Culinary Specialist - USBL - US

Company: US0194 Sysco Central Illinois, Inc.Zip Code:62656Employment Type:Full TimeTravel Percentage: 0POSITION 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 Sysco's 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 brand

Coordinate with Director of Business Resources, leveraging data to identify top opportunities for business reviews

Collaborate 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 growth

Track activities and results, collaborate on opportunities, and champion the team selling process through use of Salesforce (Sysco's CRM tool)

Leverage sampling in a solutions-oriented manner to close sales

Be informed of market conditions and trends, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales; share information with customers as part of value-added services provided

Facilitate internal/external food shows, catering and event planning activities

Coordinate kitchen logistics in support of internal/external culinary events

Develop and maintain relationships with customers, chefs and sales teams through cooperative participation in local events, culinary competitions, culinary schools and other relevant opportunities

Advise sales team on product specifications. Serve as an expert on Cutting Edge Solutions/innovation items, Sysco Brand and CatMan products

Assist with employee training by working with sales to facilitate training sessions and complete demonstrations

Manage 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 parameters

Comply with all local and state food safety and health code regulations

Accompany and respond to regulatory agency kitchen/culinary center inspections

Provide work direction to additional culinary staff, third party vendors, sanitation staff as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Minimum: High School Diploma or GED and 3+ years executive chef experience in the foodservice industry

Preferred: Bachelor's degree or equivalent culinary degree, 3+ years of foodservice sales experience

Knowledge & 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 ratio

Strong financial acumen and ability to properly plan and execute business plans

Track record of success in the area of consultative selling and networking

Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work with and influence a variety of key stakeholders

Experience building trust with prospective customers and securing new business

Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to structure a weekly schedule to be successful

Demonstrated ability to deliver against deadlines and produce high-quality results (accuracy, thoroughness in the deliverables they are producing)

Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple initiatives at the same time

Strong business and restaurant operations acumen to manage sophisticated customers

Flexible; readily accepts change; open to new ideas

Proficiency in basic level math

Ability to learn the use of proprietary CRM tools for planning and forecasting sales growth

Proficient in Microsoft Applications Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Understanding of marketing principles, product lines, ordering procedures and Sysco's credit terms

BENEFITS INFORMATION:For information on Sysco's Benefits, please visit https://SyscoBenefits.comHOW WE PROTECT OUR ASSOCIATES COVID-19 Precaution(s): Personal protective equipment and masks provided

Temperature screenings

Social distancing guidelines in place

Sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning procedures in place

OVERVIEW:Sysco is the global leader in foodservice distribution. With over 57,000 associates and a fleet of over 13,000 vehicles, Sysco operates approximately 326 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 625,000 customer locations.We offer our associates the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization, and to serve others in a manner that exceeds their expectations. We're looking for talented, hard-working individuals to join our team. Come grow with us and let us show you why Sysco is at the heart of food and service.AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.This opportunity is available through Sysco Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.