Craig Lutcza
Hackettstown,NJ
Summary
Visionary culinary and bakery professional with extensive 30-year background in driving success across retail and hospitality sectors
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Bakery & Culinary
Hackettstown, NJ
07.2022 - Current
- Collaborated with clients in retail, hospitality, and wholesale sectors on bakery and culinary innovation.
- Conducted research on industry trends to guide innovative culinary solutions.
- Partnered with culinary and bakery R&D teams for effective product market launches.
- Developed item rollout plans integrating training and marketing strategies.
- Generated detailed reports on product development processes, including cost analysis and nutritional information.
Merchandising Director-Deli, Bakery, Culinary
Village Supermarkets, Inc.
Springfield, NJ
02.2017 - 11.2023
- Directed merchandising strategy for three brands across 40 stores and a central bakery.
- Led team of Corporate Chefs, Bakers, Field Merchants, and Production Managers to achieve operational excellence.
- Developed weekly, seasonal, and holiday merchandising plans to capitalize on sales opportunities.
- Oversaw all innovation phases for new products, from R&D to marketing execution.
- Established pricing strategies that optimized gross profit while ensuring competitiveness.
- Recruited, trained, and mentored staff members to enhance team capabilities.
- Managed quarterly and annual budgeting processes, including financial forecasting and planning.
- Monitored market trends and competitor actions to guide strategic initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Culinary Arts/Foodservice Management
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI05-1997
Skills
- Culinary and bakery innovation
- Market analysis
- Product development
- Cost analysis
- Training programs
- Marketing strategies
Timeline
Consultant
Bakery & Culinary
07.2022 - Current
Merchandising Director-Deli, Bakery, Culinary
Village Supermarkets, Inc.
02.2017 - 11.2023
Bachelor of Science - Culinary Arts/Foodservice Management
Johnson & Wales University
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