Laura Cochran

Experience

• 

  University of Arkansas

  Aug 2005 - May 2019

  Provides administrative support for the Mechanical Engineering department including coordination of advising for undergraduate and graduate programs. Continued on with previous roles in the Mechanical Engineering department involving travel, inventory, room reservations, and the REU program. This position served as a transitory role into academic affairs. Served as main point of contact for the department of Mechanical Engineering office. Processed travel reimbursements, kept inventory department equipment, point of contact for all room reservations in the building. Also provided administrative support and coordination for the department Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) summer internship program. Buyer at University of Arkansas Computer Store. Duties included sales, ordering inventory and special orders, and managing inventory.

  • HEI Program Coordinator

    Nov 2015 - May 2019

  • Administrative Specialist III

    Aug 2012 - Nov 2015

  • Adminstrative Specialist II

    Oct 2009 - Jul 2012

  • Clerical Assistant I

    Aug 2005 - Sept 2009
• 

  Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food

  Mar 2019 - Jan 2020

  Brightwater Student Worker

  Assists in storeroom activities including fulfilling food requisitions and maintaining inventory. Worked as part of the team that ran the school food truck including set up, cooking, taking orders, operating the point of sale system, customer service, accounting, and cleanup. Also provided assistance to chefs during school sponsored events.

• 

  Sweet Freedom Cheese

  May 2019 - Jul 2024

  Supervises team and manages schedules. Assists with buying, invoices and record keeping, and training. Teaches and develops classes. Assists customers with cheese selections. Fulfills orders and prepares cheese and charcuterie platters, and prepared foods. Assists customers with cheese selections. Fulfills9 orders and prepares cheese and charcuterie platters, and prepared foods.

  • Manager and Head Cheesemonger

    May 2021 - Jul 2024

  • Cheesemonger

    Jan 2021 - May 2021

  • Cheesemonger

    May 2019 - Dec 2020
• 

  Whole Foods Market

  Jul 2024 - now

  Responsible for in-store cheese production including cutting, wrapping, labeling, and merchandising specialty cheeses. Uses skills earned from years of working as a Certified Cheese Professional to assist customers in cheese selection, make recommendations, and educate on cheese science, history, and pairings. Maintains the highest levels of workplace food safety to limit allergen cross contact of allergens and pathogenic contamination. Prepared assigned recipes to specific requirements to provide consistent and accurately prepared food to company standards.Maintained a clean and organized working environment.Cross-trained across multiple venues including chef case, charcuterie, salad bar, and hot bar.Kept up to date on all required company training. Additionally, sought out non-required growth and educational opportunities.

  • Specialty Service Team Member

    Oct 2024 - now

  • Cook

    Jul 2024 - Oct 2024