Join Our Deli Team at the Moscow Food Co-op Downtown and on the UI Campus!
Are you passionate about great food and exceptional customer service? The Moscow Food Co-op is looking for friendly, reliable, and enthusiastic individuals to join our Deli Staff.
As a member of our Deli team, you’ll:
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Provide outstanding customer service and promote deli offerings
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Prepare and serve sandwiches, hot and cold beverages at our coffee bar
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Offer product samples and assist with packaging deli items
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Maintain cleanliness and organization in your workspace
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Follow supervisor instructions and work effectively as part of a team
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Open and close the deli as scheduled
Requirements:
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Positive, upbeat attitude and ability to work with diverse customers
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Strong teamwork and communication skills
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Punctuality and reliability, including planning ahead for absences
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Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs
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Basic math and general kitchen skills
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Must obtain Idaho Food Safety Certification (can be acquired after hiring)
Schedule & Availability:
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Full-time: 35–40 hours/week
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Part-time: 20–29 hours/week
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Shifts: Open/Early Mornings, Mid/closing shifts; Days Vary
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Must be available on weekends, holidays, and during university breaks
Why Work at the Co-op?
We’re a community-oriented, values-driven workplace offering a supportive environment, living wages, and excellent benefits. In a recent employee survey, staff overwhelmingly said they’re proud to work here!
All employees receive:
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20% store discount
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Paid Time Off (PTO)
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401(k) retirement plan participation
Full-time employees also receive:
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance
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Short-term disability coverage
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Accidental & hospital insurance
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Telemedicine & mental health support
Part-time employees working 20+ hours/week receive:
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Dental insurance
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Short-term disability, accidental & hospital insurance
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Telemedicine & mental health support
Job Description
The Deli Staff plays a vital role in creating an outstanding customer experience by providing friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient service while preparing and serving high-quality food and beverages. Every interaction is an opportunity to build relationships with customers, answer questions, make recommendations, and create a welcoming environment that keeps customers coming back.
Deli Staff are responsible for maintaining an attractive, fully stocked, clean, and organized department while ensuring the highest standards of food quality, food safety, and sanitation. Team members are expected to stay productive throughout every shift by anticipating customer needs, restocking displays, cleaning, completing assigned tasks, and helping teammates whenever customer demand is low.
This position works closely with the Deli Manager and Deli leadership team to achieve department goals related to customer service, sales, labor, food quality, and operational excellence.
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Welcome every customer promptly with a friendly, positive attitude and provide exceptional service throughout their visit.
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Engage customers in conversation, answer questions, make recommendations, and educate customers about deli products, ingredients, and specials.
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Learn the names and preferences of regular customers to build lasting relationships.
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Offer samples and suggest complementary products to enhance the customer experience and increase sales.
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Prioritize customers over tasks by immediately assisting anyone waiting for service.
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Resolve customer concerns professionally and communicate customer feedback to leadership.
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Prepare sandwiches, salads, beverages, grab-and-go items, and other menu offerings according to established recipes and quality standards.
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Serve customers from the deli counter, hot bar, salad bar, pastry case, soup station, and coffee bar with speed, accuracy, and friendliness.
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Prepare espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, and other specialty beverages while following established recipes and presentation standards.
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Operate scales, espresso equipment, and other department equipment safely and efficiently.
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Open and close assigned service areas using established checklists.
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Keep the hot bar, salad bar, soup station, grab-and-go case, pastry case, beverage stations, and service counters fully stocked, fresh, and visually appealing throughout the day.
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Continuously replenish products, supplies, condiments, packaging, and service ware before they become depleted.
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Merchandise products to maximize sales while maintaining attractive displays and proper rotation.
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Ensure all products are accurately labeled, priced, and dated.
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Monitor product quality and freshness, removing any product that does not meet department standards.
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Record food waste accurately and communicate inventory needs to department leadership.
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Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting department at all times, including customer service areas, dining areas, equipment, prep spaces, and workstations.
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Follow all food safety, sanitation, and personal hygiene standards established by the Idaho Health Department and the Moscow Food Co-op.
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Wash hands frequently and maintain excellent personal hygiene and professional appearance.
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Clean and sanitize equipment, utensils, cutting boards, knives, counters, service cases, steam tables, soup wells, and work surfaces throughout the shift.
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Complete daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks.
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Work with dishwashing staff to maintain an adequate supply of clean dishes and equipment.
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Remain productive throughout every shift by seeking out work without being directed.
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Restock, clean, organize, prepare products, and complete task lists during slower customer periods.
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Help coworkers and other departments when department responsibilities are complete.
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Follow direction from the Deli Manager, Shift Leads, and Managers on Duty (MODs).
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Communicate inventory shortages, maintenance concerns, food safety issues, and operational opportunities promptly.
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Contribute to a positive, respectful, and team-oriented work environment.
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Complete all other duties assigned by department leadership.
Customer service is the top priority of this position. Co-op staff are expected to create friendly, welcoming, and helpful experiences for every customer. Employees should proactively greet customers (30 second rule), remain approachable and engaged on the sales floor, and respond to questions with professionalism and care.
Staff should demonstrate:
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
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A positive and solutions-oriented attitude.
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Patience, professionalism, and respect for diverse customer needs and perspectives.
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A willingness to learn about products and continuously improve product knowledge.
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Consistent attention to detail and follow-through.
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Provide excellent customer service by creating a friendly, welcoming, and helpful experience for every customer.
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Remain approachable, attentive, and professional while assisting customers, coworkers, and vendors.
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Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members regarding customer concerns, product issues, and operational needs.
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Offer product suggestions and respond to questions with professionalism, patience, and respect for diverse customer needs and perspectives.
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Maintain a positive, solutions-oriented attitude and continuously build product and operational knowledge.
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Work cooperatively with all departments to support a respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented workplace culture.
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Demonstrate flexibility by assisting in other areas of the store, including cashier backup and cross-department support as needed.
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Follow the direction of the Manager on Duty (MOD) and contribute to department and store-wide initiatives.
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Assist with staff training and participate in Co-op meetings, inventories, and required training.
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Maintain excellent attendance, punctuality, and scheduling flexibility, including arriving on time and following break and time-off policies.
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Follow established opening, closing, safety, and operational procedures.
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Maintain accurate use of scheduling and timekeeping systems and assist with shift coverage when needed.
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Ensure a safe, organized, and professional environment for customers and staff through attention to detail and follow-through.
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Commitment to the mission, values, and customer service standards of the Moscow Food Co-op.
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High school diploma or equivalent required; previous deli, food service, coffee shop, barista, or customer service experience preferred.
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Passion for providing exceptional customer service and creating a welcoming experience for every customer.
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Friendly, outgoing, and confident communicating with customers, building relationships, answering questions, and making product recommendations.
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Positive attitude with a strong work ethic, sense of urgency, and willingness to stay busy throughout the shift.
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Self-motivated and able to identify priorities, complete tasks independently, and take initiative without constant supervision.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
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Dependable, organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
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Works effectively as part of a team while also being able to work independently.
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Ability to maintain high standards of cleanliness, organization, food safety, and product presentation.
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Basic computer, cash handling, and math skills.
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Ability to safely operate deli and coffee equipment, including espresso machines, blenders, scales, slicers, and other department equipment.
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Holds or is able to obtain a current Idaho Food Safety Card.
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Willingness to learn new skills, cross-train, and adapt to changing department and business needs.
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Regular, predictable attendance is required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
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Must be at least 18 years of age.
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Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while working in a fast-paced environment.
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Frequently kneel, stoop, squat, bend, twist, reach, and perform repetitive motions throughout the workday.
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Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
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Ability to safely operate deli, kitchen, and coffee equipment.
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Ability to work in refrigerated, heated, and confined work areas while maintaining a high level of productivity.
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Manual dexterity to prepare food, operate equipment, and perform cleaning and stocking duties efficiently.
The duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and physical requirements described in this job description are intended to describe the general nature of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Employees may be required to perform additional duties as assigned to meet the operational needs of the Moscow Food Co-op. The Co-op reserves the right to modify this job description at any time to reflect changing business needs or organizational priorities.
