Director of Culinary, Connections

Acxion; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Acxion is seeking a dynamic Director of R&D Chef to lead culinary innovation and client success in Chicago. You will manage a team of R&D chefs, oversee key accounts, and collaborate with the VP of Culinary Services to deliver outstanding results and grow the business.

You will direct all culinary aspects of projects, monitor trends, and maintain affiliations with culinary institutes and industry associations while upholding strict food safety standards.

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.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Client relationships

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Travel flexibility

Education

Degree from a nationally recognized culinary school

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

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.