AUSTIN MICHENER
Tomball
Summary
Experienced retail food specialist with a strong background in multi-store operations, team training, and specialty product merchandising. Proven track record of leading 50+ locations to achieve brand consistency, elevate customer experience, and exceed sales targets. Skilled in staff development, vendor collaboration, performance analysis, and executing high-impact in-store programs. Recognized for hands-on leadership, operational excellence, and building strong cross-functional relationships.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cheese Specialist
Murray's Cheese
11.2019 - Current
- Led operations for 51 Murray’s Cheese shops within the Houston division, ensuring consistent execution of brand and company standards.
- Trained and coached store teams on customer experience, product knowledge, and POS/computer system usage.
- Facilitated in-depth training sessions to enhance cheese expertise across teams, enabling effective customer education.
- Provided hands-on instruction in cheese cutting techniques and wrapping guidelines.
- Conducted monthly conference calls to review performance metrics and reinforce merchandising standards.
- Performed in-store audits to assess visual merchandising, product presentation, and compliance with operational benchmarks.
- Built strong relationships with in-store leadership including Cheese Masters, Deli Managers, Store Leaders, and District Managers.
- Partnered with vendor teams to ensure optimal product support and promotional execution.
- Created and managed in-store contests to boost engagement, morale, and sales performance.
Cheese Master
King Soopers
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Delivered exceptional customer service by educating shoppers on cheese varieties, period specials, and pairing recommendations.
- Maintained rigorous food quality and safety standards through careful inspection of shipments, oversight of preparation processes, and compliance monitoring.
- Successfully passed multiple food safety audits with high scores.
- Consistently earned strong customer satisfaction ratings.
- Conducted daily inventory of cheese products and related materials to ensure accurate stock levels and reduce shrink.
- Motivated and guided team members to consistently perform at high levels and deliver excellent service experience.
- Ensured full compliance with standards and initiatives set by the Enterprise.
- Executed corporate programs and merchandising standards to drive sales and enhance the customer experience.
- Managed shrink through exit strategies, sampling programs, in-store specials, and by monitoring ESI billings.
- Regularly exceeded sales targets through a combination of product expertise, team leadership, and in-store execution.
- Led store-level hiring events, including interviewing and onboarding new team members as part of “Pass-the-Baton” initiatives.
Zone Manager
Flatiron Provisions
10.2015 - 02.2019
- Oversaw Boar’s Head product performance (meats, cheeses, charcuterie) across all King Soopers and Sprouts Deli departments in Northern Colorado.
- Partnered with Deli Managers to optimize ordering, manage shrink (via exit strategies), plan sales events, and implement sales-driving initiatives.
- Rolled out and trained teams on PACS (Proactive Companion Selling) system to increase average transaction size and reduce shrink.
- Led onboarding and continuous training classes for new and veteran deli associates, ensuring consistent performance and product knowledge.
- Built strong working relationships with store and department leadership, Deli Coordinators, and District Managers to align on goals and execution.
- Played key roles in multiple grand openings and re-grand openings, providing hands-on support and team readiness.
- Developed tools for tracking store-level performance data, improving visibility into sales, shrink, and operational trends.
- Supported store logistics during peak seasons, including assisting with deliveries and managing product runbacks to ensure optimal stock levels.
- Trained deli teams to consistently pass Boar’s Head Secret Shopper audits through focused coaching.
Education
High School Diploma -
Penn Foster Career School
10.2011
Skills
- Team leadership
- Employee training
- Strategic planning
- Merchandising expertise
- Business relationship cultivation
- Communication
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Technical troubleshooting
Certification
- Red Jacket Certified
- Cheese Master Certified
- Certified Cheese Professional
Timeline
Cheese Specialist
Murray's Cheese
11.2019 - Current
Cheese Master
King Soopers
02.2019 - 11.2019
Zone Manager
Flatiron Provisions
10.2015 - 02.2019
High School Diploma -
Penn Foster Career School
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