Culinary Specialist

Position Overview
With a culinary background this position has a culinary approach to sales. The responsibilities of this role include being the acting Chef for the market, executing all aspects of culinary responsibility for the market and our clients.

Actively looking for enhancements to our culinary approach to be more successful in our go to market strategy. Must also support sales representatives with operator leads and possibly handle some independent distribution.
Primary Responsibilities- Culinary

• Assist in acquiring and preparing groceries and ingredients for culinary presentations at trade events and company functions.
• Support team members at trade events and company functions by helping create impactful visual displays featuring refreshed samples of client products.
• Help maintain the company test kitchen, ensuring cleanliness, organization, and the restocking of products within code to support daily operations.
• Assist in the upkeep of the dish room, ensuring proper washing, sanitizing, drying, and putting away of dishes in their designated locations.
• Recipe presentations to sales team and operators, demonstrating the ease of working with products.
• Develop new and innovative recipe ideas that incorporate our client’s products. Completing those ideas with pictures and recipes within the Affinity Group approved recipe template

Primary Responsibilities- Sales

• Work alongside a team of experienced professionals from marketing, data analytics, culinary, and sales, all while gaining real-world insight into how culinary arts and sales intersect in the foodservice industry.
• Assist sales representatives with distributor and operator calls, while also being responsible for managing and reaching out to your own operators.
• Follow up with sales leads within 24 hours
• Enter sales call details into the CRM system on a daily basis.
• Responsible for trimester planning to align with client goals through end-user engagement.

Candidate Profile
We are seeking a passionate and creative culinary professional with a strong sales mindset to join our team. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of culinary expertise and a strategic approach to sales. You should be someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is eager to make a direct impact on our go-to-market strategy. This role requires an individual who is not only skilled in the kitchen but also comfortable in client-facing interactions, presenting and promoting our client’s products with enthusiasm and expertise.
Candidate Qualifications and Competencies:

• Culinary Expertise: A strong background in culinary arts with the ability to create innovative recipes and execute high-quality culinary presentations.
• Sales Acumen: Experience or interest in supporting sales teams by providing culinary insights, assisting with sales leads, and contributing to business development.
• Attention to Detail: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage a clean and efficient kitchen, ensuring all products are restocked and within proper code.
• Communication Skills: Ability to effectively communicate with clients, sales representatives, and operators to convey product benefits and create engaging presentations.
• Adaptability: Ability to work across various departments, from marketing to culinary, and actively contribute to enhancing our culinary approach to sales.
• Technology Skills: Proficient in using CRM systems to track sales leads and customer interactions, with an emphasis on prompt follow-up and relationship-building.

Professional Skills:

• Culinary presentation and product knowledge
• Recipe development, including visual presentation and documentation
• Sales support and relationship-building with operators and distributors
• Time management and multi-tasking in a dynamic environment
• Knowledge of food safety standards and kitchen organization
• CRM software proficiency and reporting

What to Expect

• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.
• Gain invaluable hands-on experience in a collaborative and innovative environment.
• This role offers the opportunity to develop new skills, contribute to exciting projects, and play a key role in shaping our go-to-market strategy.

Why Join Us?
At Affinity Group, we offer more than just a job – we provide an exciting opportunity for professional growth and development in a collaborative, innovative environment. You’ll have the chance to work with industry experts across multiple departments, gaining hands-on experience that will enrich your career. Whether you're showcasing culinary creativity, supporting sales teams, or contributing to strategic marketing efforts, you’ll be part of a team that values your input and encourages continuous learning. We offer a dynamic workplace where your contributions make a real impact, and your passion for food and sales is celebrated. Join us and be part of a team that’s driving success in the foodservice industry while fostering an environment where you can thrive personally and professionally.

The Affinity Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.