Sales Specialist II - Food

About the Role

Our Food Sales Specialist will support the Field Sales organization in growing and closing profitable sales at food processing customers. This role provides expertise in increasing sales with new and existing customers by creating value through custom food packaging solutions, finding cost savings, and improving packaging processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical sales support to ensure direct food contact packaging products meet customer application fitness for use requirements, before and after the sale.
• Actively participate in food segment sales pipeline reviews with Sales Managers and Sales Representatives to achieve revenue, margin, and profitability performance objectives.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for direct food contact (DFC) packaging opportunities, supporting sales and marketing teams.
• Schedule and lead monthly food "cohort" calls with the commercial infrastructure within the assigned region to educate the sales team and provide sales tools on key growth product categories.
• Identify suppliers, focusing on preferred suppliers, to support current and new DFC packaging opportunities and collaborate with the Veritiv Category Management team.
• Proactively drive growth activities with the regional sales team (RVP, Sales Manager, and Sales Rep) to increase share of wallet within current DFC customers and develop new business within identified sub-verticals.
• Work with Veritiv Corporate Accounts Managers to execute against provided and newly identified DFC opportunities at the plant level.

Requirements

• Experience working across the entire food industry value chain, including business-to-business sales.
• Proven track record in sales and new client generation in the food industry, with a high-level understanding of flexible and rigid direct food contact packaging materials, associated OEM equipment, and interaction through FFS/FS equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of food packaging technologies, including:
  • Blown, injection molded, and thermoformed rigid products.
  • Blown, cast, laminated, coated film roll stock and various bag and pouch formats.
  • Roto, flexo, and digital printing decorating technologies.
• Up to 50% travel is required.
• 10-15 years of related job experience.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure, and adapt to sudden changes in the work environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, people, and diplomacy skills.
• Experience providing leadership regarding work-related systems, processes, and challenges.
• Experience interpreting strategy and policy to set and deliver objectives.
• Experience planning, managing, and organizing resources within short/medium timescales.
• Experience with Salesforce.com or other CRM is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong customer service, planning, and organization skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Physical Requirements

• A significant portion of the job involves computer work, including continuous use of fingers, hands, wrists, and sitting for long periods.
• Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds.
• Work in an office and travel to customers, suppliers, and group meetings.

Benefits

• Engaging and inclusive culture with employee-led Employee Resource Groups, Veritiv Cultural Alliance, and recognition platform.
• Extensive training opportunities, professional development programs, career pathing, and mentorship.
• Collaborative atmosphere with customers and suppliers to create healthier, safer, and more sustainable communities.
• Healthcare benefits (medical, dental, vision, and health savings account), life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• 401k, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, and other fringe benefits.

About Veritiv

Together with its subsidiaries, Veritiv is the leading full-service provider of packaging solutions. Veritiv also provides JanSan, hygiene, print, and publishing products and services. Veritiv serves customers in a wide range of industries through team members worldwide, helping shape the success of its customers.