Coffee Specialist
About the job
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of employment.
- Must have passion for coffee and in-depth knowledge of brewing methods, coffee origins, and coffee equipment.
- Must be able to create engaging, hands-on experiences for customers.
- Must have enthusiasm for coffee and eagerness to share knowledge with others.
- Must have communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Must have passion for community engagement and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
- Must be able to communicate verbally and work cooperatively with associates and customers.
- Must be able to remain standing for up to 4 hours at a time.
- Must be able to move about the store while directing class participants, selling to customers, and retrieving merchandise from the stockroom or sales floor.
- Must be able to accurately perceive and differentiate variations in the intensity or quality of flavors or odors and identify specific tastes or scents using the tongue or nose.
- Must be able to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and replenish merchandise from the stockroom or sales floor.
- Must be able to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, grind, tamp, steam, pour, froth, and demonstrate other coffee-brewing techniques.
- Must be able to lift or move merchandise weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to ascend and descend ladders to retrieve or move merchandise.
- Must be able to operate a computer, point-of-sale system, keyboard, merchandise scanners, and mouse.
- Must be available to work 12 to 16 hours per week on a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Must maintain regular and predictable attendance.
- Must be able to work in a coffee bar area with exposure to hot equipment, steam, varying temperatures, and potential airborne and physical coffee-related allergens.
- Represent the company’s brand and culture by creating memorable, educational experiences that inspire repeat visits and customer loyalty.
- Lead engaging and informative coffee-brewing demonstrations showcasing coffee expertise and featured offerings.
- Educate customers on pour-over, French press, AeroPress, espresso, cold brew, and coffee art techniques.
- Guide customers in selecting coffee beans based on flavor profiles, roast levels, and origin.
- Maintain a coffee-ready environment by ensuring quality and consistency across in-store brewing and demonstrations.
- Recommend coffee equipment and maintenance practices based on customer needs.
- Promote and sell coffee products, equipment, and accessories through product demonstrations.
- Assist the store in achieving revenue goals by driving customer engagement and conversion through education.
- Meet or exceed store goals through customer engagement and sales.
- Partner with store leaders to align with store priorities.
- Collaborate on merchandising strategies that highlight tools and products featured in classes.
- Ensure compliance with food safety standards, local health codes, and sanitation regulations.
- Maintain accurate inventory levels, minimize shrink, and control supply and culinary expenses.
- Ensure store safety and cleanliness and address maintenance needs promptly.
- Adhere to applicable wage and hour laws and accurately record time worked according to policy.
- Model and ensure adherence to company policies and standard operating procedures.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and retail management systems.
About the company
Sur La Table sells premium cookware, dinnerware, cutlery, kitchen electrics, and bakeware through brick-and-mortar stores and an online platform, and it also runs one of the largest cooking-class programs in the United States. Customers browse and purchase products online or in stores, while hands-on cooking classes teach techniques from basic to specialized cuisines; SLT Perks rewards purchases with points, and affiliate partners earn commissions. The business combines a wide range of premium kitchen goods with a large, active education program and a loyalty scheme accessible in-store and online, setting it apart from retailers that sell gear or offer classes alone. Its goal is to be the go-to destination for premium kitchen products and culinary learning, building a community of home cooks and professionals through products, classes, loyalty, and partnerships.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Hopkins, Minnesota
Founded
1972
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- South Coast Plaza reopened March 6, 2026, reinforcing premium mall presence.
- Walnut Creek returns in late 2026, expanding brand visibility in affluent markets.
- Second Servings launched August 25, 2026, unlocking fees, credit loops, and younger shoppers.
What critics are saying
- 2023 data breach settlement signals weak security and litigation exposure persists.
- Stores still close, including Dallas and SouthPark, showing footprint pruning after bankruptcy.
- Resale could cannibalize full-price sales if Second Servings trains customers to wait.
What makes Sur La Table unique
- Premium cookware authority with immersive classes and expert-led in-store consultations.
- Second Servings turns Sur La Table into a branded resale marketplace first-mover.
- Seattle Coffee Gear acquisition deepens coffee category breadth and specialty expertise.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Pet Insurance
Employee Discounts
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
6%1 year growth
6%2 year growth
6%Sur La Table to reopen in Walnut Creek. The kitchen retailer is returning to Broadway Plaza later this year. Published Date: September 26, 2026, 2:01 AM EDT The new store will carry kitchen equipment including pots and pans, cast-iron skillets, and Dutch ovens (Image credit: Facebook: Sur La Table) Sur La Table is preparing to reopen at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek at 1205 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, according to the company's official store directory. The location is currently listed as opening in late fall. Sur La Table official website describes the retailer as a kitchen store offering cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and other products for home cooks. The company previously operated at Broadway Plaza before closing its Walnut Creek location in 2022. The new store will carry kitchen equipment including pots and pans, cast-iron skillets, Dutch ovens, bakeware and stockpots. The company's Walnut Creek listing names brands including Scanpan, All-Clad, Le Creuset and Staub. The location will also offer cutlery, flatware and knives, along with services including gift registry assistance, knife sharpening and product consultations. The company currently lists no cooking classes at the new Walnut Creek location. According to Beyond the Creek, the new store will return to Broadway Plaza after several years away and will occupy space next to the former P.F. Chang's restaurant. Love its content? Add WhatNow as a preferred source on Google to see more of its trusted coverage when you search. Be the first to know. From new restaurant openings to exciting retail launches and real estate insights, be the first to know what's happening in San Francisco Maressa Omena is a diversity-thirsty journalist who believes every dish comes with a history worth telling. With more than a decade of experience in journalism,m podcasting, and digital communications, she focuses on uncovering the people and stories behind the headlines and the menus. A thrift shopper of vintage cookbooks and a former catering professional, her connection to food goes beyond writing: it's shaped by a deep appreciation for the craft and community of the industry. She is inspired by the stories that turn meals into moments of connection. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and exploring cultural diversity in search of new flavors and perspectives.
Sur La Table launches peer-to-peer marketplace. The kitchenware retailer is partnering with resale technology platform Archive to power its Second Servings venture. Published Aug. 27, 2026 By Lara Ewen Dive brief: * Cookware retailer Sur La Table launched a peer-to-peer resale marketplace Tuesday called Second Servings, according to details emailed to Retail Dive. * The U.S.-only online platform allows users to sell eligible kitchenware, home goods and dining products using prepaid shipping labels in exchange for either 70% of the sale price in cash or 100% in Sur La Table store credit. A Smart Pricing feature suggests adjustments to price over time, up to 30% off the original suggested retail price. * Resale technology firm Archive is powering the backend of Second Servings and providing customer support, payment processing and logistics. In August 2025, Archive announced it would begin expanding its core client base beyond clothing and apparel. Dive insight: Peer-to-peer resale has largely been the purview of the fashion sector, with companies including Trove and Archive hosting branded platforms for retailers. Some of Archive's clients include The North Face and Lululemon, although the company also works with brands like cooler company Yeti, children's bicycle brand Woom and exercise equipment brand Peloton. Archive's category expansion was partially fueled by a $30 million Series B fundraise in February 2025. In addition, Mattel launched peer-to-peer selling in 2023 via the Mattel Creations Virtual Collectibles Platform in partnership with digital collectibles company Rarible, digital wallet provider Magic and blockchain company Flow. Ikea's online As-is service for Ikea Family members also debuted in 2023. However, Sur La Table's venture is an early peer-to-peer adopter in the home goods space and may mark a shift in how other retailers view their own resale efforts amid increased consumer focus on sustainability and savings. "Today's home cooks are thinking differently about how they shop for, invest in, and dispose of the products they love," Dan Goldman, president of Sur La Table, said in a statement. "Second Servings lets us serve home cooks on both sides of that equation: helping sellers give a favorite piece its next chapter versus tossing it into a landfill, and helping younger and price-sensitive buyers discover premium kitchenware they might not otherwise consider purchasing." Sur La Table filed for bankruptcy in July 2020 and was purchased a month later by a joint venture between Marquee Brands and CSC Generation for $88.9 million. Marquee's portfolio also includes celebrity culinary brands Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse, as well as recently acquired fashion brands Roberto Cavalli and Roots.
Sur La Table enters resale market with Second Servings. 2026-08-25 Sur La Table has launched a resale platform called Second Servings, allowing customers to buy and sell secondhand cookware from both Sur La Table's brand and any of the other brands it sells, at up to 70% off. President Dan Goldman says the initiative is designed to attract younger, budget-conscious consumers and make premium products more accessible without cannibalizing new sales. The move differentiates Sur La Table from competitors and also enables the company to participate in the growing resale market. Full story: NRF SmartBrief News and trends about the U.S. Retail industry Designed specifically for retail professionals, NRF SmartBrief is a free, daily email newsletter. It provides the latest need-to-know news and industry information that maximizes your time, giving you an edge over your competition.
Sur La Table shut down its Smith Haven store in 2020 when its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Sur La Table has acquired Seattle Coffee Gear, a Washington-based coffee equipment retailer founded in 2005. This acquisition will enable Sur La Table to expand its offerings and engage with the coffee community more effectively, enhancing the shopping experience and providing Seattle Coffee Gear's customers with a broader national retail presence.