Coffee Specialist (Sur La Table)

Job description

With over 58 stores and the largest avocational cooking program in the US, **Sur La Table** offers an unsurpassed selection of exclusive and premium-quality goods for the kitchen and table – and the culinary expertise and inspiration to go along with it. Whether the job entails interacting with our customers, driving digital growth, or providing vital behind-the-scenes support, we’re all here for the same reason – to roll up our sleeves and create happiness through cooking and sharing good food. As a **Coffee Specialist** at Sur La Table, you are the in-store expert and advocate for all things, coffee. This position is responsible for delivering **#bestincenter** service by sharing product knowledge, brewing techniques, and personalized recommendations. The **Coffee Specialist** will play a key role in driving sales of espresso machines, grinders, coffee makers, and accessories through product demonstrations and educational classes. **Key Responsibilities** **Customer Experience & Brand Representation** · Represent Sur La Table’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty. · Lead engaging and informative coffee brewing demonstrations that showcase our Sur La Table’s expertise and unique competitive edge offerings. · Educate customers on a variety of brewing techniques, including pour-over, French Press, AeroPress, espresso, cold brew, and coffee art. · Guide customers in selecting coffee beans based on flavor profiles, roast levels, and origin. **Sales & Business Performance** · Recommend appropriate coffee equipment and maintenance practices based on customer needs. · Promote and sell coffee products, equipment, and accessories to customers. · Assist the store in achieving revenue goals by driving customer engagement and conversion through education. · Consistently meet or exceed culinary program goals by delivering exceptional classes that drive customer engagement and sales. Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales, and guest feedback through Google reviews. **Team Engagement & Store Support** · Partner with store leaders to ensure alignment between culinary programming and store priorities. · Collaborate on merchandising strategies that highlight key tools and products featured in classes. **Operations & Compliance** · Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations. · Always maintains a coffee-ready store environment, ensuring quality and consistency across all in-store brewing methods. · Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses. · Ensure store safety and cleanliness, addressing any maintenance needs promptly. · Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws. Accurately records time worked according to SLT Policy. · Model and ensure consistent adherence to all Sur La Table policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs). **Physical Requirements** · Ability to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers. · Ability to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time. · Ability to move about the store directing class participants while selling to customers and retrieving merchandise from stockroom or sales floor. · The capability to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in intensity or quality of flavors or odors, or to identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose. · Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from stockroom or sales floor. · Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise to grind, tamp, steam, pour, froth, and/or demonstrate other coffee brewing techniques. · Ability to lift and/or move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs. · Ability to ascend/descend ladders to retrieve and/or move merchandise. · Ability to operate a computer, POS system, keyboards, merchandise scanners and mouse to accomplish work. · Available to work between 12 and 16 hours per week, with a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays. While this is the minimum availability, scheduled hours may differ based on business needs. · Regular and predictable attendance with the flexibility to adjust class assignments based on demand, ensuring 3-4 classes are taught per week. · Ability to work in a coffee bar area with exposure to hot equipment, steam, varying temperatures, and potential airborne and physical coffee-related allergens. **Qualifications & Experience** · Must be 18 years of age or older at time of employment. · Passion for coffee and in-depth knowledge of brewing methods, coffee origins and equipment. · Ability to create engaging, hands-on experiences for customers. · Strong enthusiasm for coffee and a genuine eagerness to share knowledge with others. · Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. · Passion for community engagement and delivering exceptional customer experiences. · Proficiency in Microsoft Office and retail management systems preferred.