Virgil Cuff is experienced, dedicated, and has a knack for finding and seizing good opportunities. These traits, among others, have earned Virgil recognition as Q1 Merchandising Employee of the Quarter.
Since the time he came on board with Houston’s in 2019, Virgil has been crucial to the success of the Boise-area foodservice warehouse stores, and it’s clear he is extremely passionate about his work. He starts each day at 4:30 AM, allowing some time to get a few tasks completed before the store opens so he is free to focus on two key aspects of his role: stocking and customer service.
Throughout the past quarter, Virgil has stepped up on multiple occasions to help cover his colleagues’ schedule in addition to his own responsibilities. While this resulted in longer work weeks for himself, he maintained his positive attitude and performed at the same exceptional level of service he always provides.
In addition to being a team player, Virgil is also adept at identifying opportunities and seizing an advantage or improvement.
“Virgil recently expanded a syrup section by an incredible 64 linear feet to eliminate out-of-stocks, and greatly increase the holding power,” said Jon Saari, Merchandising Manager.
“This was quite the project to take on by himself, which involved relocating the existing product to another location entirely to accommodate the needed space. Great work, Virg!”
As a previous CHEF’STORE manager and Kerry Foods employee, Virgil has vast experience he can draw upon to perform his duties at a high level.
Virgil has always put the customer first, which is a trait he developed through his longevity within the wholesale grocery industry. He continually looks for new opportunities that would work to benefit the stores he services, such as sourcing items for customers, recommending ideas for product resets, and suggesting new products to add.
He has familiarized himself with all the products Houston’s stocks, so he can be ready to help a customer find what they are looking for.
“Virgil has earned the managers’ trust to get it done right,” said Jon Saari. “It takes time to build confidence with store managers, and he has done an exceptional job doing this.”
Virgil’s dedication is also evident through knowing regular customers by name and fostering connections and friendships with many of the store associates.
Outside of work, Virgil enjoys spending time with his wife, Liz. He is an avid Boise State Broncos fan and identifies the Dallas Cowboys as his favorite NFL team. One of his main hobbies is woodworking.
Congratulations, Virgil; this recognition is well-deserved!
