Assistant Chef for Vis-Min / Modern Trade (Project-based)

Job Title: Assistant Chef for Vis-Min / Modern Trade (Project-based)

Reports To: Country Executive Chef

About Unilever Food Solutions

At Unilever Food Solutions, our purpose is to Free Chefs to love what they do. We work with Hotels, Restaurants, Caterers, Cafeteria to create exciting menus that are good for diners, and good for the planet. Our brands include Knorr, Best Foods and Lady Choice— trusted and used by chefs and F&B operators every day.

We’re searching for a Sous Chef who will work with our top customers in bringing the best solutions, and creating dishes that will win diners. 

You will develop and execute exciting business plans as part of the cross functional team, with the objective of creating demand and delivering sales targets and profitability management.

Job Purpose

The Sous chef at Unilever Food Solutions will be responsible for leading culinary innovations, development, and culinary trainings within his/her assigned area. This role will collaborate closely with our CD sales teams, Marketing and Capability team to create and develop new products that align with culinary trends and our business strategies.

The Sous chef is expected to always represent the Unilever Food Solutions brand professionally and to utilize their culinary expertise to support our customers and drive business growth.

What Will Your Main Responsibilities Be

Culinary Strategy Development

Develop innovative culinary strategies aligned with market trends, customer needs, and Unilever Food Solutions' business objectives. Stay updated on industry developments, emerging culinary trends, and competitive landscape.

Product Development and Improvement

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and improve food products, recipes, and menu solutions. Conduct sensory evaluations, recipe testing, and ensure product quality, taste, and consistency.

Culinary Demonstrations and Presentations

Conduct product demonstrations, culinary workshops, and training sessions for customers, distributors, and internal teams. Showcase the features, benefits, and applications of Unilever Food Solutions' products.

Menu Development and Optimization

Work with our CD sales and marketing teams to develop profitable and appealing menus and dishes for our customers. Lead and contribute to the growth of focus channels with culinary know how and expertise via solution selling.

Culinary Trends Analysis

Monitor and analyze culinary trends, consumer preferences, and market insights. Translate these insights into actionable recommendations for product development, marketing strategies, and customer engagement initiatives.

Culinary Innovation

Lead the development with his area of responsibility by showcasing innovative culinary concepts and products that align with market trends, customer needs, and our business objectives. Translate insights into product ideas and application related to country project/brief.

Culinary Training

Responsible developing and implementing a training program that empowers and stretches the team. This will incorporate (Culinary quotient) chef skills, development of a professional Chef mindset, Dish sampling preparations and Dish presentation skills.

Culinary Support

Provide expert culinary support and advice to our customers, helping them to improve their operations and achieve their business objectives. Co-ordinate with internal team from CD, CD Ops, R&D, CD Capability, Marketing, and related functions in order to ensure smooth and efficient operations to support the business growth plan.

Brand Representation

Represent Unilever Food Solutions at industry events, trade shows, and media appearances. Build chef network and elevate digital chef branding via relevant digital touch point.

Key Deliverables

Culinary Strategy Plan

Develop a comprehensive culinary strategy plan that aligns with Unilever Food Solutions' business goals and market trends. This plan should include innovative menu solutions, product recommendations, and customer engagement strategies.

Product Development and Improvement

Contribute to the development and improvement of food products, recipes, and menu solutions. Ensure that products meet quality standards, are commercially viable, and deliver exceptional taste and performance.

Social Media / Chef influencer

Create engaging content that showcases UFS products in a positive light while providing value to followers. Collaborating with Marketing on campaigns and promotions and promoting the products authentically and transparently. Engaging with the audience by responding to comments, messages and fostering a sense of community around food and cooking. The role of UFS Ambassador should always highlight professionalism, integrity and alignment with the Unilever brand values in all content and interactions.

Culinary Demonstrations and Presentations

Conduct engaging and informative product demonstrations, culinary workshops, and training sessions. Inspire customers and internal teams with creative applications of Unilever Food Solutions' products.

Impactful and Relevant Operator presentation

Collaborate with chefs and foodservice operators to develop and optimize menus that showcase Unilever Food Solutions' products. Ensure that menus are profitable, on-trend, and deliver exceptional taste experiences. Achieving a successful, impactful presentation of Brief presented to each operator with a high conversion and strike-rate is highly valued.

Market Insights and Recommendations

Stay updated on culinary trends, operator preferences, and market insights. Provide recommendations on product development, marketing strategies, and customer engagement initiatives.

Training Programs

Help develop and deliver a specified number of chefmanship training programs each year specific to his/her area of responsibility.

Customer Relationships

Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, chefs, and foodservice operators. Provide culinary expertise and support to drive customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth.

Brand Visibility

Increase offline and online visibility of the Unilever Food Solutions and chef team brand within the industry and among our target customers via different touch point.

Experiences & Qualifications
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Academic / Professional qualification, 5 -7 years of working experience in the same role in a professional kitchen.
• Good command of spoken and written English
• Culinary expertise and creativity, passion for growth
• Pro-active, Business orientated, focused and problem solver.
• Basic knowledge of R&D, Marketing, and sales preferable
• Good presentation, planning and organizing skills.
• Able to work in multi-cultural environment.
• Possess knowledge and experience in Foodservice industry.
• National travel required

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.