Senior Specialist, Culinary-AFH

Job Description

Job Purpose

As the Senior Culinary Specialist for Kraft Heinz Away from Home (AFH), you will support culinary initiatives by managing projects, assisting with events, and collaborating with Corporate Chefs and cross-functional teams including marketing, R&D, sales, and packaging. The role involves developing marketing materials, participating in product training, and contributing to the global culinary community by sharing trends and best practices. Ideal candidates will have food service experience, a strong understanding of culinary techniques, and a passion for innovation. This position requires strong communication skills, culinary creativity, and the ability to work independently while driving key projects that support brand growth and customer engagement.  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Assist the culinary team in managing multiple projects, ensuring seamless planning and execution of internal and external events. Responsibilities include procuring necessary supplies, setting up events, preparing food, and completing post-event breakdowns.

• Work closely with team members to enhance the company’s brand presence by identifying and creating opportunities to engage with current and potential customers through culinary activations, showcasing innovation and creativity in product usage.

• Contribute to creating marketing content such as videos, newsletters, and product testing reports, ensuring the materials align with the brand’s goals and effectively communicate key messages to internal and external audiences.

• Assist in developing and delivering product training programs, including creating instructional materials and conducting live or virtual demonstrations. Ensure training sessions effectively showcase the application of products to key stakeholders.

• Actively participate in the global Kraft Heinz culinary community by sharing insights on current trends, exchanging recipe ideas, and promoting best practices to foster continuous learning and innovation across teams.

• Play a key role in organizing and executing food demonstrations for both internal teams and external partners. Ensure that product presentations effectively highlight Kraft Heinz products' unique benefits and versatility.

• Partner with marketing, R&D, product and packaging, sales, and insights teams to support and implement culinary projects. Ensure that these collaborations align with broader business goals and drive innovation.

• Oversee and implement projects that come through the culinary request process, particularly those from the Away from Home team, ensuring that all requests are handled efficiently and aligned with strategic objectives.

• Assist in performance-testing products within real-world applications to ensure they meet quality standards and customer expectations. Provide feedback and insights that support product refinement and innovation.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Culinary degree preferred (e.g., certificate, apprenticeship, or bachelor’s in a related field) or equivalent experience as a corporate chef, sous chef, or higher.

• Proven food service experience across channels such as hotels, full-service restaurants, QSR management, bar & grills, catering, B&I, or institutional dining.

• Strong culinary foundation in cooking techniques, product characteristics, safe food handling, and ideation.

• Independent and deadline-driven, able to prioritize tasks with minimal supervision.

• Continuous learner who pushes boundaries, with strong storytelling and digital presentation skills in both virtual and live environments.

• Passionate about food trends and culinary innovation, with a focus on flavor profiles and new product development.

• Excellent communication skills, able to build relationships, influence, and coach cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• Experienced in live demonstrations and confident in customer interactions and presentations.

• Knowledgeable in commercial cooking equipment and techniques, along with ingredient sourcing, applications, and sensory attributes.

• Familiar with food manufacturing processes and how they influence product development.

• Adaptable and flexible, thriving in fast-paced environments.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to create clear reports and presentations.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position operates primarily in an office environment with some travel to customer locations, stores, and manufacturing facilities as needed. We offer a hybrid work model that provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week. Employees are expected to work in person at least three days per week, with primary offices in Chicago and a secondary location in Glenview, IL. Project demands and customer engagements will determine travel and on-site visits

Physical Requirements 

Physical demands include but are not limited to:

• Ability to stand for extended periods during food demonstrations, product testing, or culinary presentations.

• Frequent walking, bending, and reaching required during food preparation and kitchen activities.

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including food supplies, equipment, and ingredients.

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer for tasks such as creating reports, marketing materials, and product testing documentation.

• Occasional travel to customer locations, stores, or manufacturing facilities, which may involve extended periods of sitting or standing.

Ability to handle commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently, including cutting, chopping, and other repetitive motions during food preparation tasks.

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.