Culinary Specialist

About Sysco

Sysco is a global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food products to the hospitality and foodservice industries. With a rich history of innovation and dedication to customer satisfaction, Sysco provides a comprehensive range of products and solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of restaurants, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and other foodservice providers. The company's commitment to quality, sustainability, and operational excellence has established it as a trusted partner for businesses seeking reliable and efficient supply chain solutions. By leveraging advanced technology and a dedicated team of industry professionals, Sysco continues to set the standard for service excellence in the food distribution sector.

About The Role: Culinary Specialist

The Culinary Specialist at Sysco is a pivotal role designed to drive business growth through strategic culinary initiatives and customer engagement. This position involves developing and executing targeted culinary strategies to meet and exceed regional and individual sales goals, focusing on profitable growth across various categories and specialty segments. The specialist acts as a key ambassador for the Sysco brand, showcasing innovation, product solutions, and category management expertise. They will represent Sysco at culinary events, industry organizations, and trade shows, fostering relationships with chefs, culinary schools, and industry stakeholders. The role requires a proactive approach to market trends, customer needs, and competitive analysis, with a focus on delivering value-added solutions. Additionally, the specialist may oversee culinary interns or kitchen assistants, ensuring smooth operations within the culinary center and test kitchen environments.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Minimum: High School Diploma or GED with 3+ years of experience as an executive chef in the foodservice industry.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree or equivalent culinary certification, along with 3+ years of foodservice sales experience.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Proficiency in culinary techniques, restaurant operations, and current food trends.
• Certifications, both internal and external, may be required depending on the role.
• Ability to interpret financial data, including profit and loss statements, food costs, and expense ratios.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in planning and executing business strategies.
• Proven success in consultative selling, networking, and building long-term customer relationships.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to establish trust with prospective clients and secure new business opportunities.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of managing a structured weekly schedule.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Deep understanding of restaurant and foodservice operations, with the ability to manage sophisticated client needs.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and open-minded to new ideas and approaches.
• Proficiency in basic mathematics and familiarity with CRM tools for sales planning and forecasting.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Knowledge of marketing principles, product lines, ordering procedures, and credit terms specific to Sysco.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic culinary initiatives aligned with regional and corporate sales objectives to ensure sustained growth and market penetration.
• Collaborate with the sales team and business resources to identify key opportunities through data analysis and customer feedback, facilitating targeted business reviews.
• Engage with customers to understand their challenges and needs, providing tailored solutions that foster loyalty and expand sales.
• Utilize Salesforce and other CRM tools to track activities, monitor results, and facilitate team selling efforts effectively.
• Leverage product sampling and demonstrations as solutions-oriented tools to close sales and introduce new offerings.
• Stay informed about market conditions, emerging food trends, product innovations, and competitor activities; share relevant insights with customers to add value.
• Coordinate and support culinary events, including food shows, catering, and internal/external culinary demonstrations or competitions.
• Manage logistics for culinary events, ensuring smooth execution and high-quality customer engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with chefs, culinary schools, industry organizations, and key customers through active participation in relevant events and initiatives.
• Advise the sales team on product specifications, focusing on cutting-edge solutions, Sysco brand offerings, and category management products.
• Assist in employee training by conducting product demonstrations and facilitating educational sessions for sales staff.
• Oversee the operations of the test kitchen and culinary center, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and proper organization of equipment and supplies.
• Manage food and supply costs within budget, ensuring efficient use of resources while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal food safety and health regulations, including responding to inspections and audits.
• Provide leadership and work direction to culinary staff, third-party vendors, and sanitation teams as needed to uphold operational standards.

Benefits

Sysco offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional growth of its employees. This includes competitive health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Employees are also eligible for retirement savings plans with company matching contributions. Additional benefits include paid time off, employee discounts, and opportunities for continuous learning and development through training programs and industry certifications. Sysco promotes a positive work environment that encourages innovation, teamwork, and career advancement. Employees also have access

Key skills/competency

• Culinary Techniques
• Foodservice Sales
• Category Management
• CRM Tools (Salesforce)
• Financial Acumen
• Customer Relationship Management
• Market Trend Analysis
• Food Safety
• Event Management
• Product Demonstrations