Foodservice Distribution Territory Manager

Gourmet Foods International•Decatur, GA

20d•$90,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Gourmet Foods International is seeking a motivated professional with a passion for artisan food to help grow the business through customer care, sales, and relationship building. The Foodservice Distribution Territory Manager is responsible for sales activities in assigned accounts and regions and for managing product-delivery quality and consistency. The role presents and sells specialty food items to distributors nationwide, manages existing customers, prospects new customers, and cultivates relationships with artisan manufacturers to bring new products to the customer base. The position involves independently managing a daily schedule, regularly visiting customers, arranging product demonstrations, discussing solutions, and closing sales. The manager also participates in company events, marketing activities, trade shows, classes, and product tastings. Compensation includes salary, commission, bonuses, and sales incentives. The role is based at GFI Atlanta in Decatur, Georgia, with travel up to 50%.

Requirements

3–5 years of sales experience with a food distributor.
Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and a passion for artisanal specialty foods.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Valid state driver’s license.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
Ability to meet the scheduling requirements of the position, which may include days, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and travel, depending on role and business needs.

Nice To Haves

Additional culinary experience.
College degree; preferred but not required.
Detail-oriented approach.
Analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.
Experience working with large, complex, multi-location clients.
Strong planning skills.
Ability to recognize future trends.

Responsibilities

Present and sell artisanal and specialty food items to distributors nationwide.
Manage sales activities in assigned accounts and regions, including inherited customers and new prospects.
Manage the quality and consistency of product delivery.
Cultivate relationships with artisan manufacturers to identify specialty products for the customer base.
Manage a daily schedule and pursue customer and prospect interactions to generate and grow sales.
Identify and resolve client concerns.
Invite clients to company events and communicate new technologies and online ordering platforms.
Participate in marketing events, including cheese seminars, pastry classes, trade shows, and tasting and pairing events.
Participate in specialty food product tastings to help determine which items to stock.
Conduct outside sales visits to build customer relationships and understand customer needs.
Schedule and manage customer visits to present product demonstrations, discuss solutions, and close sales.