Senior Culinary Strategy Manager, Field Sales

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

Job summary

Nestlé USA is seeking a Manager, Culinary Strategy – Field Sales to lead a team of field-based Corporate Chefs responsible for customer engagement and culinary sales support across the United States. You will develop field culinary strategies, drive activation, and partner with Sales, Marketing and Leadership to deliver measurable growth.

The role requires strategic leadership, coaching skills and deep foodservice knowledge; travel up to 60% is expected.

Qualifications

• 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 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%.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Nestlé USA is seeking a Manager, Culinary Strategy – Field Sales to lead a team of field-based Corporate Chefs responsible for customer engagement and culinary sales support across the United States. You will develop field culinary strategies, drive activation, and partner with Sales, Marketing and Leadership to deliver measurable growth.

The role requires strategic leadership, coaching skills and deep foodservice knowledge; travel up to 60% is expected.