Ingredient Sales Representative

The Morning Star Company • Los Banos, CA

1d • $70,500 - $80,000

About The Position

The Ingredient Sales Representative’s mission is to serve as a full-service tomato ingredient supplier, providing superior services and supply-chain solutions to identify new sales opportunities and market information through cold calling and prospecting, with the goal of selling to specialty and geographically unique customers. The role involves identifying and prospecting new business, analyzing market factors, understanding the market, and building relationships that create opportunities to sell. The colleague works with sales, marketing, transportation, and logistics colleagues, while also working effectively and independently.

The position covers sales, marketing, sales and marketing planning, strategic initiatives, branding and communications, financial process improvement, and administration. Responsibilities include selling products, managing contracts and sales communications, maintaining customer records, supporting marketing and sales strategies, coordinating customer responsible-sourcing audits, and contributing to planning and performance reporting. The role also includes hiring, training, organizing, and onboarding colleagues, and developing a strong understanding of the industry, company, products, capabilities, and customers.

This is an exempt salaried position with no set hours. The general schedule is 40–50 hours per week, or as needed, with up to 20% travel. Some work events may take place on weekends. The starting salary is $70,500–$80,000 annually, depending on qualifications.

Requirements

• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for conflict resolution.
• Fluency in English and effective written and verbal communication.
• Enjoys customer interaction.
• Quick learner.
• Strong work ethic.
• Adapts quickly to change.
• Works well under pressure.
• Honest, forthright, and trustworthy; not political.
• Persistent in achieving results while patient.
• Able to thrive in an active, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Sell tomato ingredient products and qualify, persuade, and contract with prospective customers.
• Conduct cold calling and prospecting to identify new business and sales opportunities.
• Gather market information and analyze market factors.
• Manage contracts and develop or revise sales strategies.
• Prepare monthly customer contract reconciliation reports.
• Manage, coordinate, and track sales communications and marketing tools.
• Maintain and manage the customer database.
• Participate in weekly sales meetings and ad hoc workshops.
• Coordinate and manage customer responsible-sourcing audits.
• Provide tactical and creative marketing input, including input on point-of-sale materials and periodicals.
• Develop familiarity with enterprise finances, agricultural supply chains, production capabilities, and economics.
• Assist with defining sales strategy and the organizational structure, training, materials, and processes needed to implement and monitor it.
• Assist with identifying staffing needs, including direct sales, brokers, and customer service.
• Contribute to marketing initiatives and strategic plans, annual pack plan strategy, and review of marketing and sales performance reporting.
• Support the Morning Star Tomato Kitchens sales thrust.
• Develop and execute a marketing strategy for each product, service, and operation.
• Develop and maintain Morning Star’s brand identity and message, and communicate it across enterprises.
• Participate in strategic planning and business-unit January review and preparation meetings.
• Hire full-time colleagues and acquire, train, and organize additional colleagues as required.
• Onboard new colleagues.
• Develop a solid understanding of the industry, company, products, capabilities, and customers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision health plan, with the company paying the full monthly premiums for the colleague and eligible family members.
• Company contributions to colleagues’ Health Savings Accounts.
• 401(k) plan with a 4% company match for year-round colleagues.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed