Food Captain

Circle K is a renowned international convenience store chain operating thousands of locations worldwide, delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. Known for its commitment to innovation and community engagement, Circle K offers customers a diverse array of food, beverages, and convenience products. The company values safety, efficiency, and sustainability throughout its operations, with a strong focus on employee development and training. Circle K operates in various markets including the United States, Canada, and Europe, and continues to grow its presence by fostering a culture of inclusion, equality, and respect for all employees and customers.

The company is currently seeking a Full-Time Food Category Expert to join its team at Store 4705739 located at 1526 Vernon Odom Blvd, Akron, Ohio. This role is pivotal in maintaining and enhancing the food category within the store by ensuring all related operational processes are meticulously followed. The Food Category Expert acts as the central knowledge resource for food products and services, providing support and training to store associates. This position demands evening availability during both weekdays and weekends, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and dedication to meet customer needs in this fast-moving consumer goods environment.

In this role, the Food Category Expert will focus on maximizing sales and reducing waste by maintaining strict adherence to food operational execution standards. Responsibilities include training and coaching store associates on food execution techniques, production, replenishment processes, ordering procedures, organization standards, sanitization protocols, and delivering excellent customer service. Being the go-to person for any food-related queries, the expert plays a critical role in educating and guiding team members to ensure operational excellence.

Additional duties include planning and conducting food sampling events tailored for both employees and customers, which enhance product familiarity and customer engagement. The expert is also responsible for leading in-store training sessions on new foodservice programs, employing a structured train-the-trainer approach to continuously improve team capabilities. Follow-up refresher training ensures that all team members remain updated on best practices and comply with company standards.

The Food Category Expert guarantees that foodservice areas are consistently stocked correctly, with proper food rotation following the FIFO (First In, First Out) method to minimize waste and maintain freshness. The presentation of food items according to the current Planogram is essential to optimize sales and customer appeal. Order management is a key aspect of the job to lower out-of-stock instances and improve shrink control. Monitoring shrink while driving sales and profitability highlights the balance this role must achieve.

Collaboration with Business Unit Quality Assurance Specialists (BUQAS) and training personnel is vital to ensure that both managers and store employees receive comprehensive foodservice training programs. This requires a thorough understanding of food safety practices and procedures, as well as the ability to perform needs analysis and recommend actions based on BUQAS visits. Operating within budgeted expectations underscores the role's strategic importance in cost control and operational efficiency.

The successful candidate will hold at minimum a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional education or training in instruction or retail management being highly valued. Leading or supervisory experience is preferred to manage and influence team dynamics effectively. At least two years of experience in Fast Moving Consumer Goods retail and/or the foodservice industry is required, along with experience in training, leadership, and team building. Effective collaboration, communication, and organizational skills are essential to drive continuous improvement.

Candidates must also possess a Food Manager Certification such as ServSafe or NRFSP approved credentials, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Proficiency in English communication, both verbal and written, is mandatory, with additional French language skills considered an advantage in Quebec provinces. Strong customer service orientation and consistent ability to meet deadlines round out the key qualities sought in a candidate for this role.

Circle K offers a competitive hourly wage range of $12.00 to $15.00 for this position and embraces equal employment opportunities. The company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and relevant state and local disability laws, providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the hiring process. Circle K is committed to a fair and accessible employment process, inviting candidates to request assistance whenever necessary.