K-12 Sales Specialist (Food Broker)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Designs and implements customized sales strategies, in conjunction with the Director of K12, aimed at their segment of key accounts.
• Works closely with the entire sales force and openly discusses go to market strategies, competitive reconnaissance, successes, and challenges.
• Stays up-to-date and knowledgeable about the operators in their account segment and acts as a resource and solution provider for their customers.
• Maintains an in-depth knowledge of the key distributors in the local market in order to gain buy-in and support to stock and sell distributors' products.
• Understands each of the following for their strategic accounts: menu rotations, population and trends, desired cost structure in each segment of the menu, opportunities to penetrate or convert items, training and education of products, and multiple uses for products.
• Maintains an up-to-date profile folder of each customer; utilizes the CRM system weekly to report on sales call activity, updates and follow-ups, in addition to customer profile management.
• Communicates any changes of usage, positive or negative, as well as changes on who will distribute to the strategic account.
• Provides sales results and updates to manufacturers on an as-needed basis.
• Maintains samples in assigned office.
• Addresses client's quality control issues and communicates the process for resolving issues.
• Participates in visits to key strategic accounts and has a prepared itinerary a week in advance.
• Able to cook food products and put menu combinations together to aid in the sale process.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High School Diploma / GED
• Some college preferred
• 3+ years experience in the food industry sales or operations
• Ability to execute and follow through a sales plan
• A positive, professional, and proactive attitude
• Strong communication skills
• Works well with teams and has strong motivational skills
• Holistic approach to menu planning with multiple brands and manufacturers
• Experts in tracking legislation and selling through regulations that impact district menus
• Culinary support to partner in practical meal planning
• Know-how in leveraging commodity pricing and programs
• Stewards of health and wellness initiatives
• Leaders in supporting hot trends like breakfast, after school meals, summer feeding programs
• Innovative marketing programs and K–12 industry partnerships
• Adept at building trust and credibility
• Planning and organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving and strategic planning skills
• Using the CRM System daily
• Call Reporting in CRM System

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the job
• Work may be performed in an office or warehouse environment
• Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities:
• Stand for extended periods of time, walk, bend, stoop, or climb
• May have possible exposure to dust, and may require the ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds 33% - 66% of the time
• Flexible work hours to accommodate demands of position (some weekends included)
• May require travel daily travel up to 75% of the time within territory
• May require some overnight travel occasionally

The Affinity Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer