Culinary Specialist Job Description
As the Culinary Specialist at Ginsberg’s, you get to be our company’s “food ambassador”, supporting all merchandising activities, including but not limited to showcasing and testing the products sold by the company, attending merchandising events, conducting product cuttings, coordinating sampling of products, and managing the test kitchen at the Ginsberg’s facility.
The Culinary Specialist will also get to showcase new, exciting foods and products from our vendor-suppliers, develop recipes and use their culinary flare to help create menu ideas for our customers! The Culinary Specialist will serve as a strategic partner to our sales team, helping them to grow their customer base, increase their sales with existing customers, and mitigate the loss of business.
Culinary Specialist Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, with flexibility outside of regular business hours to meet the demands of the business.
Culinary Specialist Salary
- $75,000 – $85,000 annually based on a successful candidate’s level of proven experience in the industry.
A Few Key Essential Job Requirements
- Maintains a strong understanding of the variety and source of foods and supplies we receive from vendor partners and incorporates that knowledge into value-added actions.
- Supports and promotes Ginsberg’s Exclusive Brands to our customers through education and promotion.
- Partners with Sales and Marketing to create multimedia promotional content to further the value proposition of partnering with the Ginsberg’s brand.
- Develops multi-use scenarios and strategies for food items that create value, resulting in a strong return-on-investment for customers.
- Develops menu ideas using featured products with an emphasis on food cost analysis that supports the company’s product and marketing objectives.
- Assists vendor partners with food preparation and recipe creation, supporting and presenting their products in a manner that makes them desirable.
- Works with the Sales team to help increase sales with their current customers through sampling and cooking demos whether at the customer’s location, our test kitchen or the test kitchen of any of our broker/manufacturer partners.
- Supports the training and growth of our UniPro, Exclusive Brands and Top Vendor Partners.
- Holds ServSafe training classes on a consistent basis in various locations.
Education/Experience
Possession of an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the field of Culinary Arts, Culinary Nutrition or Food Service Management, with at least four (4) years of foodservice management or hands-on food preparation experience where progressive culinary creativity was demonstrated.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Include
- Possesses expert knowledge of food and food ingredients, and their preparation.
- Working knowledge of non-food products, and their purpose and application.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current restaurant and food industry trends.
- Strong knowledge of HACCP and other federal, state and local food sanitation regulations.
- Possesses culinary creativity.
- Ability to identify and pursue business development opportunities; build relationships across the industry including trade associations, customers, and strategic partners.
- Strong English language aptitude, including the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing (including the use of texting and email).
- Strong active listening skills, necessary to understand the needs of customers and others.
- Functional user of Microsoft Office products.
- Ability to use cameras, computers, and other peripheral equipment to record food preparation.
- Working knowledge of social media, blogs and other digital/social outlets for the purpose of promoting company product and services.
- Excellent public speaking abilities.
Great Ginsberg’s Foods Benefits Are Waiting For You
As a family-owned and operated company since 1909, we foster a welcoming workplace culture, embracing engagement and development, and attracting, recruiting, and retaining a diverse workforce. We adhere to our core values of respect for all people, a strong sense of integrity, and excellent customer service.
- 401(k) and Roth 401(k) retirement savings plans
- Healthcare insurance (health, dental, vision)
- Paid on-the-job training
- Paid vacation time, sick time and holidays
- Access to in-house Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapists
- Employee assistance programs
- Company-provided life insurance
- Annual boot allowance
- Employee discounts to our Will Call Center
