Head Chocolatier - Lifestyle Brand

Apply here or get in touch at:

View email address on culinaryagents.com

Head Chocolatier

New York City | $90,000–$130,000 + Performance Bonus + Equity

Build something people will talk about.

Some careers are built by joining great companies.

Others are built by helping create one.

The founder is extremely focused on creating a culture from the foundation and is hiring for this key role at the pre-launch to be completely involved with the decision-making and the foundation of the company's culture.

We're partnering with one of the most exciting hospitality and luxury food startups preparing to launch in New York City. Although we're keeping the company confidential for now, what we can share is that this is an exceptionally well-funded venture with ambitious long-term plans and an uncompromising commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and storytelling.

The founders aren't simply creating another retail concept. They're building a lifestyle brand centered around discovery, exceptional products, unforgettable hospitality, and beautifully curated experiences. Every product, every interaction, and every detail is being designed with intention.

Chocolate will be one of the brand's defining categories.

We're looking for a visionary Head Chocolatier who wants to own that vision from day one.

This is far more than a production role. You'll be responsible for creating the entire chocolate identity of the company—from developing signature collections and seasonal releases to sourcing remarkable cacao from around the world, building long-term relationships with producers, selecting ingredients that reflect the highest standards, and establishing the production philosophy that will define the brand for years to come.

You'll have the opportunity to experiment, refine, and innovate continuously. Whether you're developing an entirely new bonbon collection, creating limited-edition collaborations, curating luxurious gift assortments, or introducing exciting seasonal flavors, you'll have the creative freedom to bring your ideas to life without layers of corporate approvals slowing you down.

Just as importantly, you'll work alongside an extraordinary team of culinary professionals to create thoughtful pairing experiences across multiple categories. Imagine developing a chocolate specifically designed to elevate an exceptional coffee, complement a remarkable tea, or perfectly accompany a memorable beverage experience. The goal isn't simply making beautiful chocolate—it's creating moments guests remember.

The founders also believe today's luxury brands are built on transparency and personality. They want customers to know the people behind the products. If you enjoy sharing your passion, you'll have opportunities to participate in tastings, special events, educational experiences, media appearances, and digital storytelling. You'll become one of the faces of the brand, inviting customers behind the scenes to experience the craft, sourcing journeys, production process, and philosophy that make your work unique.

Because this company is still being built, you'll have a level of influence that's almost impossible to find elsewhere. You'll work directly with ownership on major business decisions, future product categories, operational strategy, hiring, equipment investments, and long-term growth. This is a genuine leadership position where your expertise extends well beyond the kitchen.

We're looking for someone with several years of professional chocolatier experience who possesses a deep understanding of cacao origins, sourcing, flavor development, production techniques, tempering, formulation, and quality control. Formal pastry or confectionery training is certainly valued, but just as important is genuine curiosity, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Experience working with premium ingredients, luxury hospitality, fine food brands, or artisan producers would be highly regarded, as would existing relationships within the chocolate community or experience building products from concept to launch.

Above all, we're searching for someone who cares deeply about craftsmanship. Someone who obsesses over details most people never notice. Someone who believes that exceptional products tell stories—and wants to help write the first chapter of an extraordinary company.

Building a modern brand requires earning and keeping consumer attention. Our strategy is centered on an intentional brand flywheel built across five key pillars: distinctive physical stores, a premium e-commerce experience, authentic social media engagement through tastemakers, broad CPG distribution, and B2B sales opportunities through gifting and events.

At the heart of the brand is a clear operating philosophy. We aim to delight customers, colleagues, and partners through integrity, kindness, humility, and pragmatism. We hold a high bar for excellence, craftsmanship, and thoughtful execution while staying collaborative, accountable, and action-oriented. We operate as one team, take ownership of outcomes, embrace experimentation, and use reflection and feedback as tools for continuous improvement.

We are offering a competitive salary between $90,000 and $130,000 , depending on experience, together with performance bonuses, equity for the right individual, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and something that's becoming increasingly rare: a true seat at the table. Your ideas won't disappear into layers of management—they'll directly influence the future of the business.

If you've been waiting for the opportunity to build a brand instead of simply working for one, we'd love to introduce you to what's next.

Apply here or get in touch at:

View email address on culinaryagents.com