District Sales Manager

Upper Lakes Foods•Minneapolis, MN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The District Sales Manager will lead the district sales team through active and personal engagement and management of the customer experience. This will be done by promoting products and services through relationship building with new and existing customers. They possess an intimate understanding of Upper Lakes Foods through our competitive advantages for customer initiatives with optimal growth, efficiency, and profitability.Upper Lakes Foods, Inc. is the largest independent, wholesale food distributor in Minnesota, with three facilities located in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN and Janesville, WI. The company specializes in serving foodservice operators such as restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. The mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier, and community by bringing the best products, best people, and best ideas.

Requirements

High school diploma, General Education Development (GED), or equivalent
Strong preference for foodservice specific positions, to include sales management of a winning team.
5 years minimum of successful outside selling experience.
Demonstrate aptitude of selling on value propositions, not price.
Training and development of staff is a strong prerequisite.
Strategic planning requirement for territory and market geography.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record; must maintain per Upper Lakes Foods, Inc’s company vehicle policy.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and proficiency of the following systems: Microsoft Office programs, specifically Excel, Word, and Outlook, as well as the Internet.
Ability to operate basic office equipment, i.e., copy machine and scanner.
Ability to be flexible, to be fair, and to function under pressure.
Great organizational and multi-tasking skills, along with the ability to solve problems.
Must be able to complete a project from beginning to end.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

Active engagement and training with the district sales team and customers weekly
Develop and achieve district budget growth targets through strategic planning, team leadership and performance optimization.
Continued focus to seek out efficiencies by providing solutions within your team.
Utilization of financial support software, such as Track Max Insight
Accounts Receivable focus to ensure results within company guidelines by customer type.
Support and regulation of the sales department expense policy
Coach sales team on techniques and methods, product knowledge, territory, and account management monthly for ongoing education.
Annual or quarterly business reviews conducted with key customers.
Develop business relationships with current customers and key prospects.
Driven focuses on enhancing relationships with our supplier and brokerage partners by identifying new product opportunities, and/or product, packaging, and service changes.
Leadership and organization of all unique district events to include multiple staffing, traveling kitchen, and specialist team support.
Professional representation expected by following our core values of work ethic, attitude, integrity, teamwork, appearance, and respectful interactions.
Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the company, and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge, and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities.
Poses no direct threat to the health or safety of himself/herself, of others, or to property. Defined as a significant risk of substantial harm that cannot be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level by reasonable accommodation.
Requires regular attendance to perform essential element as contained herein between the assigned start and end times for work.
Performs such individual assignments as management may direct.