Regional Coffee Coordinator  - Northern California/Pacific Northwest

We are currently looking for a  Regional Coffee Coordinator for our Northern California/Pacific Northwest Regions based in either Emeryville, CA or Bellevue, WA. The right person will  have overall responsibility for all aspects of Allegro's coffee/tea/drinking chocolate program within Whole Foods Market for the Northern California/Pacific Northwest Regions.

Ensures that all Allegro beverage programs are executed at Whole Goods Market regional level. Ensures that coffee category and Allegro/365 products achieve Year Over Year sales growth at the region and store levels. Ensures that regional team member training, demonstration, in-store roasting, merchandising, promotion and quality assurance programs are organized and executed in a manner that most effectively benefits Allegro Coffee Company and Whole Foods Market's strategic objectives.

Represents, drives sales and assures quality standards are achieved in all 3 Allegro Coffee's Whole Foods Channels: Pre-packaged, Bulk, and In-Store Roasted and Espresso Bar. Represents, drives sales and assures quality standards are achieved for Allegro Fine Teas, Allegro Drinking Chocolate and 365 Teas.

Responsibilities:

• Store Design:
• Assist and provide expertise in the coffee channel designs for new stores and redesign for existing stores for Whole Foods Markets in the Region.
• Support regional architects, store designers, store team leaders and appropriate department team leaders.
• Promote Allegro's strategy on design, layout and store placement for all three channels.
• Provides advice and champions potential real estate positions within store, layout and design for all 3 channels of distribution. Communicate position and layout to WFM team and Director of Coffee, Whole Foods for approval.
• Merchandising:
• Ensure that the focal point of the grocery coffee set is Allegro/365 products.
• Ensures that other brands within the coffee set are complimentary to the Allegro/365
• All core items are attractively and prominently displayed.
• All signage (branding, promotion, tags, etc) are placed according to plan and in good repair.
• Provide merchandising plan (signage, schematic) for all three channels of distribution for review and approval.
• Ensures that Allegro Fine Teas are displayed prominently in the tea set.
• Ensure that Allegro Drinking Chocolates are displayed prominently in the stores.
• Marketing:
• Manages in store demo program and budget for region.
• Manages and conducts consumer education series.
• Assures that all coffee category promotions are executed to plan.
• Ensures Allegro brand image is implemented and executed to standard and plan.
• Communicate to Store Coordinator marketing or PR opportunities within individual store or region.
• Training:
• Champions and assists in the execution of team member and consumer training and education for all 3 channels of distribution.
• Supports and encourages Allegro training programs.
• Utilize Allegro training book, video and other tools to share Allegro's passion for sourcing and roasting the quality coffees that offer a unique "Taste of Place" experience
• Regional Characteristics
• Tasting Terminology
• Dedication to Sustainability
• Dedication to Freshness
• Utilizes Allegro training program for Allegro Fine Teas and Drinking Chocolates.
• Train Baristi to ensure consistency in drink quality and freshness.
• Train In-Store Roaster to ensure consistency and standards.
• Work with store team to ensure training programs are successfully executed.
• Quality Assurance:
• Conduct at least quarterly "Store Buzz" reviews (announced and unannounced) to establish a benchmark and record improvement for each store.
• Work with store team to ensure that equipment is in good working order and calibrated to standards.
• Work with Coffee Specialist in bin dating and optimal ordering levels to ensure freshness and availability of products.
• Supports regional brewing equipment programs including coordination of equipment purchase,  installation and service.
• Work with regional distribution centers to ensure optimal order levels, rotation and freshness of all Allegro/365/coffee category products.
• Communication:
• Motivate and educate regional team, Coffee Specialist and in-store coffee team on Allegro/365 products.
• Build WFM pride in Allegro products.
• Provide bi-weekly evaluation and requested information to the Director of Coffee - Whole Foods, which may be shared with WFM and/or Allegro.
• Communicate wins, opportunities and business issues with the Director of Coffee - Whole Foods.
• Communicate training sessions, store visits and project schedule.
• Financial:
• Provide coffee leadership and expertise to achieve Year Over Year sales increases in coffee category and Allegro/365 products at the region and individual store levels.
• Utilize TCS and Store Buzz criteria for evaluating and developing store and regional goals for all 3 channels of coffee distribution to build a successful WFM coffee program: schematics, signage, promotional materials, bin dating, brew times, recipe adherence, cleanliness, price/product mix.
• Conducts competitive pricing and retail site surveys. Communicates finding to Director of Coffee - Whole Foods.
• Provides coffee entrepreneurial spirit to Whole Foods Markets.

Qualifications:

Specialty coffee and barista experience recommended. Knowledge of espresso brewing equipment  maintenance desired. Must have a passion for Allegro Coffee Company products. Previous management, training and merchandising experience in a retail setting is highly desirable. Must have strategic organizational skills and be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously with high level of energy and passion for excellence. Must have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) with the ability to work independently and with a diverse range of individuals. Travel requirement is up to 70%. Knowledge of WFM is a plus. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.