knowledge, and ability in food preparation and cooking methods. Successfully complete the foodie knowledge review annually. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as weights, discounts, percentages, and volume. Food safety certification is preferred. Attend a minimum of 70% of all available on-site vendor training classes.

Physical demands and working conditions include exposure to moving mechanical parts, small, confined spaces, cleaning chemicals, and airport particles. The noise level is moderate. Lift moderately heavy loads up to 50 lbs. individually with potential for heavier loads when team-lifting. Ability to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and squat. Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time. Ability to push/pull heavy loads of 75 lbs.