Head Chef, Chicago Academy

About the role

The Head Chef directs and drives the successful operations of the Chocolate Academy in Chicago. They support Sales and Marketing through strategic campaigns and manage the Academy staff. In addition, they are a contributor in growing the business and promoting brand awareness.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Academy and its brands through demonstrations, courses, and customer sessions.
• Crafts the most attractive curriculum, covering newest trends in the pastry arts, as well as traditional chocolate theory and methodology, and instructs Academy courses.
• Ensures that the Academy and its tools are maintained to the best possible level during activity.
• Drives Academy improvement by monitoring and controlling relevant budgets, finding innovative equipment, and negotiating sponsorships/partnerships.
• Takes ownership in creating, innovating, implementing, and communicating specific customer segment product development applications.
• Supports Sales and Marketing through strategic campaigns and projects to aid in increasing sales volumes, profitability, and brand awareness.
• Supports customer questions and hosts sessions to promote implementation of product usage.
• Provides recommendations to Global Marketing on new products, tasting workability, and taste.
• Works and behaves professionally with Guest Chefs, Academy customers, and speaks intelligently about Chocolate, Pastry, and Barry Callebaut.
• Effectively manages and leads the Chocolate Academy team, improving their abilities and know-how with trainings and seminars.
• Using Salesforce, manages the academy team's CMRs in coordination with the Sales and Marketing team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts or related field is preferred and/or equivalent experience in culinary operations.
• At least 10 years of international and/or domestic experience as a chef working in pastry.
• Digital savvy.
• Understanding of the commercial and training objectives for all specific activities.
• Outstanding pastry and chocolate skills.
• Strong communicator with teaching skills.
• Experience working with large end-users and manufacturing companies.
• Professional working proficiency in English.
• Team player with the ability to lead others toward a common goal.

Benefits

• Salary Range of $110,000 - $125,000, depending on factors such as experience and location, plus annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• MyFlex PTO (unlimited) and paid holidays.
• Workplace flexibility and hybrid environment.
• An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature (#OneBC).
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth within an organization that values development and internal career growth.
• Commitment to sustainability through Forever Chocolate with priorities centered around prospering farmers, zero child labor, carbon and forest positive, and creating 100% sustainable ingredients in all products.