Cheese Manager
Company : Roche Bros.
Location : Needham, MA, 02492
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
To effectively plan, organize, lead, coordinate, and optimize the materials and human resources in the department to provide variety and high quality merchandise. Create appealing displays to maximize the sales and profit of the cheese department while maintaining great customer service.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must be 18 years of age.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Successful experience in the cheese operation (i.e., merchandising, ordering, inventorying, and pricing).
- Complete training in the cheese operation.
- Ability to display initiative and work with limited supervision.
- Must be Servsafe certified.
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, with the ability to follow instructions.
- Ability to work a scheduled based on the business needs of the store location.
- Authorized to work within the U.S.
Responsibilities
The list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary by the company.
- Provide an open door atmosphere conducive to high associate morale and excellent customer service. Achieve the highest associate morale in the industry by managing in a style that is Respectful, Supportive and Totally Team Oriented (RSTO).
- Commit to the “Golden Rule” and working with associates to build a strong cheese team.
- Promote the company image as a service-oriented operation where every associate will greet, assist, render efficient service and thank customers in a prompt, courteous, friendly, and business-like manner.
- Ensure the department achieves the standards of performance as outlined in the work and merchandising plan.
- Possess good communication skills and the ability to conduct and facilitate department meetings.
- Ensure all new department associates receive proper review and training of job descriptions, goals, and objectives.
- Individual and department successful completion of the onboarding/e-learnings and checklist within 30 days of hire/entering the department.
- Ensure fair and consistent treatment in administering discipline to promote high associate morale.
- Guarantee the best-trained cheese team in the industry. Train and develop associates in accordance with the company policy and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, thus compliance with all state and federal laws applicable to our industry (i.e., dress code, labor/scheduling laws, sanitation regulations, etc.).
- Process merchandise according to production guidelines and follow established sanitation standard.
- Offer product suggestions.
- Ensure the department is merchandised in accordance with the needs of the community and following department sales and merchandising initiatives.
- Stock display cases and keep all cheese merchandise rotated in accordance with company policy and product code dates and always make use of the oldest products first (first in, first out).
- Receive and unload delivery; store product in designated area to ensure freshness.
- Prepare, wrap, weigh, label and price cheeses, and any other cheese shop related products.
- Practice the “Cleaner’s Creed” and proper sanitation procedures.
- Monitor the cooler and display cases for correct temperature settings to assure product quality; report any refrigeration failure immediately.
- Maintain the freezer, cooler, equipment, and work area to the sanitation standards of the company.
- Maintain accurate records (receiving logs, invoices, inventory, etc.), and respond timely to all department mail.
- Plan work schedules and breaks.
Secondary Job Functions:
- Restock and use supply items efficiently to eliminate waste and to maintain the lowest supply cost.
- Keep display cases, cooler and freezer organized and clean; clean walls, fans, drains, and equipment.
- Promote sampling merchandise.
- Notify management of associate theft, customer shoplifting, unauthorized mark downs or property defacement.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Physical Demands: (per work day)
The physical demands and safety risk factors of the job listed below may occur during each work shift and are listed according to their frequency.
Physical Demands
Frequency
Crawling and sitting.
0% (N) Never
Pushing and pulling up to 300 lbs., lifting up to 45 lbs, climbing up to 8 feet, kneeling, and crouching.
1-33% (O) Occasionally
Carrying up to 45 lbs, bending, balancing, stooping, and reaching at waist or overhead.
34-66% (F) Frequently
Standing and walking on tile or concrete, handling, fingering, feeling, talking, seeing, hearing, and smelling.
67-100% (C) Continuously
Safety Risk Factors
Frequency
Loud noise, slippery or cluttered floor surface, hazardous cleaning solutions, contact with skin irritant, toxic exposure (see material safety data sheet), nuisance dust, fumes, and sprays, and hazardous cleaning solutions.
1-33% (O) Occasionally
Twisting of back and neck.
34-66% (F) Frequently
Contact with sharp objects.
67-100% (C) Continuously
Machines, tools, and equipment utilized:
Cheese knives, knives, wrapper, scale, slicer, pricing gun, approved cleaning supplies and equipment, trash compactor.
Repetitive Action:
Continuous movement of entire body.
Working Conditions: Working environment is inside and may have exposure to cold temperatures. es, tools, equipment, etc.eese knives, knives, wrapper, scale, slicer, pricingproved cleaning supplies and equipment, trash compactor.
Hiring Range: In accordance with MA Pay Transparency requirements, the following represents a good faith estimate of the hiring range for this position. At Roche Bros., we carefully consider a wide range of non-discriminatory factors when determining salary. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to education, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. The hiring range for this position is $21.70 - $28.20 per hour.
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Frequently asked questions
Roche Bros. emphasizes a respectful, team-oriented leadership style for their Cheese Managers, focusing heavily on associate morale and customer service. This approach fosters a supportive environment that may contrast with more transactional management styles found elsewhere, enhancing both team cohesion and shopping experience.
Managing cheese in Needham requires adapting to local customer preferences and seasonal demand fluctuations. The colder climate also means vigilant temperature monitoring in coolers to maintain cheese quality, while competition with nearby specialty shops may influence merchandising and product variety choices.
In Massachusetts, ServSafe certification is often mandatory for food management roles including Cheese Managers. Additionally, hands-on cheese operation experience and compliance with state sanitation laws are highly valued, ensuring safe handling and quality control in line with regional food safety standards.
Success hinges on multitasking abilities such as inventory control, pricing strategy, and team leadership. Effective communication to train associates and create attractive cheese displays also plays a key role. Plus, strong organizational skills help maintain sanitation standards and product rotation for freshness.
A Cheese Manager can progress by gaining expertise in broader food and beverage management or moving into regional grocery operations. Developing skills in merchandising strategy and team leadership opens pathways to roles like store manager or specialized positions in cheese production and quality control.
Roche Bros. weaves its Cheese Managers into a culture centered on the 'golden rule' and team respect. Managers are entrusted to cultivate morale, lead with supportiveness, and uphold high customer service standards, reflecting the company's commitment to a friendly and efficient shopping atmosphere.
Expect a physically active role involving frequent lifting, stocking, and equipment handling in temperature-controlled settings. The environment requires adherence to strict sanitation protocols while managing cooler temperatures, ensuring product quality and safety in a dynamic retail space.
Needham’s competitive grocery sector drives steady demand for skilled Cheese Managers who combine product knowledge with leadership. Local preferences for artisanal and specialty cheeses elevate the need for knowledgeable managers, while area labor laws and cost of living also shape hiring dynamics.
Cheese Managers at Roche Bros. in Needham generally earn between $21.70 and $28.20 per hour, reflecting Massachusetts’ pay transparency laws. Salaries vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity, positioning this role competitively within regional food management jobs.
Yes, Roche Bros. mandates comprehensive cheese operation training ensuring managers can expertly manage merchandising, ordering, and product preparation. This equips managers to maintain product quality and innovation, aligning with the company’s reputation for high-quality cheese offerings.