Job Description
Job Description
WHO WE ARE
Baldwin Richardson Foods is focused on enriching the flavor of life. As a full-service liquid products supplier and strategic partner to the food and beverage industry, Baldwin Richardson Foods combines its formulation expertise and unique packaging options with robust processing capabilities to produce high-quality sauces, toppings, syrups, fillings, and shelf-stable beverages for the world's most iconic Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, and food service companies. Its state-of-the-art Innovation & Culinary Center transforms trends and culinary inspiration into legendary products through an award-winning commercialization process. The company also manufactures and markets Mrs. Richardson's dessert sauces and Nance's mustards / condiments in addition to producing finished goods for the private label sector. BRF maintains its headquarters and a manufacturing facility in Macedon, New York; with a Culinary Innovation Center in Westmont, Illinois; and offices and manufacturing facilities in Williamson, New York; Pennsauken, New Jersey; and Corona, California. This role will be based in Westmont, IL (hybrid).
WHAT WE NEED
The Manager, Culinary Strategy will drive the company’s culinary innovation agenda, translating trends, consumer insights, and customer needs into strategic culinary initiatives to create competitive advantages for BRF. This role leads the development and management of the BRF Pantry Program, serves as a key interface with internal and external customers, and provides leadership to the culinary team. The ideal candidate brings a blend of creative culinary expertise, strategic thinking, and people leadership to elevate the food experience across all channels.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Culinary Strategy Leadership
- Develop and execute the culinary vision and strategy aligned with corporate goals and brand direction. Engage and communicate strategy to internal partners.
- Connect how we go to market, and defining innovation to our internal teams (influence innovation pipeline) through presentations and engaging activities; connect what we’re doing in a creative and fun way, internally (sales, marketing, and innovation) and externally.
- Lead the identification of food trends, flavor profiles, and emerging cuisines to inspire innovation.
- Influence product development and commercialization through a culinary-first lens.
- Partner with marketing, finance, and sales to ensure product development is complete with trends and cost in mind so that the concept has the greatest success to be acceptable to customers.
- Creates and manages departmental budget
- Drive innovation initiatives with cross-functional partners (marketing, research and development, purchasing, operations, and engineering)
Key categories include :
Aseptic BeveragesNon aseptic beverage syrupsToppings – drizzles, Fudges, caramels, dessert toppings and particulatesFillings - low water activitySauces – sweet, savory and condimentsBRF Pantry Program Management
Own the strategy, development, and continuous improvement of the BRF Pantry Program.Working with customers, curate and maintain a dynamic portfolio of foundational products and ingredients aligned with innovation pipelines.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the pantry delivers efficiency, scalability, and creative value.People Leadership & Development
Lead and develop a high-performing team of chefs and culinary professionals.Provide mentorship, performance management, and career development opportunities.Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and creative team culture.Adding insights, using industry inputs, to optimize org structureCustomer & Trend Analysis & Insights
Serve as a primary culinary contact for key customers, providing menu ideation, tasting presentations, and strategic input.Support customer innovation sessions and co-creation initiatives.Continuously improve and innovate the way we show concepts to new and existing customers. Use of technology and new formats (video, sample shipment, real time and in person experience)Stay ahead of culinary, flavor, and ingredient trends.Analyze consumer behavior, competitive activity, and industry innovations to inform development.With procurement, be able to identify, partner, develop, and manage a supplier base to deliver technical and creative product solutions when needed.WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or related field (Culinary degree preferred).7+ years of culinary experience in food manufacturing, foodservice, or consumer packaged goods.2+ years of people leadership experience in the culinary space, to include mentoring, coaching and development.Proven leadership experience with cross-functional and culinary teams.Deep understanding of food trends, consumer insights, and menu development.Customer-facing experience with an emphasis on innovation and relationship-building.Previous experience in a food production organization.Ability to travel up to 25% of the time – to facilities and customers (domestic)At BRF, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
You'll also receive a comprehensive benefits package including low premium and out of pocket cost medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with company match, generous sick and vacation time, 9 paid holidays, birthday and floating holidays, volunteer time and more!
Read more about who we are at :
www.brfoods.com or www.linkedin.com / company / baldwin -richardson-foods
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