E. Armata Inc is a family-owned, fourth-generation leader in the fresh produce industry, proudly serving the nation since 1893. As one of the largest importers and distributors within the Hunts Point Produce Market, we supply premium fruits and vegetables to retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice operations across the country. Our longstanding reputation is built on integrity, quality, and deep relationships throughout the produce world.
What truly sets E. Armata apart is our family-oriented culture. Although we are a major player in the industry, we operate with the heart and agility of a close-knit business. Our organization is intentionally flat and collaborative, ensuring that every team member’s voice is valued and everyone has visibility into the work that drives our success. Here, people matter—your ideas, your effort, and your growth.
Over the past five years, E. Armata has experienced consistent year-over-year growth, and we’re continuing to evolve at an exciting pace. We are aggressively expanding into new markets and territories, leveraging our unparalleled distribution capabilities to meet rising demand and capture new opportunities. With this expansion comes tremendous potential for our team—career advancement, new responsibilities, and the chance to help shape the future of a company on the rise.
Position Overview
The Food Service Sales Manager will lead our foodservice distribution sales by driving new business development across institutional and commercial foodservice clients. This role requires experience selling to both corporate and independent foodservice operators, including—but not limited to—hospitals, colleges, travel and entertainment venues, restaurant groups, military accounts, and other high-volume customers.
This position is responsible for negotiating contract pricing, securing vendor authorizations, managing forecasts, and helping establish processes to support long-term success. Reporting to the Director of Business Development, the Food Service Sales Manager will work closely with operations, procurement, and buying teams to deliver reliable, high-quality produce solutions from our Hunts Point facility.
We are looking for a strategic, relationship-driven sales leader with deep experience in foodservice who knows how to win large institutional and commercial accounts and can bring (or build) strong partnerships across the industry. If you thrive in a growth environment and want true ownership over a business vertical, this is your opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
- Prospect and secure new business across institutional foodservice channels (K–12, colleges, hospitals, travel, military) and commercial foodservice channels (stadiums, arenas, convention centers, theaters, restaurant groups).
- Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and lead RFP responses and vendor authorization processes.
- Forecast volumes, manage supply commitments, and support profitability planning.
- Build and maintain relationships with decision-makers at corporate foodservice accounts and high-volume independent operators.
- Conduct needs assessments and develop customized produce solutions based on customer requirements.
- Execute sales plans to meet volume, revenue, and gross profit targets.
- Collaborate with procurement, logistics, QA, and operations to ensure product quality, on-time delivery, and food safety compliance.
- Oversee onboarding and implementation for new accounts and support ongoing relationship management.
- Maintain sales pipeline reporting, track KPIs, and provide insights on performance and opportunities.
- Attend trade shows, client meetings, and industry events (up to 40% travel, primarily Northeast).
- Spend up to 60% of time onsite at our Hunts Point facility.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in foodservice or produce sales.
- Proven success securing and managing large institutional or commercial foodservice accounts.
- Experience negotiating contracts, securing vendor approvals, and forecasting for high-volume operators.
- Strong understanding of produce supply chains, seasonality, pricing, and foodservice distribution needs.
- Familiarity with accounts such as Sodexo, Aramark, Compass Group, or similar preferred.
- Strong communication, negotiation, cold-calling, and closing skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Agriculture, Supply Chain, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel required.
- Preferred: Existing Northeast foodservice network; bilingual (Spanish) a plus.
What We Offer
- Competitive Compensation: including base salary + performance-based bonus.
- Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, PTO, and produce perks.
- Career Growth: Opportunity to build and scale a major new division within a stable, family-owned business.
- Work Environment: Fast-paced, modern facility within the iconic Hunts Point Terminal Market, featuring a collaborative, supportive team culture.
Take ownership. Build something meaningful. Grow with us. Apply Now!
Our company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.
This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination.
