PARTNER ADVOCATE - REMOTE

Compass Group•Chicago, IL

2d•$60,000 - $65,000•Remote

About The Position

FoodWorks is a division of Compass Group, a global leader in foodservice management and support services. At FoodWorks, we focus on finding and developing relationships with the best culinary talent in the local market. We are a hospitality company that partners with local restaurants and food startups, providing them with operating space in prime locations. We are seeking friendly, engaging, ambitious, organized, and creative individuals with a strong background in the foodservice industry and a keen ability to confidently communicate market knowledge. This is an opportunity to launch a new career with FoodWorks.

Requirements

Associates degree or equivalent work experience.
3-7+ years of experience in hospitality, restaurant operations, foodservice business development, vendor management, recruiting, franchise development, catering sales, or related fields.
Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM/database management.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with restaurants, food trucks, catering companies, or hospitality operators.
Understanding of vendor onboarding, food safety requirements, and compliance documentation.
Experience supporting new market launches or operational mobilizations.
Knowledge of Compass Group, Foodworks, Foodbuy, or contract foodservice operations.

Responsibilities

Identify, source, and recruit new restaurant, catering, food truck, bakery, ghost kitchen, and specialty food partners across the United States.
Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners to support existing business needs and future growth opportunities.
Conduct market research to identify high-quality local dining concepts and emerging culinary brands.
Build strong relationships with restaurant owners, operators, chefs, and decision-makers.
Present the Foodworks value proposition and partnership opportunities to prospective partners.
Support strategic initiatives focused on expanding the Foodworks partner network and "iconic partner" recruitment efforts.
Manage the onboarding process from initial commitment through operational launch.
Coordinate collection and verification of all required onboarding documentation.
Collaborate with Foodworks, Foodbuy, Operations, Finance, and Implementation teams to ensure successful partner setup.
Track onboarding progress and proactively resolve issues that could delay activation.
Ensure all partners understand Foodworks operational standards, expectations, and program requirements.
Support training and onboarding calls as needed.
Collect, organize, and maintain all onboarding assets and compliance documentation, including contracts, agreements, W-9 forms, Certificates of Insurance, business licenses, health permits, food safety certifications, menus, logos, marketing assets, and required local permits and certifications.
Maintain accurate onboarding records and partner files.
Support Foodworks market launches, grand openings, mobilizations, and ramp-ups for new client accounts.
Work closely with Operations and Business Development teams to ensure sufficient partner coverage in new markets.
Conduct local market visits and partner meetings prior to launch.
Assist with partner scheduling, activation planning, and launch support activities.
Travel to key markets to support customer openings and partner activation when required.
Serve as the primary point of contact for newly recruited partners during onboarding.
Foster long-term partnerships that drive retention and growth.
Monitor partner engagement and identify opportunities for increased participation across Foodworks programs through Foodworks Cares.
Support issue resolution and partner communication to ensure positive experiences.
Partner with Operations, Culinary, Sales, Finance, Marketing, and Implementation teams to support growth initiatives.
Participate in client presentations, market reviews, and strategic growth discussions when appropriate.
Support Foodworks initiatives designed to enhance partner experiences and expand service offerings.