Factory Store Associate

COMPANY BACKGROUND

At Taza Chocolate we make organic, stone ground chocolate. We want our cacao’s complex flavors to shout loud and proud. That is why we stone grind cacao beans into minimally processed chocolate with bold flavor and texture, unlike anything you have ever tasted.

JOB SUMMARY

Taza is organized into two major functions: Production and Operations (including Sales, Marketing & Retail). Factory Store & Tours Associate performs an important role on the Retail team. They provide outstanding customer service and readily engage and educate customers about Taza Chocolate practices and products. They contribute to volume sales growth as forecasted in monthly sales goals.

A Factory Store & Tours Associate is responsible for two jobs - Tour Guide and Customer Service Associate. As a Tour Guide, they give interesting, exciting, engaging 45-minute tours of our manufacturing facility, teaching guests about how cacao is grown, our unique Direct Trade program, and our manufacturing process. As a Customer Service Associate, they answer questions about products, offer samples, and ring purchases up using the in-store POS system, as well as completing housekeeping tasks in the store throughout the day. The ideal candidate for the Factory Store & Tours Associate role is excited to combine both these roles into one!

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Service Associate:

• Conduct daily opening and closing sales procedures including cash drawer reconciliation and end day Sales Summary print out.
• Contribute to the consistent maintenance and refreshment of store product merchandising.
• Responsible for accurate product pricing and loss prevention.
• Assist with completion of monthly inventory counts.
• Help to train new store staff, as needed.
• Work with store team to carry out to-do schedule and maximize productivity during store shifts.
• Assist the Retail Operations Manager and Assistant Retail Operations Manager with event preparation as needed; identifying supply needs, merchandising, set-up & breakdown, etc.

Tour Guide:

• Set up and break down regularly scheduled tour tastings, including sample presentation, cleaning, & re-stocking.
• Lead tours with enthusiasm and ensure a fun, educational experience that provides accurate information about our history, mission, manufacturing processes, and products.

EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must thrive in a fast-paced environment, have exceptional customer service skills (including strong verbal and written communication skills), and must be able to adapt easily to changes in workflow.

• Experience in retail or service industry required
• Strong interpersonal skills
• High level of enthusiasm and self-motivation
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
• Flexible work schedule required including weekend and holiday availability. Peak business periods may require extended work days and work weeks
• Ability to lift and move product weighing up to 30 pounds

HOURS

This is a non-exempt position. Hours for the position are determined by the Taza retail schedule, and defined by the Retail Operations Manager. Weekend and holiday availability are required. Taza’s Factory Store and Tour business currently operates Monday-Friday, 11am-6pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm. In addition, Taza regularly participates in or hosts off-site and on-site events.

COMPENSATON AND BENEFITS

The hourly rate for this position is $17.50. All full-time employees are eligible for Taza's benefit package including paid time off; medical, dental and vision insurance; group life insurance; paid family medical leave; and plenty of great chocolate!