Food Innovation Leader

3 weeks ago


Chicago, Illinois, United States Mattson: Innovation for the Food & Beverage Industry Full time

About Mattson

Mattson is a renowned food and beverage innovation firm with a rich history of partnering with top-tier clients. For nearly five decades, we've collaborated with CPG, foodservice, and ingredient suppliers to drive business growth. Our passion lies in creating opportunities for our clients.

We help our clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of the foodservice industry. Within this space, we've:

  • Built growth strategies for operators like Bonchon
  • Conceived and prototyped new restaurant concepts for operators like Yogurtland
  • Created new menu items for operators like Round Table Pizza
  • Developed innovative products for suppliers like Simplot
  • Formulated new platforms and products for suppliers like Torani

Our mission is to pioneer the future of food, one product at a time. As an employee-owned company with 65 team members operating at a rapid pace, we enable our clients to be more agile and responsive to market demands. We provide hands-on resources, industry expertise, insights, and award-winning creativity across various food and beverage categories.

This role is based in our Chicago office, where we recently launched a state-of-the-art innovation center in the West Town neighborhood. We're seeking a talented professional to join our dynamic Chicago team.

About The Position

This is a business development and relationship management position that requires a strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills. As a key member of Mattson's Relationship Leaders team, you will identify and cultivate new client relationships, develop proposals, and manage engagements.

Your focus will be on driving growth in the foodservice channel, encompassing commercial and non-commercial operators as well as suppliers to these operators. This position necessitates a deep understanding of the foodservice industry's complexities. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in both San Francisco and Chicago offices, who possess unique expertise in each area of engagement (e.g., customer and consumer insights, culinary, concepting, food technology and development, branding, and design).

Essential Skills and Qualifications

  • Deep personal connections within the foodservice industry
  • A proven track record of success in product/menu innovation
  • The ability to take initiative and work independently
  • A bias toward hands-on involvement and dedication to delivering results
  • Comfort in selling all services individually to clients
  • Skill in delivering world-class client and project management
  • Enthusiasm for leveraging cutting-edge innovation techniques (e.g., Generative AI)

Requirements

  • Business Development: A proven track record of leveraging network and personal outreach to identify and develop new client relationships and write compelling proposals
  • Leadership: Ability to successfully lead client relationships (including comfortably recommending innovation and business strategies to senior foodservice executives) AND internal Mattson teams, coordinating across different Mattson functions and delivering world-class client service
  • Creativity: Demonstrated success in conceiving compelling new product or menu ideas that deliver on client strategy and aspirations, and presenting them persuasively
  • Business Analytics: Ability to view and frame opportunities from a client perspective, e.g., building basic product P&Ls, proactively anticipating and addressing challenges and barriers, identifying potential sources of competitive advantage, etc.
  • Broad Proficiency: Ability to design, sell, and direct work across all of Mattson's practice areas from front-to back-end innovation
  • Foodservice Channel Dynamics: An understanding of culinary, operations, menu, menu innovation, chain operator dynamics, experience with both commercial and non-commercial operators, and a passion for and ability to communicate food trends

About You

  • BA/BS in marketing, business administration, or related field in food science, nutrition, or culinary. Degrees/experience in both areas will set you apart
  • At least 15 years relevant work experience in the food & beverage industry, with the majority in foodservice (i.e., consulting, brand management, sales, innovation, market research, restaurant ops)
  • Flexibility, with personality and collaboration skills necessary to work cross functionally with all departments
  • Excellent communication skills; can present ideas effectively and persuasively
  • Must be able to travel with advance notice

Salary and Benefits

Based on your exceptional skills and qualifications, we are offering a competitive salary ranging from $110,000 to $150,000 per year. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including 401K, health, dental, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and participation in our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), providing you with profit-sharing opportunities. If you're passionate about food and beverage innovation, come work with us at our Chicago innovation center, right in the heart of a great food city.


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