Job Description:
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated with a can-do attitude and a result-oriented mindset that can effectively develop partnerships with internal teammates and external partners. This individual must be a self-starter and have strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, along with consumer-packaged goods sales experience in the retail grocery industry with a track-record of success. This position plays a key role in driving profitability and sales growth of the Fresh Cut Division.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Requirements:
- Direct experience with food service sales
- Three to five years in produce sales and or agriculture industries
- In-depth produce industry knowledge and experience
- Ability to make sound decisions and solve problems
- Possess a strong work ethic and be highly motivated, use sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion
- Possess a proven ability to recognize opportunities for business expansion with key customers
- Strong alignment with our values of Quality, Integrity and Hard Work
- Detail oriented and strong organizational skills
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and superior customer service skills
- Computer proficiency especially in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Computer efficiency with various customer management systems, warehouse management systems and inventory control systems
- Experience selling a wide range of produce commodities; including fresh cuts
- Experience cultivating and managing large volumes of profitable customer relationships
- Working knowledge of the P&L with ability to manage a working sales/product budget
- Account level selling experience in the grocery channel including retail customers and wholesalers/distributors
- Knowledge and expertise in understanding grocery/retail industry trends and initiatives
- Preferred locations: Dallas, TX; Southwest Florida; Hendersonville, NC areas
Responsibilities & Duties:
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Sell and market our Fresh Cut line as well as other commodities
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Meet/exceed annual new and existing customer revenue and profit goals for all products
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Maximize sales and distribution of products to targeted customers
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Review existing client base and create a customer review process. Execute and annual calendar of headquarter visits and business reviews with existing and prospective customers
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On-going tracking and improvement of key performance indicators
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Establish senior level contacts, win and manage new customers of strategic importance and ultimately high value to the company
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Make effective sales and marketing program presentations to senior level decision makers
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Manage existing customers within the region to incremental revenue and profit and customer satisfaction
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Meet/exceed annual customer goals
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Position the company, nationally, for profitable growth; address customer and distribution channels; improve existing client base; analyze target customers, pricing, margins, and product lines by customer
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Responsible for recapping the success/failure of key marketing and sales campaigns
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Achieve satisfactory sales, profit and market share performance of products and services to budgeted standards
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Create work schedule and oriented towards achieving sales and customer retention goals
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Create merchandising goals to achieve company’s tactical sales and promotional plans
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Create broker goals to achieve company’s tactical sales and promotional goals
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Perform cold calls and monitor publications for leads to new customers
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Prepare and present proposals for potential new business
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Prepare weekly territory/region CRM report
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Maintain and organically grow current customer base with specialties and fresh cuts
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Present business reviews
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Effectively communicate to new customers on market conditions, seasonal trends
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Aid in an promotional activity (introduce new products, food shows)
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Coordinate and communicate customer concerns with appropriate departments
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Solutions driven
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Manage day to day contact with existing customers, maintaining a constant flow of national products into customer’s facilities
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Strategic planning with key leaders; including prospecting and developing sale strategies that grow volume and returns for each product sold
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Develop rapport with decision makers at key accounts to ensure continued business
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Produce sales and account management to existing and new customers including daily, program and contact accounts
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Maintain consistent communication with industry contacts to understand market pricing, product availability and quality challenges
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Demonstrate a thorough understanding of each customer’s business and work with internal management to develop viable strategies to grow the account
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Establish and build strong working relationships with internal teams such as production, shipping, logistics and accounting to ensure successful customer service to your accounts
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Investigate, track and resolve customer concerns; identify trends and implement solutions
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Retain and grown your assigned key accounts
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Successful candidates will have a proven ability to recognize opportunities for business expansion within key customers
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Ability to tackle problems head-on with tact and professionalism
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Demonstrated past success in a fast, no holds barred sales environment
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Knowledge of fresh-cut products
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Secures new accounts by spending time in the field, obtaining initial and repeat orders, utilizing excellent time management skills relative to planning and organizing daily and weekly work schedules to call on existing or potential customers
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Submits orders taken in person or by fax, phone and email to order entry; double check accuracy of orders and follows up with customers to ensure customer delight
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Keeps management informed by submitting activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, and monthly and annual customer and competitive analysis
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Monitors competition by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, new products and merchandising techniques, etc
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Become a partner with each customer and work together with them to grow their business using a consultative approach
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Recommend changes in products, service and policy by evaluating results and competitive developments
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Resolve customer complaints by investigating problems, developing solutions, preparing reports, making recommendations to management
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Direct Food Service Sales experience working with buyers and distributors
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Self-starter and highly motivated with aggressive sense of time management to move a perishable commodity
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Professionally represent our company with the highest level of integrity while promoting a positive company image inside and outside the organization
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Serves as a role model through actions and behaviors
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Ability to develop and maintain relationships and trust
- Promote a team attitude and synergy within the whole company, our packers and customers
- Proactively and professionally handle day to day sales
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Manage sales order entry functions, maintenance in computer system, and multiple channels of communication
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Track daily inventory levels, product quality, and best channels for distribution to maximize our growers’ returns
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Coordinate with operations relative to volumes, packs and ship-dates
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Manage customer satisfaction by handling customer requests and ensuring great customer service
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Procure transportation needs to deliver the crop most effectively
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Be involved as a ‘traveling sales rep’ to network procurement opportunities for sources of fruit to help maintain a presence in the market place year-round
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Track and analyze customer sales history and purchasing trends
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Provides input as to relevant market information, strategies, visions and goals
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Grow distribution and placement in both new and existing accounts
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New customer development through cold calling and marketing trips where appropriate
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Hold customers accountable to price, volume and date range commitments
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Actively participate in additional company projects and activities
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
