Sr Mgr Culinary and Business Development

Description

We are Merrychef! We design, manufacture and supply best-in-class commercial high-speed ovens for the global foodservice market. We empower you to grow with us. We recognize you and reward you. We win together as one team!

As Senior Manager, Culinary Business Development for Merrychef, you will provide culinary leadership and support to manage, and develop the overarching strategy for Merrychef US Culinary needs to all Key Accounts, and all activities therein. This role is responsible for maintaining and developing strong relationships with Key Customer Account contacts and will be the “brand expert” responsible to support the field sales organizations in the growth of equipment and subscription sales by providing expertise in application, technology support and training.  This person would take the lead from the Sales team and assist with the closing of the sale. They will aid in the customization of customer technical execution and deployment of Connectivity. This position will require organization and completion of special assigned projects. As well as, taking on additional work beyond the general Key Account duties which may include but not limited to mentoring and training chefs, GSA chefs, supporting Marine and NPI engineering protocols.

Reporting directly to the Merrychef US VP Sales, this fully remote position based out of the US, preferably in the Dallas, Texas area.

Major Accountability:

• Work seamlessly with internal and external departments to provide reliable and quick responses to each account and department’s needs.
• Interpret market trends, opportunities, customer needs and feedback to assist in the development of prioritization and product roadmaps.
• Manage business case development and return on investment (ROI) for potential customers.
• Develop, organize, and execute culinary sales and training protocol/programs, and engage in the NPI process.
• Manage and execute the needs of large customers, work closely with Merrychef Sales team to drive all Merrychef initiatives.
• Manage assigned accounts; accurately manage scheduling to allow for field work, internal development and testing and administrative duties.
• Be an ambassador for Merrychef at tradeshows, customer events and with all customer interaction.
• Manage Merrychef’s Test Kitchen, the department’s budgetary guidelines, additional special projects and additional duties ongoing.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Compile information and research on account food products, menu, dining, technology, industry data, related trends, by identifying menu, food, and technology applications for current and NPI equipment platforms.
• Independently plans, prepares, tests, and verifies the results of existing and new menu items, food products using Merrychef platform. Document all process aspects in consistent Merrychef formatting for adaptation for our customers and internal/external comprehension.
• Utilize education, knowledge of food science, food management, food processing, marketing, culinary arts, foodservice management to collaborate through the innovation processes with menu items, equipment, process improvements related to culinary operation areas with each account.
• Plan and execute food and equipment demonstrations for all specified Merrychef USA Key Accounts to showcase product flexibility and capabilities to include in person, verbal, written or virtual methods.
• Train customers to effectively use each equipment platform, train the trainers to allow for independent usage and assist in the development of any training materials relative for each account through verbal, written, virtual or recorded methods.
• Work collaboratively across all business units with senior leadership and multi-functional teams.
• Support and drive new customer business through, innovation sessions with food and equipment solutions to contribute to the sales growth of strategic accounts thru developing new equipment platforms and revenue streams
• Organization and completion of special assigned projects, taking on additional work beyond the general Key Account duties which could include but not limited to mentoring and training rep chefs, key account chefs, supporting Marine and NPI engineering protocols.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Business, Sales/Marketing, Culinary, Engineering, Food Science or relevant field is required. Will consider 14 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of food industry experience is required; including previous leadership, culinary, R&D and business experience.

Skill and Abilities:

• Track Record in Team leadership and Culture building.
• Ability to Develop and communicate sales opportunities to Merrychef Sales and Strategic accounts groups, add value within an innovative environment. High
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal), that can transcend all levels of the business, including empathy for the end-user.
• Ability to solve complex problems analytically and creatively.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and multi-task in an ever-changing work environment.
• Must have strong organization and time-management skills.
• Ability to decipher customer culinary needs and requirements to lead the team and customer to success.
• Teamwork orientation: ability to work collaboratively with Merrychef Sales and Leadership teams.
• Leadership, collaboration, negotiating skills and strategy development; business acumen and experience in business case development.
• Advanced knowledge of computer software; demonstrated competence with spreadsheets, database applications, and presentations.
• Knowledge in selling and promoting Software as a Service (SaaS) is a plus.
• Consistently operate in a manner that aligns to the Company Core Values.
• Ability to travel up to 75% of the time domestically and internationally. Valid passport and drivers license required.
• Must be able to sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time. Able to work in a commercial kitchen environment, corporate office setting, in the field and must be able to lift, push or pull 50 lbs.
• Flexible hours and scheduling that includes after hours, travel regionally, locally and requiring overnight.  

Benefits:

We believe that our people our one of our most valuable assets. That’s why we provide our employees with a competitive benefits package that helps protect their health, income and lifestyle. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location, and can include the following:

• Competitive wage
• Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) savings plan
• Wellness Program
• Supplemental Health Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Training and Development
• Tuition Assistance
• Holiday Pay opportunities
• Employee discounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• On-the-job training and skills development
• Basic Life Insurance
• Leave Program
• Employee Events and more…

*Merrychef, a Welbilt brand, is a leading manufacturer of award-winning, innovative, commercial high speed ovens: delivering fresh, hot food on demand. Merrychef is constantly investing in research and development to reduce order-to-table times, eliminate waste, and expand menus. The facility based in Mayfield Heights, OH and Fort Wayne, IN supports our Merrychef brand, a division of Ali Group.

For more information about Merrychef, visit www.merrychef.com

Welbilt, Inc. provides the world’s top chefs, premier chain operators and growing independents with industry-leading equipment and solutions. Our innovative products and solutions are powered by our deep knowledge, operator insights, and culinary expertise. Our portfolio of 12 award-winning product brands includes Cleveland™, Convotherm®, Crem®, Delfield®, Frymaster®, Garland®, Kolpak®, Lincoln™, Manitowoc®, Merco®, Merrychef® and Multiplex®. These product brands are supported by three service brands: KitchenCare®, our aftermarket parts and service brand, FitKitchen®, our fully-integrated kitchen systems brand, and KitchenConnect®, our cloud-based digital platform brand. Headquartered in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, supported by over 5,400 employees and operating 21 manufacturing facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, we sell through a global network of over 5,000 distributors and dealers in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.welbilt.com.

Welbilt, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity in the workplace.  All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, medical condition, or any other status protected by law. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge, abilities, and business need.

#merrychef

#LI-Remote