Sales Chef - Local Travel

About The Zidian Group

It is our mission, but more importantly our passion, to produce and distribute food products that exceed consumer quality and taste expectations as well as deliver exemplary dining experiences. In addition to our own Gia Russa brand, we also manufacture various private label products in our LEED certified food manufacturing facility, situated on our 10-acre campus. Along with our manufacturing, we also import from Italy as well as distribute to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico.

Throughout the years, we have brought consistently fresh, flavorful and healthy Italian specialties to the marketplace. We use only a few select ingredients that are pure and free of additives or preservatives while passionately upholding time-honored Italian traditions to proudly produce some of the world’s most sought after pasta sauces and Italian specialties.

Join a great family owned company with a unique Chef position who is responsible to prepare food at various locations, while describing product features and recipes.

Primary Responsibilities

PREPARE FOOD AT REMOTE LOCATIONS FOR SAMPLING DEMONSTRATIONS:

• Prepare and plan for successful in store sampling demonstrations:
• Follow established guideline of sampling demonstration with maintaining 3 food selections as well as a passive sampling station, when required.
• Prepare food for any special requests from store director or store manager in charge for employee break room sampling.
• Promote positive public relations with customers and guests.

TRAVEL:

• Local travel (Approximately 90% of travel)
  • Driving to regional customer accounts and/or catering events which are located within Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia
  • Weekend travel on average 2 weekends per month but may vary upon customer needs
  • Overnight trips are required on a monthly basis and are 2-3 nights per trip on average but may vary upon customer needs
• National travel (Approximately 10% of travel)
  • Flying to national customer accounts and/or trade shows
  • Overnight trips are 2 per quarter on average but may vary upon customer needs
  • Weekend travel is required for some overnight trips

PREPARE FOOD AND DESCRIBE FEATURED PRODUCTS AT REGIONAL AND/OR NATIONAL TRADE SHOWS:

• Upon arrival, set up chef stations, including proper washing and sanitizing of all equipment prior to use.
• Shop for any additional supplies needed for show sampling.
• Prepare all food to be ready to sample when show opens, or per instructions from show leader.
• Actively, draw people in while serving featured product, and describing product highlights and answering questions.
• Promote positive public relations with customers.
• At end of day, clean all equipment and be ready for next day’s show with replenishing food supplies or any other equipment needs.
• Help pack booths, and chef equipment at end of show to prepare for safe shipping.

CATER SPECIAL EVENTS, WHILE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS:

REATE AND DOCUMENT NEW RECIPES TO UTILIZE PRODUCTS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, INSTRUCTIONAL COOKING CLASSES OR PUBLIC RELATIONS SPOTS:

Qualifications

• High school diploma required and Culinary school training preferred
• 2 years of work experience in culinary field preferred
• ServSafe Food Handling Certification a plus
• Basic Microsoft Suite software (Outlook, Excel and Word) knowledge/skills
• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently without constant direct supervision
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods of time
• Flexibility with work schedule and capable of working long hours when necessary
• Must have valid driving license to perform job duties
• Must have an excellent driving record, the ability to drive an automobile safely and be insured

The Zidian Group offers a competitive benefit package:

• Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Critical Illness, Accident, Supplemental Life Insurance
• Company Paid Life Insurance, STD, LTD
• 401k with Company Match
• 8 paid holidays
• PTO