Overview

POSITION SUMMARY:This is a professional sales position responsible for growing new business with the expectation of achieving assigned business goals while enhancing the customer experience. This will be accomplished through maintaining industry and category specific certification status and direct selling of categories to customers through internal and external business reviews. The culinary specialist is a key role in the team based selling model and as such will be an ambassador for Sysco brand, innovation and Category Management (CatMan) products and will leverage all opportunities to close the sale with customers. This individual will represent Sysco at culinary events and in appropriate organizations in the industry. This position may also be responsible for supervising kitchen assistant(s) or culinary interns. Specialists will prioritize time, targets, and team selling efforts based on market insights and data analytics.As noted in Syscos Leadership Framework; On-target performance includes exhibiting the following framework components; Core Qualities, Shaping the Future, and Delivering Business Results.RESPONSIBILITIES:Develop and execute targeted culinary strategies to achieve individual and region annual business goals, delivering profitable sales growth and penetration across categories, specialty segments, and Sysco brandCoordinate with Director of Business Resources, leveraging data to identify top opportunities for business reviewsCollaborate with sales team partners to clearly identify customer challenges, needs, or opportunities and deliver creative and productive solutions to help grow customer business and drive case growthTrack activities and results, collaborate on opportunities, and champion the team selling process through use of Salesforce (Syscos CRM tool)Leverage sampling in a solutions-oriented manner to close salesBe informed of market conditions and trends, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales; share information with customers as part of value-added services providedFacilitate internal/external food shows, catering and event planning activitiesCoordinate kitchen logistics in support of internal/external culinary eventsDevelop and maintain relationships with customers, chefs and sales teams through cooperative participation in local events, culinary competitions, culinary schools and other relevant opportunitiesAdvise sales team on product specifications. Serve as an expert on Cutting Edge Solutions/innovation items, Sysco Brand and CatMan productsAssist with employee training by working with sales to facilitate training sessions and complete demonstrationsManage all operations of the test kitchen/culinary center including sanitation, product rotation, laundry service and the organization and upkeep of equipment, displays and the general appearance of the culinary facility.Manage test kitchen food and supply costs within budgetary parametersComply with all local and state food safety and health code regulationsAccompany and respond to regulatory agency kitchen/culinary center inspectionsProvide work direction to additional culinary staff, third party vendors, sanitation staff as necessaryQUALIFICATIONSEducation/Experience:Minimum: High School Diploma or GED and 3+ years executive chef experience in the foodservice industryPreferred: Bachelors degree or equivalent culinary degree, 3+ years of foodservice sales experienceKnowledge & Skills:Proficiency in culinary, restaurant operations, and food trends required(Internal Certification & External Certification may be required)Ability to express information in terms of profit and loss, food cost and expense ratioStrong financial acumen and ability to properly plan and execute business plansTrack record of success in the area of consultative selling and networkingStrong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work with and influence a variety of key stakeholdersExperience building trust with prospective customers