Center of the Plate Specialist

About the role

The COP Specialist will have expertise in proteins and will provide insight on the products to sell to customers.

Responsibilities

• Adapt the process of cultivating and producing sales revenue through the development and growth of new sales and by increasing sales with existing accounts.
• Compile 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.
• Travel throughout assigned territory to call on regular and prospective customers to solicit orders or talk with customers or by phone.
• Display or demonstrate product, using samples or catalog, and emphasize salable features.
• Quote prices and credit terms and prepare sales contracts for orders obtained.
• Estimate date of delivery to customer, based on knowledge of own firm's production and delivery schedules.
• Prepare reports of business transactions and keep expense accounts.
• Work with inside sales representatives to keep account activities and literature up to date.
• Track stock levels.
• Enter new customer data and other sales data for current customers into computer database.
• Develop and maintain relationships with purchasing contacts.
• Investigate and resolve customer problems with deliveries.
• Mentor with senior to obtain institutional knowledge concerning products, processes, and systems.
• Close sales by building rapport with potential account; explaining product and service capabilities; overcoming objections; preparing contracts.
• Expand sales in existing accounts by introducing new products and services.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 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 motivated to take responsibility and ensure successful outcomes.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines with short turnarounds in a fast‑paced working environment.
• College degree desired but not required.
• Experience working as a chef highly desired.
• 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.

Benefits

• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• Health, dental and medical benefits
• Weekly pay
• Life insurance
• 5% above cost for high‑quality food products
• Employee discounts for travel and events
• 401(k)
• Employee stock purchase plan