Food Fanatic Chef

US Foods•Salem, VA

15d•$75,000 - $125,000

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).
Prior sales or sales support experience a plus.
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.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

Nice To Haves

Chef Certification and Memberships in Local and National Culinary Organizations a plus.

Responsibilities

Customer Consults and Innovative Partnership
Involvement in the local restaurant community.
Advances the food culture of the organization.
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.
Identifies culinary trends and industry conditions that may spur sales growth.
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.
Plans, coordinates, and executes events, product cuttings, sales conferences, general sales meetings.
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.
Utilizes Menu Profit Pro to enrich the customer experience by providing customized, costed recipes.
Merchandising Connectivity
Exclusive Brands Growth
Facilitation is a function of the role, for example in district and general sales meeting breakouts when culinary expertise is vital to maximizing the impact to the sales team success.
Supports the Food Fanatics program by participating in events, which includes local, virtual, and national asks.
Brings contribution, feedback, and ideas to the Food Fanatics magazine and regularly contributes to the presence of the program in social media.