Brand Ambassador / Pizza Specialist

The Brand Ambassador / Pizza Specialist works closely with the Executive Chef and Chef De Cuisine to manage the overall operations of the Middleby innovation show kitchen located in Lewisville, Texas. The show kitchen operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, plus some after-hour events. Key aspects of this position include participation in equipment and cooking demonstrations, social media programs, all private dining events of various sizes and responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the facility; for example, stocking the kitchen, maintenance issues, equipment service issues, subcontractor work (cleaning services), etc. 

Quality and Excellence: 

These qualities are measured and evaluated through the superior execution of scheduled weekly events and the delivery of a “5-Star Experience” for all groups of Middleby guests, employees, or other VIPs. 

The “5 Star Experience” exceeds customer expectations through routinely excellent performance with regard to planning/organization, creativity, hospitality/customer service, equipment knowledge, cleanliness and food safety, cooking proficiency, effective demonstration delivery, precise timing and problem solving.

Essential Functions

• Represent all of Middleby’s brands as a hospitable, knowledgeable and professional Global Culinary Ambassador 
• Learn all Middleby’s equipment and how to sell each brand and its technology – from Combi’s to IoT
• Cooks and manages the food storage aspect of the MIK
• Effectively present and demonstrate Middleby’s commercial products credibly through knowledgeable and on-trend cooking demonstrations and presentations
• Confidently present a :30 to :60-minute cooking demonstration for each brand
• Able to provide group tours of the Middleby Innovation Kitchen’s that best represents the brands and Middleby Corporation
• Executes all events within corporate budgetary guidelines
• Learn and assist with IT tasks within Show Kitchen. Live streaming presentation, AV, and light controls, for example
• Manages the upkeep, cleaning and maintenance of assets, equipment and facilities
• Coordinates with the Executive Chef and Middleby marketing department to provide a substantial, continuous and comprehensive social media presence
• Requisitions and receives supplies and maintains appropriate inventory levels for actual business volume
• Develops and curates standard corporate recipe files
• Coordinates relationships with food manufacturers, food distribution companies, and foodservice consultants to assist and participate in demonstrations at the facility
• Any additional duties as assigned

• Be able to execute different styles of pizza in non-conventional cooking platforms. IE bake Chicago Deep Dish in a Conveyor Oven
• Be familiar with pizza dough as a whole with regards to its ingredients and how it can affect the dough. How can this work to our advantage when using different cooking platforms?
• Have an excellent understanding of all the pizza ovens available from Middleby, how they operate, cleaning, features and benefits
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the Pizza Vignette as well as associated utensils and ingredients
• Participate in regional/national/international pizza events to best represent Middleby and further your knowledge of pizza trends
• Work with Middleby Brands to offer feedback, critique, recommendations on how the equipment is operating and ideas for improvement and design of new equipment

Education and Experience Requirements

• Associates degree in a related field and/or culinary training certification from an accredited institution required
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Know the history of pizza from Italy to North America and how it relates to the equipment we sell today
• Possess the ability to produce the following regional pizzas: New York, Grandmas, Detroit, New Haven (Coal), Chicago Deep Dish, Napoletana, Chicago Thin, Cracker Crust, and Roman Style
• Know how these pies were originally baked and how that can translate to automation today using a variety of cooking platforms
• Be familiar with pizza trends in the industry, new concepts, and chain pizza developments
• Ability to read and accurately interpret documents such as P&L statements, schedules, vendor invoices, and procedure manuals
• Ability to prepare routine reports and correspondence, and to summarize findings from investigations
• Strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to present confidently before customers, industry partners, department executives, senior management, and employees
• Proficient in performing mathematical operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals
• Ability to calculate financial figures and amounts such as accruals, commissions, proportions, and percentages
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related software programs
• Technologically proficient, with demonstrated competence using multiple social media platforms
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to execute instructions delivered in written, oral, or diagram form
• Skilled in handling and resolving employee-related issues with professionalism and discretion
• Strong team-building and coordination skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple priorities, and work independently
• Committed to continuous improvement and professional development
• Reliable and punctual; consistently meets company attendance standards
• Maintains a polished, professional demeanor at all times, including personal presentation and grooming
• Recognizes the different segments of our Industry. Ie C-store, Commissary, QSR, Fast Casual, Fine Dining, Event Space