Food Fanatic Chef

US Foods • Lenexa, KS

8d • $75,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Food Fanatics Chef partners with area leadership, sales and support teams to build value and grow customer relationships and affects profitable sales growth. They achieve this by serving as consultants and culinary experts to drive customer business success; lead product and sales training as appropriate, drive engagement and participation in strategic growth initiatives and share the knowledge gained through the Food Fanatics program, events and team of chefs to benefit the area.

Requirements

• Candidates must possess a high degree of written and verbal communication skills and be able to tailor messages and delivery in “the right way” to the “right audience.”
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word is required.
• Candidates will be required to successfully complete a comprehensive training/on-boarding certification program upon hire.
• The successful candidate will possess refined organizational and project management skills and be able to effectively assert their leadership abilities in the planning and execution of high visibility, high impact events (Food Fanatics Live) and communication campaigns -which have a significant impact on the influence of our brands and organization within the marketplace.
• Must possess a minimum of 7 years relevant work experience including a comprehensive culinary background.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of culinary, foodservice and hospitality fundamentals and will possess a marked passion for the culinary arts and foodservice industry.
• The candidate will be able to assert an expert level of product knowledge/technique as well as product applications – successfully communicating/demonstrating that knowledge across multiple formats, including Direct customer consultation, social media avenues, live television and media appearances and presenting impactful material to large audiences (often numbering in the thousands).
• Must possess prior experience in the design and facilitation of training programs to large and varied audiences, with the aim of, driving innovation and sales strategies across their assigned area of influence and effectively driving the US Foods brand throughout the marketplace.

Nice To Haves

• Prior sales or sales support experience a plus.
• Chef Certification and Memberships in Local and National Culinary Organizations a plus.

Responsibilities

• Direct customer consultation and relationship building is a critical element of the FFC (Food Fanatic Chef) role.
• Involvement in the local restaurant community. Cultivating relationships and seeking opportunity within the local restaurant scene and through local and national organizations or groups is a vital component to growth efforts.
• The FFC develops meaningful relationships with US Foods customers by asking questions, identifying pain points, and offering mutually beneficial solutions.
• The FFC advances the food culture of the organization. Using existing sales and training materials, through the creation of new materials, as needed, and in conjunction with appropriate program office, excellence team, and Regional Culinary Managers.
• The FFC brings forth excellence in the realm of culinary demonstration, and has an ability to teach, connect and inspire in a way that strives to instill confidence and provide inspiration for, and with, US Foods Customers.
• The FFC also seeks to identify culinary trends and industry conditions that may spur sales growth.
• The FFC leads the culinary vision, brings together the team, participates, and oversees the execution of all food components at sales meetings and other division events with a focus on creating a food driven culture.
• In tandem with the area team, the FFC plans, coordinates, and executes events, product cuttings, sales conferences, general sales meetings.
• The FFC develops and conducts kitchen/operations assessments for customers and teams up with other members of the sales support team to build action plans to address short and long-term opportunities.
• The FFC utilizes Menu Profit Pro to enrich the customer experience by providing customized, costed recipes.
• The chef supports the priorities of and works with the commercial excellence team members in support of initiatives and/or changes around product mix.
• The FFC is an important contributor that strives to increase and maintain sales growth for the division in the top IR (Independent Restaurants) and national customers, specifically focused on Exclusive Brands.
• Chefs lead all culinary training for the area/market in support of selected strategic growth initiatives, such as Scoop.
• The FFC is the food and brands leader among the sales support roles in these efforts.
• The FFC also is a champion for the Scoop program and constantly seeks opportunities for expansion of the reach of Scoop products in the local market.
• The FFC supports the Food Fanatics program by participating in events, which includes local, virtual, and national asks.
• Food Fanatic Chefs collaborate with their peers across the enterprise by sharing best practices that can be brought to bear in the local Area.
• The FFC brings contribution, feedback, and ideas to the Food Fanatics magazine and regularly contributes to the presence of the program in social media.
• As the chef seeks to utilize social media, live, and print media to increase the recognition and reach of the Food Fanatics program, the implications of behavior, tone, attitude, and the US Foods cultural beliefs are at top of mind.

Benefits

• Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds).
• The expected base rate for this role is between $75,000 - $125,000

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree