Area Executive Chef

Area Executive Chef | Remote with Travel (Must be based in the Greater Los Angeles Area)

The way we improve the food experience for customers in the foodservice industry is through value-added creativity and long-term service and support.  The Citadel Area Executive Chef role helps inspire everyone in every function to think food, kitchen, and customer first and is designed to add value to our customers with beneficial food solutions.  

As a Citadel Area Executive Chef Los Angeles, you will support, from a culinary perspective, the CD Team by assisting in the delivery of critical customer presentations and new menu ideations.  You will act as a savory expert.  Lead the culinary content development for specific culinary projects in North America in conjunction with your chef peers and in collaboration with the Head chef.  In particular, you will be an accelerator in the delivery of Savory/Scratch Cooking growth initiatives designed to enhance the value of UFS brands at both existing customers and new ones. Customer Chefs will work in concert with Marketing, CD Ops, Finance and Supply Chain to coordinate efforts and resources on behalf of their Zone.    

• You’re a born leader and self starter: You deliver success with customers in the market by jumping into the details with your CD team.  You constructively challenge them in their existing ways of working and inspire them to discover elevated ways to succeed. You prioritize and take control of challenges as they arise.   
• You’re a dot connector: You coordinate Unilever resources to ensure alignment to the key priorities.  You rely upon collaboration as a core principle of success.  You network with decision makers both internally and externally across all sectors of the industry to expedite business acquisition  
• You’re a paradox navigator: Routinely interface and work effectively with multiple internal departments/personnel, plus senior level and customer personnel, which may create complexity and time management challenges.  You embrace the complexity and can creatively develop solutions to maximize business results.  

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

• 3+ years culinary experience in the Foodservice Industry (Corporate or Kitchen)  
• Culinary Arts Degree  
• 3+ years working in your respective Citadel (Los Angeles).
• Solution selling mindset with a creative ability to solve customer needs  
• Ability to collaborate with sales teams to both hunt and farm for business in the market  
• Understanding of the Broadline Distribution Network (Sysco, US Foods etc)  
• Experience selling branded food categories a plus 
• Excellent communication and follow up skills throughout the layers of Unilever organization.  
• Accountability to deliver KPIs, Goals as a team  
• Business Planning and Implementation  
• Consumer/Operator Understanding & Passion  
• Travel as needed outside of your citadel around 10%

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Management Experience - 3 years   

Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years