Food Fanatic Chef

US Foods is a leading foodservice distributor committed to delivering innovative products and services to customers across the United States. As a vital player in the foodservice industry, US Foods partners with a diverse customer base ranging from independent restaurants to large national foodservice operators, providing a broad portfolio of high-quality products and culinary solutions. The company boasts an extensive network of distribution centers and a team dedicated to supporting customer success through custom culinary expertise and operational excellence. Known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and outstanding customer service, US Foods continues to set the standard in the foodservice distribution market, emphasizing the promotion of unique and exclusive brand offerings to meet evolving culinary trends and customer needs.

The Food Fanatic Chef (FFC) role at US Foods is a dynamic and influential position focused on driving customer engagement, boosting sales growth, and elevating culinary standards through expert consultation and partnership. This role requires a proactive leader who excels in building long-term relationships with customers, understanding their operational challenges, and delivering customized culinary solutions that align with business goals. The FFC actively participates in the local restaurant community, leveraging industry connections and market insights to identify opportunities and deliver impact. This role not only involves direct customer interaction but also collaboration with internal teams including sales, merchandising, and marketing to ensure alignment of culinary strategies with commercial objectives.

The FFC serves as a culinary ambassador, leading the charge in elevating food culture within their area by providing training, demonstrations, and inspirational presentations that foster adoption of US Foods exclusive products and innovations. The chef is responsible for planning and executing high-profile events such as sales meetings and training sessions, often creating complex and engaging presentations that communicate the value of product offerings and industry trends. Culinary expertise is showcased through kitchen and operational assessments, menu development, and use of proprietary tools like Menu Profit Pro that enhance customer experience with costed recipes and business insights.

In addition to customer-focused duties, the FFC supports strategic merchandising initiatives by providing training to sales teams and collaborating with category and regional culinary managers. They champion the growth of exclusive brands within independent restaurants and national accounts by conducting onsite assessments and facilitating seller education, contributing directly to sales acceleration. The role also demands active participation in the Food Fanatics program through engagement in local, virtual, and national events, sharing best practices, and enhancing the program's visibility via social media and digital platforms. The FFC embodies US Foods cultural values such as excellence, teamwork, and sustainability, using these principles to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Supervision of part-time kitchen staff may be required, along with maintaining effective relationships internally across sales, merchandising, and marketing teams, and externally with chefs and customers. The work environment primarily includes kitchens located either at the distribution center or customer sites, demanding physical endurance and flexibility. This full-time role requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant culinary and foodservice experience, high-level communication skills, and the ability to deliver training to diverse audiences. Candidates are expected to complete comprehensive onboarding and certification programs while demonstrating refined organizational and leadership capabilities to manage impactful culinary events and campaigns. The position offers a unique opportunity for passionate culinary professionals to combine their expertise with strategic sales and marketing efforts in a fast-paced, customer-centric setting.