Conor O'Neill
Senior Culinary Development Manager
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Results-driven Senior Culinary Development Manager with over 7 years of culinary innovation experience. Proven track record in leading culinary presentations, product demonstrations, and training for top-tier national retailers. Adept at cross-functional collaboration, managing trade shows, and delivering customer-facing experiences that drive sales and product adoption. Committed to leveraging culinary expertise to create impactful marketing strategies, align with business objectives, and foster innovation.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Culinary Development Manager
McCormick & Company
Hunt Valley, Maryland
10.2024 - 01.2025
- Led culinary presentations and product demonstrations for national retailers, supporting sales enablement and product adoption
- Developed and executed recipe marketing strategies to showcase McCormick's product portfolio in customer-facing events and training sessions
- Served as the culinary lead for trade shows and customer events, managing logistics, live cooking demonstrations, and engagement strategies
- Partnered with cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, R&D) to align culinary insights with business objectives, driving product success
- Created training materials and best practices guides for new product launches, ensuring effective communication with internal and external stakeholders
Senior Innovation Chef
Kettle Cuisine
09.2023 - 10.2024
- Directed the creation of custom sous vide products for top retailers, ensuring consistency and regulatory compliance
- Managed successful collaborations leading to product launches at Whole Foods and Walmart, elevating brand recognition and market share
- Orchestrated the development of prepared meals from ideation to market, successfully incorporating premium culinary elements into everyday offerings
- Created training materials and best practices guides for new product launches, ensuring smooth transitions and effective communication across departments
Culinary Product Developer
Freshly
Savage, MD
06.2020 - 02.2023
- Spearheaded product development from concept to commercialization, ensuring alignment with market trends and consumer expectations
- Led the development of innovative prepared meal solutions, collaborating closely with R&D, marketing, and operations teams to ensure high-quality product execution
- Enhanced internal training programs, promoting food safety and quality control standards across the production team
- Played a key role in product testing and troubleshooting, improving overall product quality and customer satisfaction
Sous Chef
Rye Street Tavern
Baltimore, MD
01.2020 - 04.2020
- Developed and implemented fusion menus, appealing to a diverse clientele and elevating the dining experience
- Managed kitchen operations, leading teams to achieve efficiency, safety, and quality in food preparation and service
Research and Development Chef / Lab Tech
Holistic Industries
12.2018 - 12.2019
- Conducted R&D on novel cannabis-based food products, expanding the product portfolio and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations
- Partnered with other departments to bring innovative products to market while ensuring regulatory adherence and streamlined operations
Chef De Partie
Le Bernardin
08.2017 - 10.2018
- Managed food safety protocols and contributed to menu execution at a Michelin-starred restaurant, elevating standards of culinary excellence
- Collaborated closely with chefs to enhance kitchen efficiency and uphold food quality in a high-pressure environment
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Food Studies
Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park 11.2014 - 07.2017
Skills
- Culinary Leadership & Team Management
Proven experience leading culinary teams, driving innovation, and managing cross-functional collaboration to meet business objectives and enhance customer experiences
- Product Development & Menu Creation
Expertise in developing new culinary products, including custom sous vide products and prepared meal solutions, with an eye for innovation and market alignment
- Trade Show & Event Management
Extensive experience leading culinary initiatives at national trade shows and customer events, including logistics, product demonstrations, and customer engagement strategies
- Culinary Training & Education
Developed training materials and best practices guides for internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful product launches and improve culinary operations
- Public Speaking & On-Camera Presence
Outstanding ability to present culinary concepts, demonstrate cooking techniques, and engage large audiences both in person and on camera
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Strong ability to collaborate with marketing, sales, and R&D teams to align culinary insights with product strategy, ensuring consistent messaging and product success
- Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
In-depth knowledge of food safety protocols and regulatory compliance, ensuring safe and efficient operations in culinary and product development processes
- Client & Stakeholder Relationship Management
Expertise in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including national retailers, product developers, and culinary partners, ensuring continued business success
Timeline
Senior Culinary Development Manager
McCormick & Company
10.2024 - 01.2025
Senior Innovation Chef
Kettle Cuisine
09.2023 - 10.2024
Culinary Product Developer
Freshly
06.2020 - 02.2023
Sous Chef
Rye Street Tavern
01.2020 - 04.2020
Research and Development Chef / Lab Tech
Holistic Industries
12.2018 - 12.2019
Chef De Partie
Le Bernardin
08.2017 - 10.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Food Studies
Culinary Institute of America
11.2014 - 07.2017
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