DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Oversee and coordinate the actual distribution or movement of products to customers in assigned region with a focus on maintaining strong relationships with regional customers while identifying new sales opportunities with current and potential customers. Sell value-added protein products to food service and industrial entities within assigned region. Collaborate with Sugar Creek personnel in Sales, FSQA, and Corporate Management to improve sales performance and meet company directives.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Travel to established and potential regional accounts to solicit new and better opportunities.
- Manage the intersection between regional and national sales opportunities, coordinating with National Account Sales Managers as needed to avoid duplicative efforts.
- Attend meetings with category level buyers and other perishable executive meetings.
- Service specific customer accounts as directed by Sales Leadership.
- Search for new opportunities at different food service and retail operators while gaining a better understanding of the customer base to pursue new and better opportunities within existing customers.
- Track customer purchase orders from EDI to delivery.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales reports, using Illuminate and SAP.
- Answer customers’ questions concerning inventory, delivery dates, item specifications, availability, and other replenishment issues as needed.
- Process sample requests and delivery as needed.
- Report to Sales Leadership on the status of accounts and sales goals projections for the assigned region.
- Provide regular reports and updates on lead generation activities and progress to the Senior Director of Sales.
- Monitor and identify market trends, competitors, and potential opportunities to generate new sales leads within the assigned region.
- Schedule high-quality appointments and product demonstrations for our Sales Team with qualified leads.
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
- Collaborate with multifunctional teams, including Research & Development, FSQA, Customer Service, and Operations to grow top line sales.
- Prepare for and participate in various food shows.
- Build and maintain relationships with potential clients through regular follow-ups, providing valuable information, and addressing their inquiries.
- Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Support all safety, food quality and sanitation initiatives and policies.
- Follow SugarCreek safety rules and procedures.
- Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: High School Degree or equivalent (GED) required; Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, or related field preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 2 years of experience in food industry sales (preferably in selling value-added protein products); culinary background is preferred but not required.
CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: None required.
ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED
- Possess substantial knowledge of value-added protein products.
- Possess substantial knowledge of customer replenishment systems.
- Able to read and comprehend printed and electronic information.
- Able to use computers, especially programs like Microsoft Office suite, specifically Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Able to use critical thinking to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems.
- Possesses the skills needed to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
- Possesses the skills needed to communicate with persons inside and outside the organization.
- Possesses the superior organizational skills, including business etiquette and social skills.
- Able to guide oneself with little or no supervision and depend on oneself to get things done.
- Possess basic sales/customer experience.
- Knows sales and marketing strategies.
- Able to use logic and reasoning to weigh production capability, marketing tactics and economical gain.
- Knows principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
No unusual physical requirements. Physical requirements are consistent with typical sales positions, including mostly sitting with some standing/walking required. Other light physical activity like using stairs or occasionally moving items weighing less than 30lbs may be required as needed. Some travel may be required in between plants and/or prospecting new business.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Significant travel is required, estimated to be 50% of the time.
Most work is performed in a comfortable, indoor, office-like facility. Very little work is performed in an indoor, manufacturing facility with close proximity to heavy and hazardous machinery. Safety wear is required, including hard hat, hairnet, hearing protection, safety glasses, protective boots, coats and other necessary equipment when visiting SugarCreek plants. Some work is performed outside the office including meeting with current or potential customers, participating in trade shows, and attending other professional/industry events as required.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
We participate in E-verify. Participamos en E-verify.
Right to Work. Derecho al Trabajo.