Storefront Manager & Social Media Coordinator

Note: we are not looking at candidates willing to relocate.

Summary: Askinosie Chocolate is looking for a motivated, people-loving self-starter to join our sales and marketing team and manage our factory storefront, including leading tours, and managing our social media strategy. This full-time, Springfield MO-based position will help achieve sales & marketing goals by playing an active role in communicating the Askinosie Chocolate story to all who visit our factory store. Additionally, the ideal candidate will create and execute Askinosie Chocolate’s social media strategy across currently active platforms–Instagram, Threads and Facebook–and build the brand’s presence on LinkedIn and TikTok, by creating creative and trending content (both photo/video assets and copywriting), driving brand awareness, and facilitating engagement by responding to comments and DMs.

Askinosie Chocolate is one of the most decorated craft chocolate makers, known for pioneering Direct Trade in the chocolate industry and named by Forbes as “One of the 25 Best Small Companies In America.” In this dynamic work environment, you’ll directly contribute to our growth and expansion by representing our brand enthusiastically and sharing the intricacies of what makes us--and our chocolate--unique to storefront visitors both local and out-of-town and followers. We are excited to find a hard-working individual who can, under the supervision of our CMO and Design & Marketing Director, support the sales goals and objectives by performing the duties listed below.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the storefront, stocking shelves, sampling to customers, using POS for transactions, opening and closing duties (including counting till), and most importantly accurately and enthusiastically sharing our chocolate and story with visitors, ensuring they have a magical experience
• Lead weekly public and private tours: communicate the details of our chocolate-making process, our direct trade and sourcing practices, and lead detailed chocolate tastings
• Work with the Design & Marketing Director to create each month’s content calendar. Actively support the Askinosie brand story by creating and executing social media strategy across current active platforms (Facebook, Threads, Instagram); for more dormant platforms (Pinterest and LinkedIn); and new platforms, like TikTok
• Improve on Askinosie’s current social voice and strategy by keeping up with current trends and best practices for meaningful content and engagement– drive an evolution of our voice to reach a wider audience and deepen connections with loyal fans
• Meet monthly/quarterly/yearly goals and objectives, using strategies outlined in the Sales & Marketing Plan and with the support of CMO and Design & Marketing Director.
• Willingness to cover a Saturday shift as a back-up (not frequent)
• Manage occasional offsite or factory events, like our annual holiday Sip N Shop and more (might be outside of regular hours).
• Maintain an organized and clean storefront that is well-stocked
• Answer phones and help answer basic customer questions, or direct to appropriate team members
• Work as part of a team that prioritizes “doing good” with our customers, our farmer partners, our Chocolate University students, and each other, with regular opportunities to engage in specific efforts that live out this ethos

What we’re looking for:

• A passionate, engaging extrovert who thrives on positive interactions and in-person conversations. Eagerness and enthusiasm to affirmatively offer assistance where needed, to co-workers and guests alike
• Willingness to organize, manage and complete various tasks within clear deadlines
• A love of speciality food and beverage
• An energetic, enthusiastic, outgoing personality
• Superior customer service skills
• Ability to recall detailed pieces of information (cocoa origins, tasting notes, direct trade practices, how pieces of equipment are used to make our chocolate, etc) and effectively communicate in a friendly manner
• Interest in event planning
• Professional presentation; able to communicate clearly and confidently with an interest in interfacing with customers in person and via phone and email
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-task and prioritize
• A team player mentality, humbly putting others before self, and actively engaging stakeholders at all levels of the company

Education/Experience/We’d Love To Hear From You If:

• Basic customer service & retail experience required (management experience not required)
• Proficiency with social media platforms (Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn is bonus) and related photo and video editing apps
• Prior tour guide & event planning experience a plus, but not required
• POS experience
• Experience in public speaking preferred; eagerness to do so essential
• You fastidiously keep up with the latest trends in creative content creation
• You are eager to grow an engaged audience and create revenue-driving strategies
• You have an interest in food, especially specialty food and ethical entrepreneurship
• Comfortability with Google Drive and Office Apps
• Personal laptop to be used while at work (preferred)
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Must have reliable transportation
• Smoking is not permitted on the premises.
• No allergies to milk, peanuts, tree nuts, or wheat (because we use all of them in the factory)

Equal opportunity:

Askinosie is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive culture. If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at info[at]askinosie[dot]com.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,000.00 - $41,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Commute:

• Springfield, MO 65803 (Required)

Work Location: In person