The Nestlé Professional Solutions at Nestlé USA leverages its position as the world's largest food and beverage company to bring brands that you enjoy in your home, to other areas of your life such as the workplace, restaurants, hotels, and your neighborhood College or University. Our portfolio of products and solutions includes beloved brands such as Stouffer's, Coffee mate, Nescafé, and Starbucks. With our extensive networks and industry knowledge, we offer unparalleled support and guidance to foodservice operators, ensuring their success in a competitive market. We strive to contribute to a healthier future by providing the finest ingredients and operational knowledge to every type of foodservice operation. The strength of our trusted brands is supported by a team of skilled professionals who are dedicated to deepening their industry experience. Our team of culinary experts and skilled product developers partner closely with foodservice professionals to generate creative, branded food and beverage solutions that address a wide variety of needs. Our employees thrive on opportunities to grow and develop within the food-service industry, ensuring that we are always at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.
 
This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Custom Innovation Lead will drive business to achieve profitable volume growth at prioritized and qualified Commercial Multi Unit, Deli, Club, Convenience emerging and select non-commercial accounts.  They will accomplish growth with existing accounts and new customers through excellent project management, application of The Custom Innovation Group™ services portfolio, and cross-functional leadership providing superior product and service solutions. The Custom Innovation Lead will profitably manage the corresponding customer and Custom Food P&L(s). 

Based on knowledge of consumer and operator insights, they will provide vital input to the development of a product and application strategy for the channel and work with the Sales team to bring the strategy to life.  The Custom Innovation Lead will pass on key innovations to the Branded Food Nestlé Professional Solutions team as well as the broader Nestlé USA organization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Development

• Serve as the key interface between internal teams (Product Development, Manufacturing Services, Commercial Development and Finance) and the customer via Sales (Customer Account Managers & Chef2Chef ) to develop a scalable portfolio of product solutions that grows our Custom Innovation Group Portfolio of business profitably= at prioritized customers.  
• Must effectively translate needs and capabilities through effective communication.
• Leads prioritization of new customer acquisition targets applying rigor of qualitative and objective data to determine overall strategic fit and prioritization.
• Partners with Product Development & TAG Teams to manage prioritization, pipeline and results at prioritized acquisition targets using screening and scope of work briefing tools.
• Interact with Sales (and customer directly) so as to understand business needs and propose existing and new product solutions.
• Balance core growth and new product innovation to deliver overall customer growth.
• Manage the end-to-end new product development process internally with speed and urgency to deliver quality product on time
• Push the organization into new capabilities serving as Food team hub of Innovation.
• Understand culinary and industry trends, manufacturing capabilities, and food science so as to serve as an advisor to the customer and creatively mange the product creation process.
• Actively seek opportunity to communicate capabilities and services that address the tensions and industry opportunities our customer base seeks to solve. Do so utilizing touchpoints, including Digital resources, that stimulate action with through internal customers (Sales) and external operators.

Field Training

• Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with new and existing Customers.
• Drive The Custom Innovation Group Journey process by acting as the project manager insuring targeted outcomes for all parties involved are pre-defined and achieved.  
• Apply best-practices from these ideation events with internal customers and peers.
• Lead partner ideations with menu concepts, demonstration recipes and techniques that effectively help the Sales team to sell profitable product and flavor solutions.
• Liaise with Marketing Specialist partner to effectively communicate internally and externally
• Actively supports Training and Development Team in Solon with Best-Practices and Trainer leadership.

Administration

• Upholds Nestlé Professional and industry expectations for professionalism.
• Routinely shares relevant best-practices with peer network.
• Assure compliance with customer contracts and complete necessary customer documentation for new product launches with customer.
• Keeps project activities and progress notes current in project management tracking tools like I2L.
• Reconciles T&E budget in compliance with standards of Nestlé USA.
• Upholds contributions to forecasting accuracy and customer commitment agreements

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Achieve annual Innovations volume goal
• Achievement of New Customer Acquisition goal
• Achievement of high performance profit target
• Develop innovation that can be leveraged in other foodservice channels or adopted by Brand teams
• Achieve operating budget targets

SKILLS:

• Excellent Project Management and organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects on short time-lines.
• Negotiation move planning
• Project Management
• Strong cross-functional leadership to influence and challenge team to effective and efficient cooperation.
• Creativity in offering customer solutions and in making internal process improvements.
• Interpersonal skills to work across the entire organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good presentation abilities (for external and internal audiences).
• Analytical skills that leverage quantitative and qualitative information sources.
• Entrepreneur qualities including ownership of responsibilities, willingness to take risk and a sharp sense of urgency about moving the business forward and seizing opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree with post-graduate work strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5 years business experience
• Foodservice-specific experience preferred
• Digital or Content marketing experience preferred
• Familiarity with food science and manufacturing
• Proven performance on meeting financial & business targets
• Past history of cross-functional leadership success
• Requires 15% travel - can vary by needs of customer

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Requisition ID: 347802 

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.
 
To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.
 

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. 

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