Brand Specialist

Brand Specialist, Southeast

About the Role

The Brand Specialist will promote the full Barry Callebaut product portfolio by regularly calling on hotels, resorts, catering, bakeries, chains and all hospitality end users. These are chefs, bakers, and confectioners, including both existing customers and prospective accounts. The role focuses on introducing and demonstrating products, to both the operator and our Distributors who support them, and ensuring customers are familiar with the range available and how those products can support their specific culinary applications.
A key component of the position is building and maintaining strong relationships within the culinary community. The representative will provide technical assistance to customers and prospects when needed, helping them successfully incorporate products into their operations while delivering value-added service that strengthens long-term partnerships throughout the Southern U.S. Large Market Cities. 
The position includes supporting the Gourmet Sales Managers in the Southern Region of the U.S., under the Gourmet Business Unit. The role includes planning and executing activities that build brand loyalty among chefs and culinary professionals, expanding awareness of the product portfolio, and converting businesses to Barry Callebaut brands. Visiting end users and Event planning/execution will be an important responsibility, including coordinating product demonstrations, trade shows, and other culinary events in collaboration with the Sales Managers and our Marketing team. 
The representative will identify and engage with organizations, associations, and companies within the local culinary ecosystem to increase brand visibility and strengthen connections within the industry. Social media engagement is also part of the role, including working with the BC Marketing team to build a following among chefs, highlight market activities, and promote chef partnerships through interviews, product features, and collaborative content.
Additionally, the role involves building relationships with local culinary schools and students to increase awareness of Barry Callebaut products among emerging culinary professionals and encourage early brand familiarity.

Job Responsibilities Include

●    Promote product range (all brands) by calling on chefs, bakers, and confectioners--both current customers and prospects--to familiarize them with products available from Barry Callebaut for their applications. 
●    Customers are within the Hospitality segment throughout multiple states within the Southern Region of the U.S. 
●    Hunt business opportunities within the end user base in support of the Southern Region Sales Managers throughout multiple key cities within the Southern U.S.
●    Provide technical assistance to customers and prospects when needed, while continuing to strengthen the relationship with the customer and provide a value-added service. Relationship building with chefs, bakers, confectioners, and others in the culinary community is an essential part of this job.
●    Support the Distributor and their sales reps, while driving business. Close the sale in partnership with the distributors on the products being promoted. 
●    Plan and facilitate events and trade shows within the major city markets for distributors, vendors and end users in collaboration with the regional Sales Managers.
●    Support the development and implementation of market strategies within assigned region – planning events and execution, building a loyal Chef community, converting businesses to our brands.
●    Event planning and execution - Working with Sales Managers, Chefs and Marketing team to plan city events (dinners, demos, shows, etc.) Engage with the end user base to develop lasting relationships.
●    Database entry of the relationships being built on the street level and sales opportunities in Salesforce. 
●    Look for organizations/companies to be involved with to increase brand awareness.  
●    Social media - active on social media promoting all the market activities, brand awareness and relationship building. 
●    Work with local culinary schools’ students to promote more awareness

Scope: 
●    The role will cover the area of Multiple States throughout the Southern U.S. Region including all cities. Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. 
●    The role will report to Southern U.S. Gourmet Director but have a dotted line to support and work with the (3) Gourmet Sales Manager within this area. 
●    Travel requirements: up to 70%:  roughly 70% of time spent visiting all key cities in throughout the Southern Region working closely with Regional Director to develop rotational calendar. 

About You

●    Culinary background strongly preferred. Chef training with focus on chocolate, confectionery, pastry or desserts
●    Sales experience; calling on chefs, working with and supporting distributors preferred (minimum 2 years preferred)
●    Experience with tradeshows, product presentation, and social media preferred (minimum 2 years preferred)

What you can expect from Barry Callebaut
 
•    Competitive salary, depending on factors such as experience and location, plus annual bonus and our comprehensive benefits package
•    MyFlex PTO (unlimited!) and Paid Holidays
•    Environment that welcomes workplace flexibility and hybrid environment
•    An atmosphere where diversity is embraced, and inclusivity is second nature. We call it #OneBC! Just ask our champions with the Americas Women’s Forum and the Racial Equality Forum!
•    Ability to grow personally and professionally within an organization that values development and internal career growth