Operations Manager, Prepared Foods

Boar’s Head Brand is seeking a collaborative prepared food expert with strong project management and training capabilities. This individual will possess a strong knowledge and passion for the food industry as well as experience and knowledge in prepared food product development, commercialization, and retail launch. In this role, the Manager will work closely with the culinary development team and the Prepared Food business development Team and be responsible for 3rd party, Local Purveyors and retail production program roll-out and ongoing execution to brand standards. The ability to work collaboratively across functional areas with multiple disciplines, such as Chefs, sales organizations, operations, retailers, operators, and purveyors, is a must. Additionally, it must effectively work with outside partners, particularly retailers, manufacturers, and distribution centers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and commercialize prepared foods concepts that leverage Boar’s Head products, create scalable recipes, build sheets, and menu solutions for retail partners
• Elevate the Boar’s Head portfolio by insuring operational excellence and consistency by establishing preparation standards, training materials, food safety compliance, and executional guidelines that deliver a premium customer experience
• Drive culinary innovation and trend identification by translating consumer insights into seasonal offerings, limited time offers, and all around prepared foods solutions to retail partners
• Partner with sales, marketing and retail operators to support and launch new programs (onsite training), customer presentations, culinary demonstrations, and category growth ideas
• Independent self-starter, significant training and development focus
• Detail-oriented work dedicated to the quality and love of food
• Assist with teaching and training proper merchandising techniques
• Work with product development chefs, displaying strong professional standards and good business acumen
• Food Safety QA, RFP processes, distribution demands, and shelf-life standards
• Effective leadership & communication skills
• Tactical thinker that values brand success over individual or department recognition
• Represent, protect, and grow our Brand across multiple retail formats and banners through the delivery and execution of industry-leading prepared food programs
• Deliver Merchandising training and provided follow-up audits on adherence to Boar’s Head program policies
• Build and nurture customer relationships that separate Boar’s Head Experience from the competition
• Supports BH Purveyors, PF Business Development Managers and Channel Business Development Managers (BDM’s) to meet or exceed the individual and team goals
• Effective interaction with all business partners promotes prepared food and builds a supportive selling relationship
• Maintain current and up to date on evolving food and culinary production capabilities, standards, and best practices
• Strong presentation skills and ability to effectively communicate up and down the organization
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

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Qualifications

• BA/BS or equivalent required
• Minimum of 8 years of experience with 5 years of combined retail and commissary-related prepared foods management and production experience. Some retail deli management experience is preferred.
• Strong preference for candidates with brand development experience and working knowledge of fresh-prepared food product development from concept to commercialization
• Culinary degree or culinary certificate is a plus
• Educational or strong experiential background in food science and safe food handling in a production environment
• Experience developing and delivering task-related training programs
• Exposure to Q/A auditing practices
• Ability to travel up to 75% of the time