Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Previous Work History
Timeline
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Jason Triail

Orange,California

Summary

Energetic Level 5 Leader, who builds high performing teams that deliver returns on strategic capital investments, while driving measurable improvements in scalable operations. 37 year Culinary and Operations veteran from multi-unit restaurant concepts to commissary kitchens, and food manufacturing. Innovator of the Meal Kit Industry taking vision to reality as well in frozen food. Food Network Competitor: did not come in first, but did not come in last...it was a blast!!

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of New Product Development

FreshRealm
San Clemente, CA
05.2022 - Current
  • Retail and D2C brand for fresh and frozen ready to heat, ready to cook, single serve, family, and meal kits products
  • Directed the NPD team on new product development for existing and new customers in retail and D2C channels
  • Created the NPD management platform for all products
  • Orchestrated market research to ensure competitive viable products
  • Created tools to achieve contributed margins within the development
  • Maintained a close liaison with Supply Chain, Finance, Quality Assurance, Commercialization, Sales and Marketing
  • Presented new product development to the board and enhanced existing products

Vice President of Culinary and Innovation

Cadence Kitchen - Cryogenic Frozen Retail Products
Corona, ca
10.2018 - 05.2022
  • 2021 $40MM | 2020 $20MM | 2019 $25MM | 2018 $22MM retail and food service sales using liquid nitrogen to create restaurant quality frozen foods and food service solutions
  • USDA, FDA, Organic and SQF Level 2 certified facilities
  • Established short and long term strategies aligning with the company's core values and mission
  • Elevated the commercialization process resulting in cross department viability
  • Created the project management platform for all new launches
  • Introduced new vendors to increase financial gains
  • Strategically contributed to increasing production yields resulting in driving costs down and increasing profit
  • Critical role in Sales Team increasing revenue since 2018
  • Personally introduced $220k new business accounts since 2019
  • Created monthly Marketing assets for social media and website
  • Developed Ambassador Tasting Program
  • Developed over 140 new products in multi national retail brands

Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Officer

Chef'd - The One and Only Meal Kit Store
El Segundo, CA
11.2013 - 07.2018
  • 2017 $40MM sales ($160MM valuation) | 2016 $12MM sales ($40MM valuation) | 2015 $4MM sales
  • Instrumental with closing the investment of $25MM from Smithfield and $10MM from Campbell's Foods
  • Project managed the opening of facilities on opposite coasts
  • Effectively led the Culinary, Supply Chain, Media, Operations and QA Department - 53 direct reports, 500 team members
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors without sacrificing quality
  • Created over 2,000 recipes through e-commerce channel and retail
  • Streamlined Operations on two coasts which optimized production and overall UX
  • Established KPI's resulting in lowering labor and product costs while increasing efficiencies
  • Reduced food and packaging waste from 9% down to 3%

Senior Director of Kitchen Operations

My Fit Foods
Costa Mesa, CA
07.2013 - 02.2014
  • Directed 14 commissary kitchens and 75 retail outlets in Texas, Chicago, Arizona and California - $90MM annual sales
  • Implemented new inventory structure resulting in accurate food cost and efficiency for in store and corporate execution
  • Streamlined Operations company wide by implementing an effective training program with revised SOP's resulting in reducing labor and lowering COGS
  • Liaison with Supply Chain and QA Department ensuring highest product quality
  • Successfully opened new retail stores and commissary kitchen in Costa Mesa, CA.

Executive Chef, Multi-Unit Training Manager

Yard House Restaurants Group
Irvine, CA
12.2007 - 07.2013
  • Supported the growth for the acquisition by Darden Restaurant
  • Trained over 500+ managers in 5 Training Locations
  • Strategically worked with Executive Team resulting in better service and P&l
  • Elevated training program which improved the development of team members
  • Responsible for leading Irvine YH scratch kitchen while simultaneously driving the MIT program - $18MM annual sales
  • Effectively responsible for supporting new product and packaging testing
  • Elevated operations with increased efficiencies and reducing food cost

Education

Skills

  • Culinary Innovation
  • Research & Development
  • Budgeting & P&L Management
  • Inventory & Purchasing
  • Problem Resolution
  • Operations and Process Improvement
  • Facility Design
  • Training & Development

Affiliations

  • ERP System: Oracle NetSuite | WMS System: Ozlink
  • Computer Skills: Smartsheet, Adobe In Design, Microsoft Office
  • Farmingdale State College, Accounting and Business/Management

Previous Work History

  • Jason Triail Culinary Consultant Services, 194109
  • Share Our Strength Charity Events and others
  • Worked in a broad and diverse restaurant groups from New York and California
  • Trained by reputable award-winning Executive Chefs
  • Began career at age 12 | Achieved Executive/Corporate Chef position at age 20

Timeline

Director of New Product Development

FreshRealm
05.2022 - Current

Vice President of Culinary and Innovation

Cadence Kitchen - Cryogenic Frozen Retail Products
10.2018 - 05.2022

Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Officer

Chef'd - The One and Only Meal Kit Store
11.2013 - 07.2018

Senior Director of Kitchen Operations

My Fit Foods
07.2013 - 02.2014

Executive Chef, Multi-Unit Training Manager

Yard House Restaurants Group
12.2007 - 07.2013

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