Food Sales Associate

Position Summary:As a key member of our rapidly growing organization, The Gourmet Food Sales Associate ultimately acts as the face of our company by delivering outstanding customer service and building strong relationships. He or she will be responsible for selling products for distributor to restaurants and caterers, hotels and retail, establishments, or individuals at place of business by performing the following duties.

What you’ll do:

• Sales Associates will adapt the process of cultivating and producing sales revenue through the development and growth of new sales and by increasing sales with existing accounts.
• Compiles lists of prospective customers for use as sales leads, based on information from newspapers, business directories, industry ads, trade shows, Internet Web sites, and other sources.
• Travels throughout assigned territory to call on regular and prospective customers to solicit orders or talks with customers or by phone.
• Displays or demonstrates product, using samples or catalog, and emphasizes salable features.
• Quotes prices and credit terms and prepares sales contracts for orders obtained.
• Estimates date of delivery to customer, based on knowledge of own firm's production and delivery schedules.
• Prepares reports of business transactions and keeps expense accounts.
• Works with inside sales representatives to keep account activities and literature up to date.
• Tracks stock levels.
• Enters new customer data and other sales data for current customers into computer database.
• Develops and maintains relationships with purchasing contacts.
• Investigates and resolves customer problems with deliveries.
• Mentors with Senior to obtain institutional knowledge concerning products, processes and systems.
• Closes sales by building rapport with potential account; explaining product and service capabilities; overcoming objections; preparing contracts.
• Expands sales in existing accounts by introducing new products and services.

About you:

• Degree in Culinary Arts or related field.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in sales function.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in food distribution.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.
• One to two years of related experience in restaurant, food sales, or professional catering
• High energy and enthusiastic
• Candidates must live in the assigned geographic sales area.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects and initiatives.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects.
• Self-starter. Must ask questions and learn new skills quickly on the job.
• Driven, team player that is motivated to take responsibility and ensure successful outcomes across activates.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines with short turnarounds in a fast-paced working environment.
• College Degree desired but not required.
• Past experience working as a Chef highly desired.
• High Energy and enthusiastic