Culinary Innovation Chef – Waring Foodservice Division
Job ID 2023-01201
Description
About us:
Waring, universally known for introducing the first blender in America, is one of today's leading manufacturers of professional appliances for the foodservice and laboratory industries and is a part of the Conair LLC family of brands. Waring Commercial offers high-performance, large-volume food processors and blenders, heavy-duty heating appliances such as grills, griddles, toasters and deep fryers, and a variety of specialty products. As a Solutions Specialist in the BLEND, PREP, COOK, and BREW categories, Waring strives to provide innovative, customized equipment to fulfill all the industry’s unmet needs. With 80+ years of manufacturing expertise locally and globally, Waring is proud to offer continuously expanding collections of superior professional products.
Position Summary:
We are looking for a highly creative and experienced Culinary Innovation Chef to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for culinary arts and a strong background in food service and product development. The role will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, engineering, marketing, and sales to support and meet business objectives.
The Culinary Innovation Chef will be responsible for conceptualizing new recipes, product training and events, and ensuring that all products meet our high standards for quality and safety. The successful candidate will have excellent project management skills, the ability to work under pressure, and a keen eye for detail. You will be expected to stay up-to-date with the latest food trends and consumer preferences, and to use this knowledge to drive the development of new products and improvement of our existing assortment. This is a fantastic opportunity for a creative and driven individual to make a significant impact in a fast-paced and growing company.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Events & Sales Assistance:
- Product Expert: Become a Waring product expert and be able to answer application-based questions about the full product line and provide exceptional representative support.
- Culinary Tradeshows: Plan and attend large corporate tradeshows (NRA, NAFEM, as well as regional shows) – must be comfortable demonstrating equipment in front of small and large groups of people. Work with marketing to plan for culinary tradeshows. Collaborate to create menu samples and team meals.
- Lead & Develop Demonstrations: Conduct live or virtual equipment demonstrations, effectively communicating the benefits and functionalities of Waring products to diverse groups. Train the Trainer.
- Engage with Key Customers: Work with the internal sales team to determine key customer meetings to attend.
- Training & Workshops: Conduct customer training sessions and workshops (in person and interactive) to educate users on the optimal use of Waring products, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.
- Product Development Support:
- Assist the product development team with culinary testing requirements.
- Work with PD/engineering to establish testing protocols that simulate real-world foodservice usage applications.
- Conduct market research and stay updated on industry trends to drive innovation.
- Ideation support for new products, existing product improvements and updates.
- Documentation input and review – instruction manuals, FAQ’s, etc.
- Marketing Support
- Recipe Development & Testing: Develop and test new recipes, assist with blog writing and newsletter content.
- Content Creation: Be available to help with content creation, for example product training videos and food styling for photography, etc.
- Customer Service
- Become a Waring product expert and be able to answer application-based questions about the full product line.
- Technical Assistance: Provide technical support for customers experiencing issues with Waring products.
- Partnership & Relationship Building
- Network with industry professionals and fellow chefs.
- Act as the liaison between marketing and culinary schools like JWU, CIA, etc.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in the culinary industry
- Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
- Proven track record of culinary innovation and menu development.
- Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and culinary best practices.
- Excellent time management, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift to 50 pounds.
Environmental Factors:
- Working conditions are normal for an office environment.
- Must be able to use a computer keyboard and view a monitor for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to travel domestically and internationally for business.
What we offer:
- Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision plans
- Generous Paid Time Off Programs
- Life & Disability Insurance
- FSA/HRA/Dependent Care FSA
- Paid Parental Leave Policy
- 401k and company match
- EAP & Employee Wellness Programs
- Volunteer Days Paid Time Off
About Conair:
Conair is a leading international designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded personal care and small kitchen appliances, cookware, hairbrushes & accessories, cosmetic bags, and travel accessories.
Conair has always been driven by a passion for innovation; it’s part of the Company’s DNA. Trendsetting products have been invented by Conair since its inception in 1959, keeping the Company always a step ahead of the competition. The company's domestic and international divisions offer a diversified mix of consumer and professional products sold in over 120 countries. The Family of Conair brands includes CONAIR, Cuisinart, Cuisinart Outdoors, BabylissPRO, Scünci , and Waring.
Conair’s passion for innovation gets stronger with each decade, as evidenced by the over 1,000 patents the Company has obtained worldwide. Today, Conair and its brands are names known throughout the world. Conair continues to introduce its brands to new and emerging markets, year after year. By the 1990s, most households in America owned at least one Conair product. Today many have more than one, and the Company’s goal is to ensure that every household in the world eventually owns one of our products.
Are you passionate about this opportunity but worried that you don’t have 100% of the experience we’re looking for? We still want to hear from you!
Apply online and let us know why you would make a great addition to Conair!