About Ess‑a*‑Bagel:* Ess‑a‑Bagel is a 50‑year‑old, family‑owned New York City institution known for producing some of the most respected bagels in the city. The business operates multiple high‑volume retail locations, a wholesale production facility, and airport locations, and continues to expand while maintaining its commitment to quality.
About the Role
Ess-a-Bagel is looking for an enthusiastic, people-first Brand Ambassador to represent our brand on the streets of New York City. You'll be out in the field daily — meeting people, sharing samples, and helping grow our customer base one genuine interaction at a time.
This isn't a passive, hand-out-a-flyer role, but it doesn't have to feel like a hard sell either. The best ambassadors succeed by being warm, authentic, and genuinely excited about what they're representing. If you love people and love New York, you'll fit right in.
What You'll Do
- Work your assigned territory daily, engaging pedestrians and visiting nearby office buildings
- Distribute samples and marketing materials with a friendly, natural approach
- Invite people into the store and introduce them to seasonal promotions and packages (e.g., Summer Getaway Package)
- Represent Ess-a-Bagel with warmth and professionalism at every interaction
- Hit daily targets for building visits, postcard distribution, and new customer enrollments
- Report daily activity to your store manager and weekly metrics to the Director of Catering
Who You Are
- Friendly, approachable, and comfortable striking up conversations with strangers
- Self-motivated — you manage your time well and take your goals seriously
- A good listener who can read the moment and adjust your approach naturally
- Someone who takes pride in the brand they represent
- Enthusiastic about food, New York City, and being part of a 50-year institution
Compensation & Incentives
We offer competitive hourly pay along with a performance bonus for ambassadors who consistently meet their enrollment and referral goals. It's a straightforward structure — show up, engage genuinely, and drive results, and you'll be rewarded for it. Strong performers will also be considered for expanded opportunities as Ess-a-Bagel continues to grow.
What We're Looking For
Product knowledge and route familiarity are things we can teach. What we can't teach is genuine enthusiasm and a natural way with people. We're looking for someone who enjoys being out in the city, talking to people, and representing something they're proud of. If you find energy in human connection and take quiet satisfaction in hitting your goals, this role is a good fit.
The Interview
As part of the process, we'll ask you to walk through a brief role-play scenario — nothing stressful, just a chance to show us how you naturally connect with people.
The Scenario: The Morning Rush
It's 8:45 AM on a Tuesday. You're outside a Midtown office building with a tray of fresh Ess-a-Bagel samples and postcards offering a free coffee with purchase. The morning rush is underway.
We'll play a passerby — maybe someone in a hurry, maybe someone who glances over but keeps moving. We want to see how you engage naturally: how you get someone's attention, share the offer, and leave them with a positive impression of Ess-a-Bagel.
There's no script and no trick. We're just looking for someone who's comfortable, genuine, and fun to interact with.
Physical Requirements
- Must be comfortable standing and walking for extended periods of time.
- This position requires being on your feet for most of the shift while promoting stores and engaging with customers throughout New York City.
Availability Requirements
We are seeking candidates who are available to work a variety of schedules, including full-time shifts from 8:00 AM–4:00 PM or 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, as well as part-time morning and afternoon shifts, including 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM, and 1:00 PM–5:00 PM. Flexibility to work within these scheduled hours is preferred.
Why Join Ess-a-Bagel?
Founded in 1976, Ess-a-Bagel is one of New York City’s most iconic food brands. This is an opportunity to help grow and represent a legendary New York institution throughout the city and community.
Ess-a-Bagel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, national origin, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, unemployment status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, New York State, or New York City law.
We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Pay: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- To be considered for this role, please email a 90-second video (or link via Google Drive/Dropbox) to [email protected] answering:
"Tell us about a customer interaction where you went above and beyond to make them feel special."
Note: Applications without a video submission will not be reviewed.
Work Location: In person
