Culinary Strategy Manager - Field Sales

Nestlé; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Healthcare coverage

Incentives

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

The Nestlé Professional Solutions at Nestlé USA is seeking a Manager, Culinary Strategy – Field Sales to lead field-based culinary teams and translate portfolio strategy into operator-focused solutions.

You will shape field culinary strategies, drive growth in foodservice channels, and partner with leadership, brokers, and sales teams. Travel up to 60% across North America is required; a strong culinary and sales background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality Management, Business, or related field.
• 6+ years in restaurant, foodservice, or culinary sales.
• 4+ years in culinary selling with a food manufacturer, distributor, broker, or similar.
• 4+ years of people leadership in corporate setting.
• Willingness to travel up to 60%.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a field-based Corporate Chef team to drive performance.
• Oversee training and onboarding to strengthen product expertise and engagement.
• Set performance metrics and align goals with KPIs.
• Develop field culinary strategies to support growth and customer objectives.
• Collaborate with Leadership and Broker Partners to guide the team.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communication

Consultative selling

Cross-functional collaboration

Business acumen

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Manager, Culinary Strategy – Field Sales

The Nestlé Professional Solutions at Nestlé USA leverages its position as the world’s largest food and beverage company to bring brands that you enjoy in your home, to other areas of your life such as the workplace, restaurants, hotels, and your neighborhood College or University. Our portfolio of products and solutions includes beloved brands such as Stouffer's, Coffee mate, Nescafé, and Starbucks. With our extensive networks and industry knowledge, we offer unparalleled support and guidance to foodservice operators, ensuring their success in a competitive market. We strive to contribute to a healthier future by providing the finest ingredients and operational knowledge to every type of foodservice operation. The strength of our trusted brands is supported by a team of skilled professionals who are dedicated to deepening their industry experience. Our team of culinary experts and skilled product developers partner closely with foodservice professionals to generate creative, branded food and beverage solutions that address a wide variety of needs. Our employees thrive on opportunities to grow and develop within the food-service industry, ensuring that we are always at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Nestlé Professional Solutions at Nestlé USA leverages its position as the world’s largest food and beverage company to deliver trusted brands, innovative solutions, and industry expertise to foodservice operators across restaurants, lodging, healthcare, education, and workplace dining. The Culinary team plays a critical role in translating Nestlé Professional's portfolio strategy into marketplace execution. As the organization's culinary experts, they amplify product knowledge and operational expertise across Sales and Marketing, transforming products into relevant, operator-focused solutions that solve real business challenges. Through customer engagement, field insights, training, and commercialization support, the team helps shape go-to-market strategies, influence customer decisions, and drive sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of field-based Corporate Chefs, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee training, onboarding, and enablement programs to strengthen product expertise, consultative selling, and customer engagement capabilities.
• Establish and manage performance metrics, quality standards, and team goals aligned to annual business objectives and KPIs.
• Conduct regular coaching, mentoring, and field engagement to strengthen culinary selling, operator engagement, and commercial effectiveness.
• Drive talent development through coaching, succession planning, and individualized growth opportunities.
• Partner with Culinary Strategy Leadership, Regional Field Sales Leadership, and Broker Partners as you lead the Culinary Field Sales Team.

Customer Engagement

• Develop and execute field culinary strategies that support growth initiatives, customer priorities, and business objectives.
• Lead strategic customer engagements, activations, business reviews, and top-to-top culinary opportunities that drive measurable business results.
• Maintain an individual project pipeline based on geographic region and overall company targets.

Operational Excellence & Field Execution

• Optimize field resource allocation and deployment strategies to maximize impact, efficiency, and return on culinary investment.
• Implement and maintain standardized tools, processes, and best practices that ensure consistent, scalable execution across all regions.
• Through market assessment and broker knowledge, create programs on the field level based on product or channel-relevant needs.

Required Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, Hospitality Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 6+ years of restaurant, foodservice, or culinary sales experience required.
• 4+ years of experience in a culinary selling role with a food manufacturer, distributor, broker, or comparable organization.
• 4+ years of people leadership experience leading and developing teams in a corporate setting.
• Deep knowledge of foodservice channel, industry trends, customer strategies, and competitive landscape.
• Knowledge of broker networks preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and sanitation standards.
• Ability to travel up to 60%.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strategic, results-oriented leader with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify opportunities, address gaps, and develop actionable business strategies.
• Proven ability to lead change, optimize processes, and implement scalable ways of working that improve organizational effectiveness and commercial impact.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Executive presence with exceptional communication and influencing skills, capable of building alignment across leadership, sales, marketing, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong business and commercial acumen with the ability to connect culinary expertise, customer needs, and portfolio strategy to measurable business outcomes.
• Deep understanding of consultative selling, customer engagement, and culinary field sales within foodservice or food manufacturing environments.
• Broad culinary and operational expertise with the ability to translate portfolio capabilities into scalable, customer-focused solutions.

The approximate pay range for this position is $160,000-to $170,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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