Corporate Chef

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz is seeking a Corporate Chef for Non-Commercial Accounts at its Glenview R&D Center to shape and execute culinary strategy for AFH segments including Sports & Entertainment, Business & Industry, Healthcare, Distributors, and College & University. You will collaborate with Sales and Marketing to develop key accounts and channels through innovative culinary solutions.

You will lead professional culinary sessions with customers, provide on-site consultations, and mentor junior chefs

Qualifications

• Culinary degree preferred or equivalent corporate chef experience.
• 5–7 years of extensive food service experience across multiple channels.
• 4–5+ years as Corporate Chef for a food manufacturer or national chain.
• 2–3 years corporate culinary experience engaging with customers.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Hands-on with live culinary demonstrations and presentations.
• Understanding of restaurant equipment, ingredients, and manufacturing basics.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office for reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Translate trends into concepts and recipes to optimize the Kraft Heinz portfolio.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Innovation to prioritize offerings.
• Lead culinary sessions with key accounts to showcase products and needs.
• Manage and grow culinary relationships with key accounts.
• Provide on-site tastings, menu concept development, and training.
• Contribute to NPD and innovation through market insights.
• Develop USPs for new product launches and train local teams.

Skills

Culinary strategy

Food service experience

Corporate chef experience

Customer engagement

Presentation skills

Market trends

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Product development

Flavor trends

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

As the Corporate Chef- Non-Commercial Accounts, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the culinary strategy for both the market and key customers for Kraft Heinz’s Away From Home (AFH) Non-Commercial business (Sports & Entertainment (S&EI), Business & Industry (B&I), Healthcare, Distributors, and College & University (C&U). Your contributions will directly support the annual operating plan by collaborating with the Sales and Marketing team to develop key accounts and channels through innovative culinary solutions. Through strategic engagement with food professionals, category managers, and culinary leaders at key accounts, you will create initiatives that drive business growth for Kraft Heinz.

Job Description

As the Corporate Chef- Non-Commercial Accounts, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the culinary strategy for both the market and key customers for Kraft Heinz’s Away From Home (AFH) Non-Commercial business (Sports & Entertainment (S&EI), Business & Industry (B&I), Healthcare, Distributors, and College & University (C&U). Your contributions will directly support the annual operating plan by collaborating with the Sales and Marketing team to develop key accounts and channels through innovative culinary solutions. Through strategic engagement with food professionals, category managers, and culinary leaders at key accounts, you will create initiatives that drive business growth for Kraft Heinz.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Translate global and local market food trends into relevant food concepts and recipes to optimize the Kraft Heinz product portfolio.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, and Innovation, to prioritize new product offerings and improvements aligned with business objectives.
• Lead professional culinary sessions with customers including sports & entertainment, B&I, C&U, healthcare and distributor customers to showcase new products, demonstrate product versatility, and address customer needs.
• Manage and grow culinary business relationships with key accounts.
• Provide on-site consultations, engaging in menu concept development, tastings, and culinary training to meet customer objectives.
• Contribute innovative concepts supported by market data and insights to customers to align with the company’s NPD & Innovation strategy.
• Collaborate on developing unique selling propositions (USPs) for new product development (NPD) launches.
• Develop and deliver culinary training programs focused on product USPs for local sales, marketing teams, and customers.
• Act as a culinary mentor to junior chefs, providing guidance and professional development opportunities.
• Utilize standardized customer facing templates and other corporate resources
• Lead industry trade shows and activations
• Works on a variety of projects, including menu concept development, product development, customer work sessions, tasting, product cuttings & testing, culinary product training and other company and customer related projects as needed.
• Support the elevation of Kraft Heinz brands through engaging culinary experiences and storytelling.
• Conduct professional and engaging presentations with confidence, ensuring seamless execution through advance planning, organization, detailed communications, and appropriate time management.
• Manage internal or external kitchens with professionalism and efficiency.
• Experience using Microsoft Office including PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams and Word.
• Actively participate in the KHC Chefs Network, sharing insights, recipes, growth opportunities, and market trends.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Culinary degree preferred (i.e., a culinary or hospitality school certificate or bachelor’s degree in a related field) or equivalent corporate chef, sous chef or higher experience.
• 5 to 7 years of extensive food service experience with a proven background in various food service channels such as sports & entertainment, B&I, C&U, healthcare, FSR, fine dining, etc
• 4-5+ years of experience as a Corporate Chef for a food manufacturer, CPG company, distributor, national restaurant chain, agency or non-commercial company preferred.
• 2-3 years corporate culinary experience supporting or leading engagement with customers
• A continuous learner passionate about tackling challenges, anticipating consumer needs, and leveraging insights to drive product development.
• A strong interest in food trends, flavor profiles, and culinary innovation to inspire new product development and stay ahead of market demands.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a proven ability to build and maintain effective business relationships. Capable of influencing and coaching cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Adept at working with live customer interactions, providing culinary demonstrations, and engaging in presentations with confidence and professionalism.
• Possess a deep understanding of commercial restaurant cooking equipment, cooking techniques, and principles.
• Extensive familiarity with food ingredients, including their origin, handling, cooking applications, flavor pairings, and sensory attributes.
• Basic knowledge of food manufacturing processes and how they impact product development.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), with the ability to create clear reports and presentations.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range

$104,200.00 - $130,200.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits:

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing:

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Benefits

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.