Director of Culinary, Connections

ADP, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Acxion Foodservice Inc. is seeking a dynamic Director of Culinary, Connections to lead our R&D and client success initiatives in Chicago.

You will steer culinary innovation while building lasting client relationships and managing a talented R&D team. The role combines creative kitchen leadership with strategic business development, requiring travel as needed and a proven track record in high-pressure environments.

Qualifications

• Degree from a nationally recognized culinary school.
• 10+ years in progressive culinary roles—R&D, sales, or corporate settings.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and client relationship skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Deep understanding of restaurant operations, manufacturing, and food safety.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to travel, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of direct reports, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Maintain positive, productive relationships with clients assigned directly to you and to your team.
• Oversee and approve all concepts, recipes, documents, and client communications produced by direct reports.
• Provide training, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth to your team members.
• Lead and/or oversee client presentations and interactions—securing menu placements on behalf of manufacturer clients.
• Cultivate relationships with top 250 national accounts, manufacturers, and existing clients to identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Maintain ongoing consultative services to ensure client satisfaction.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify additional marketing or culinary business opportunities.
• Resolve client and team challenges to achieve positive outcomes.
• Deliver regular activity and progress reports to the VP of Culinary Services.
• Direct all culinary aspects of projects, from concept creation and trend research to product development and final specifications.
• Monitor and apply emerging culinary, consumer, and restaurant trends in all projects.
• Manage specialized initiatives including international business, culinary center activities, and new business development.
• Test and recommend new methods, ingredients, and applications for both new and existing products.
• Maintain strong affiliations with culinary institutes, restaurants, and industry associations.
• Uphold strict food safety standards and procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Communication

Presentation skills

Food safety knowledge

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director of Culinary, Connections

Full Time Chicago, IL, US

19 days ago Requisition ID: 1153

ABOUT THE ROLE

We’re looking for a dynamic, high-energy Director of R&D Chef to lead our culinary innovation and client success. In this role, you’ll be both a creative culinary leader and a strategic business driver—crafting dishes and concepts that wow clients while building lasting relationships. You’ll manage a talented team of R&D chefs, oversee multiple high-profile accounts, and work directly with our VP of Culinary Services to deliver exceptional results and grow our business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of direct reports, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Maintain positive, productive relationships with clients assigned directly to you and to your team.
• Oversee and approve all concepts, recipes, documents, and client communications produced by direct reports.
• Provide training, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth to your team members.
• Lead and/or oversee client presentations and interactions—securing menu placements on behalf of manufacturer clients.
• Cultivate relationships with top 250 national accounts, manufacturers, and existing clients to identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Maintain ongoing consultative services to ensure client satisfaction.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify additional marketing or culinary business opportunities.
• Resolve client and team challenges to achieve positive outcomes.
• Deliver regular activity and progress reports to the VP of Culinary Services.

Culinary R&D

• Direct all culinary aspects of projects, from concept creation and trend research to product development and final specifications.
• Monitor and apply emerging culinary, consumer, and restaurant trends in all projects.
• Manage specialized initiatives including international business, culinary center activities, and new business development.
• Test and recommend new methods, ingredients, and applications for both new and existing products.
• Maintain strong affiliations with culinary institutes, restaurants, and industry associations.
• Uphold strict food safety standards and procedures.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree from a nationally recognized culinary school.
• 10+ years in progressive culinary roles—R&D, sales, or corporate settings.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and client relationship skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Deep understanding of restaurant operations, manufacturing, and food safety.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to travel, as needed.

PLEASE NOTE: Acxion Foodservice Inc. reserves the right to change, modify or add to the duties and essential functions at any time.