Account Specialist - Sales

Overview

Good people, working with good people, for our common good. Sound good? KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

Primary Responsibilities

• Present, sell and execute all promotional activity at a store level or Regional level (if applicable).
• Develop new product presentations and execute item development plan for these new items.
• Develop plans for item placement and off-shelf merchandising for all items on promotion.
• Develop strategy for sell through on any residual product following promotional time periods.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and accountability for all business in assigned territory.
• Aid in planning and executing all Demonstration Events/Programs.
• Work with store level personnel on details of all events including the products to be demonstrated, quantities needed, locations, product education and ensure execution of each event.
• Aid in planning and executing all display programs as designated and developed by the customer both at store level and corporate headquarter level.
• Assemble end-caps, side-caps, kick-out displays, etc. as determined by the Planned Display Program.
• Determine sufficient inventory levels for displays and to achieve minimal residual quantities.
• Maintain activities with new store sets and Wall-to-Wall Resets/Remodels including reviewing item file and communicating authorization issues.
• Coordinate actual reset activity at store level with assigned Merchandising Team.
• Maintain activities with set work for accuracy and on time completion.
• Execute shelf tag integrity so that all items are properly tagged and priced.
• Present and complete all store level surveys as needed by the customer, manufacturer, Divisional & Corporate Offices, etc.
• Provide ongoing product education and expertise to the both the consumer and store level personnel regarding specialty foods items/brands we represent.
• Coordinate and present educational seminars to the store level personnel following as approved by the Account Manager to support new item introductions, trends, holiday events, ethnic cuisine, etc.
• Seek continued product knowledge to become a specialty product “expert”.
• Must be motivated to achieve personal development.
• Identify and communicate new customer opportunities including Kehe Direct within the sales territory that are not current customers, research needs, develop a strategy, design and present a proposal to store management and follow up as needed.
• Monitor and communicate competitive activities and opportunities within assigned sales territory.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

• High School diploma required; Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• 5 + years of strong sales performance in the grocery industry
• 2+ years’ experience with specialty food
• Demonstrated ability and passion to sell in an incentive based environment.
• A true love for sales and a professional mind-set related to new business development.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including some weekend.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with people at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of Products (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability to respond to and effectively handle customer complaints in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to think through and solve issues creatively.
• Possess a sense of urgency and attention to accuracy and detail.
• Talent communicating effectively both orally and in writing with people at all organizational levels.
• Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of tasks simultaneously and often with time conflicting pressures.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and pursue business opportunities without being directed to, acting quickly and decisively when appropriate.
• Ability to approach the business with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Demonstrated willingness to take responsibility for personal actions, decisions and results.