Formaggio Kitchen has been an institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts for over 40 years–“a gourmand’s paradise” doubling as a neighborhood grocer. Nationally, we are best known for our cheese selection, which includes many exclusive items imported directly from farms in Europe. Locally, we are equally well known for our kitchen and bakery production including sandwiches, panini and nightly dinners as well as cakes, cookies and a variety of other sweets – all made in house, from scratch and using the best (often local) ingredients. We also stock a wide range of other delicious foodstuffs, including: charcuterie, produce, baked goods, prepared foods, coffee, tea, chocolates, bread, sweets, honey, preserves, wine, beer, olive oil, vinegar and other pantry staples.
We offer a dynamic work environment that both challenges and rewards those who have the necessary skills and passion to make the team. We strive to hire people with a love of food, old-world work ethic, capacity for teamwork and a drive to provide exceptional customer service. Benefits include health insurance, 401K with generous employer matching, paid vacation, an amazing opportunity to learn about food and a great team of coworkers.
Please email resumes or enquires to [email protected] or give us a call at +1-617-354-4750.
Current Openings
Warehouse Manager
Formaggio Kitchen is looking for a full-time warehouse manager to oversee the centralized receiving area for three Boston-area gourmet shops that specialize in direct import. This position will be expected to work Monday to Friday, 7 am - 4 pm generally, with some early morning availability (4 am) required for receiving critical international shipments approximately 2-4 times per month.
Formaggio Kitchen’s imports and sales are on the rise, and this position has the opportunity to oversee tremendous growth and procedural improvements as we scale up our business. The position is based out of our Alewife warehouse; we plan to move to a newly designed warehouse in East Watertown in late 2023.
Responsibilities include:
- Receiving palletized deliveries and checking for accuracy
- Correctly allocating and distributing deliveries to our three locations
- Proper storage and rotation of products to ensure no product loss
- Alerting buyers to inventory shortages or excess
- Implement and maintain an accurate inventory count of our warehouse
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Learning our extensive selection of products in order to best manage inventory and allocate product to store locations accurately
This position is also responsible for assembling each store’s warehouse pulls and billing each respective location. This position may require seasonal driving on a limited basis.
Successful candidates must be meticulous, organized, and attentive to detail. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and communication, as liaising between stores is key to the position. The successful candidate must be self-directed yet receptive to feedback and improving processes. Other skills crucial to the position:
- Demonstrated strong work ethic and on-time commitment
- Adhere to strict standards of safety
- Computer literacy
Candidates must have:
- Driver’s license and five years’ clean driving record
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to push carts up to 100 pounds
- Ability to use carts, pallet jacks, forklift, etc. to move inventory
- Ability to use stairs while lifting
Ideal candidates will be forklift trained, but we are willing to train the right candidate.
COMPENSATION
This position is salaried at $45-48k.
Kitchen Production Assistant
Seeking a production assistant for a small but thriving kitchen with expanding demands.
Hours: 12-8 weekdays.
Daily duties may include:
- Inventory and re-stock of prepared foods
- Producing sauces and dips in our refrigerated “grab and go” retail case
- Producing in high volume staple housemade snacks such as pita chips and crostini
- Creating an assortment of green and deli salads for our lunch service
Examples of production tasks include:
- Basic prep (breaking down produce, cutting onions etc.)
- Following recipes to create basic sauces, dips and salads
- Assembly of entrees, packaging of dips, spreads, salads and other retail products
Solid knife skills are a plus.
Applicant must be detail-oriented, good at following instructions, and a good communicator. A sense of urgency is a must.
No experience required; we are willing to train the right candidate. Additional responsibility and growth opportunities are available for excelling hires.
COMPENSATION
This position is hourly, varies DOE, $18.00 - $20.00.
BBQ Pitmaster
Formaggio Kitchen Cambridge is well known for its weekend sidewalk BBQ. Started in the late '90s, we have been lucky to have several different BBQ grill masters who have all shared the love of the 'cue. We're looking to add a member to our growing BBQ program -- this is one of the most unique jobs in the shop.
The pit master will work Tuesday-Saturday. From Tuesday to Friday, the pit master will smoke meat and prep sides at our off-site location in Alewife area. These are 7-8 hour shifts with flexible start time. On Saturday, the pit master will assist our head chef at our Huron Ave BBQ, expediting orders, serving food, and handling money.
Our ideal candidate will share our passion for food, desire to learn, and exceptional work ethic. We're looking for someone who can work independently with great time management, as well as someone who values enthusiastic and efficient hospitality for our fast-paced BBQ service. Professional cooking experience is NOT required; we'll show you what you need to know. Potential candidates must be available to work full-time, on both weekdays and Saturdays. BBQ Season is mid-March through end of October, but this position will have year-round placement in the shop. Off-season position will be tailored to the individual's skills and interests.
COMPENSATION
This position is hourly, $20-22/hr, plus generous BBQ tips. Benefits for eligible employees include a staff discount, health insurance contribution, and 401K.
Whole Animal Butcher Apprentice
We are currently seeking a full-time apprentice butcher to join our butcher counter team. This individual will join a professional team committed to excellence and consistency within a fast-paced retail setting. Our butcher counter works primarily with whole animals; this position will be an opportunity to learn whole-animal butchery and charcuterie. Candidates are not expected to have mastered this in prior experience.
The apprentice butcher will assist customers in purchasing meat and maintain the quality and appearance of the butcher case. In addition, the staff will organize and clean the work area and walk-in fridge. Staff will be expected to know the different cuts and sausages we carry and make cooking recommendations based on that knowledge, as well as modifying cuts to customer specifications.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, and take direction well. Great customer service, communication skills, knife skills, and the ability to work cleanly and quickly are a must. Successful candidates will also demonstrate attention to detail and willingness to learn. ServSafe certification is a plus. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Formaggio Kitchen offers a dynamic work environment with a focus on the love of food, teamwork and providing the best products and service to our customers. Benefits include company health insurance with partial premium coverage, staff discount, staff meal, an amazing opportunity to learn about food and a great team of coworkers. This position is based out of our flagship Huron Village location, in a brand new space with brand new equipment.
Please submit a resume for consideration.
COMPENSATION
This position is hourly, varies DOE, $18.00 - $22.00.
Butcher Counter Staff/Meat Cutter
We are currently seeking a full-time butcher and meat cutters to join our kitchen team. This individual will join a professional team committed to excellence and consistency within a fast-paced retail setting. Our butcher counter works primarily with whole animals; this position will be an opportunity to learn whole-animal butchery. Candidates are not expected to have mastered this in prior experience.
The butcher counter staff will assist customers in purchasing meat and maintain the quality and appearance of the butcher case. In addition, the staff will organize and clean the work area and walk-in fridge. Staff will be expected to know the different cuts and sausages we carry and make recommendations based on that knowledge, as well as modifying cuts to customer specifications.
The ideal candidate will have at least one year’s butcher counter experience, but we are also willing to teach the right person. Candidates will possess a strong work ethic and take direction well. Great customer service, communication skills, knife skills, and the ability to work cleanly and quickly are a must. Successful candidates will also demonstrate attention to detail and willingness to learn. ServSafe certification is a plus. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Formaggio Kitchen offers a dynamic work environment with a focus on love of food, teamwork and providing the best products and service to our customers. Benefits include company health insurance with partial premium coverage, staff discount, staff meal, an amazing opportunity to learn about food and a great team of coworkers. This position is based out of our flagship Huron Village location, in a brand new space with brand new equipment.
Please submit a resume for consideration.
COMPENSATION
This position is hourly, varies DOE, $18.00 - $22.00.
Office Manager
We are looking for an organizational rock-star to join our team as an office manager. The ideal candidate is a team-player and a quick learner with enthusiasm for food, great attention to detail, and an excellent work ethic. Top notch organizational skills, exceptional customer service and experience with Microsoft Office and Google tools are a must. Extra points for IT troubleshooting experience!
Hours will be Monday through Friday 9 am - 6 pm or 10 am - 7 pm, with a potential shift to Wednesday through Sunday work during 3-4 critical holiday weekends per year.
Responsibilities include:
- Overseeing administrative personnel and setting tasks
- High-level purchasing for critical business needs
- Tracking stock levels of store supplies
- Handling our FDA registration paperwork and database, crucial to our role as direct importers
- Scheduling our driving team using optimization software; troubleshooting live delays
- Developing knowledge of the products and services we offer
- Serving as point of contact for maintenance and technology support calls; knowing our systems and processes to see those tickets through successfully
- Handling high-visibility corporate gifting inquiries, purchasing, and invoicing
This position will also be held to the same job expectations as all of our office staff, for cross-training, managing, and handling high volume during 4th quarter:
- Fielding customer inquiries and orders on the phone, speaking clearly, professionally and in a friendly manner.
- Updating daily menu and managing order taking systems and processes
- Data entry and filing
- Creating spreadsheet reports for store management
- Receiving supplies and organizing storage
- Managing local gift orders from start to finish
- Supporting IT staff as needed
- Other administrative duties as assigned
- Lifting boxes of product and supplies weighing 20-30lbs
This position has the opportunity for growth and cross-training in other areas of the shop.
COMPENSATION
Salaried at $45-48K
Cheesemonger
We are looking for full-time experienced cheesemongers to work closely with existing staff to learn the ropes and help us provide delicious cheese and exceptional service to our customers. These positions are available at our Huron Ave. location. A full-time Cheesemonger work schedule requires flexibility to work nights and weekends. Formaggio Kitchen offers a unique work environment with great staff, fantastic customers and an opportunity for challenge and learning every day. Benefits for eligible employees include a staff discount, health insurance contribution, 401K and paid vacation.
Skills and Experience
- Cheesemonger experience a plus, but not absolutely required
- History of providing excellent customer service
- Exceptional work ethic
- Equally exceptional skills in working people of various backgrounds
- Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently
- Passion for food
- Drive to learn the extensive selection we have to offer
Additional qualities we are looking for:
- Natural problem solver
- Highly organized
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Eager to learn and grow professionally
- Works well under pressure
- Experience with retail POS systems / computers
We are looking not simply for a qualified person, but someone with the aptitude and energy to contribute to our company going forward. A combination of past achievements and work experience is very important, but equally important is a real desire to continue to learn and improve on your skills and abilities going forward.
COMPENSATION
Competitive salary and benefits based on experience. This position is hourly, varies DOE, $17.00 - $19.00.
Front of House Manager and Buyer
We are looking for hospitality rock-stars to join our team in front of house, management-track positions. The front of house team staffs the bread and bakery counters, maintains the appearance of the shop, assists with store operations, and provides our customers with a smooth and pleasant shopping experience. FOH staff are expected to become knowledgeable about store inventory and producers in order to field an array of customer requests. Key characteristics we are seeking include excellent customer service, thoughtful organization, effective communication, great team spirit, and strong work ethic. The ideal candidate is passionate and curious about food and hospitality. Prior experience in a retail or hospitality setting is preferred but not required. By demonstrating accomplishments and dedication, there is room to grow into a member of our management and buying teams.
COMPENSATION
This position is hourly, varies DOE, $17.00 - $19.00.