Retail Associate

GARMO | Knoxville, TN

GARMO is a neighborhood cheese shop and specialty market focused on thoughtfully sourced cheese, charcuterie, pantry goods, sandwiches, cheeseboards, and good hospitality. We’re looking for a friendly, curious, dependable person to join our opening team.

You do not need to be a cheese expert. We can teach cheese. We’re looking for someone who enjoys food, likes working in hospitality, pays attention to details, and is genuinely interested in learning.

As a Shop Associate, you’ll work throughout the store rather than being assigned to just one station. Responsibilities will include:

• Helping guests choose cheeses, charcuterie, pantry items, and other products

• Learning about the cheeses and products we carry so you can make recommendations

• Cutting, weighing, wrapping, labeling, and caring for cheese

• Preparing sandwiches and other simple food items

• Slicing charcuterie and preparing items for retail sale

• Assembling cheeseboards, gift boxes, and special orders

• Operating the register and handling customer transactions

• Receiving, stocking, rotating, and merchandising products

• Keeping displays, counters, refrigeration, and work areas clean and organized

• Washing dishes and completing routine cleaning and sanitation tasks

• Opening and closing the shop as scheduled

• Following food-safety, sanitation, and product-handling procedures

• Pitching in wherever needed during service, deliveries, special orders, and busy periods

Because GARMO is a small shop, everyone contributes to keeping the entire operation running smoothly.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Are warm, approachable, and comfortable talking with customers

• Have a genuine interest in cheese, food, cooking, restaurants, or specialty products

• Enjoy learning and can retain information about products

• Are dependable, punctual, and able to work independently

• Notice when something needs to be cleaned, stocked, organized, or handled—and take care of it

• Can work efficiently while maintaining attention to detail

• Are comfortable working as part of a small team

• Are willing to taste and learn about a wide variety of foods

• Can follow established procedures while using good judgment

Previous experience in restaurants, specialty food, grocery, retail, coffee, wine, or hospitality is helpful, but not required. Enthusiasm, reliability, and willingness to learn matter more. ServSafe certifications and ABC card are required if hired.

This is an active, hands-on position. Team members should be able to stand and move for most of a shift, repeatedly bend and reach, safely use knives and food-service equipment after training, and lift and carry typical cases and products associated with a specialty food shop, sometimes up to 90 lbs (with help).

This position may include a combination of weekday and weekend shifts. Availability during GARMO’s busiest periods is important. Typical earliest in time would be 8 am and typical latest out time would be 9 pm, depending on which shift you work.

GARMO is built around the idea that great food should be both special and approachable. We want customers to feel comfortable asking questions, trying something unfamiliar, and discovering products they’ll want to come back for.

Our team will receive hands-on training in cheese, charcuterie, product care, tasting, pairing, and guest service. We’re looking for people who want to learn—don't worry if you don't already know everything!