Research & Development Chef

• - Chicago, IL
• Salary
• Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY

The R&D role will require a complex set of skills and endless supply of energy and wit.  First and foremost, a Connections R&D chef is a culinary selling chef; positioning dishes, food and services in the best light for a multitude of clients. 

 The Research and Development Chef is a creative culinary role that is responsible for being the supporting chef on client business, while also supporting or leading projects for those clients for purposes of creating new ideas for their menu or product line. The R&D Chef works closely with other culinary team members to develop, research and prepare concepts, recipes, support presentations and provide value during client interactions; as well as support the day-to-day operations of the culinary department. In addition, they will be responsible for supporting technical development projects including product reformulation, ingredient sourcing, product testing and product commercialization.  The incumbent must know and understand current trends and apply to culinary ideation and development projects. Additionally, this role engages with the account teams to support project management for all client-driven events and special projects, including creating and maintaining the project plan timeline and budget.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Culinary R&D:

• Manage the culinary aspects of project development that include conceptualization, design, creation and evaluation of new food concepts/products for targeted markets or customers and final product specifications
• Creating of on-trend flavor profiles relevant to the demographic/audience
• Test, recommend and incorporate new methods or ingredients into new/existing products
• Lead culinary concept development.
• Development of recipes from a flavor, cost and nutritional perspective
• Have an understanding of restaurant operations, manufacturing, distribution, food safety, corporate strategy and profitability
• Keep abreast of culinary, consumer and restaurant trends, new processes, food products and applications
• Maintaining affiliations with culinary institutes, restaurants and associations

 Sales Management:

• Maintain ongoing consultative service to ensure client satisfaction with key accounts, while also developing new prospects
• Manage assigned projects as lead chef
• Develop strong relationships within existing accounts
• Pursues sales opportunities, scheduling and preparing for culinary presentations that support client's goals and proactively seeks new projects that fit within the scope of the contract agreement
• Provide regular reporting of activities including forecasts and plans to supervisor

Education: 

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a nationally recognized culinary, food science or Culinology school or will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Experience: 

• 3+ years of progressive culinary experience in Foodservice industry 
• Experience in sales highly recommended
• Recipe writing
• Public speaking

Specialized Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively build and foster relationships with clients, potential clients, and colleagues. Excellent written and oral communication skills and comfortable in front of crowds
• Outgoing, sales-oriented personality
• Ability to function with minimal supervision, stay organized and adjust to constantly changing priorities
• Positive team player with a solution-driven attitude
• Have an understanding of restaurant operations, manufacturing, distribution, food safety, corporate strategy and profitability
• Possesses a sales-driven mentality
•  Understanding of current nutrition, food and food industry trends.
• Strong and confident culinary skills which include culinary concept creativity, ability to make culinary concept modifications through the R&D process, desire to continuously improve and hone culinary skills
• Ability to navigate Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook)
• Ability to use and cite trend and insights resources

PLEASE NOTE: Acxion Foodservice Inc. reserves the right to change, modify or add to the duties and essential functions at any time.