Inside Sales Specialist

Produce Careers•Idaho Falls, ID

49d•Onsite

About The Position

We are representing a well-established grower/shipper/packer that is searching for an Inside Sales Specialist to join their team. The Sales Specialist grows sales with assigned retail, foodservice, wholesale, and other accounts; identifies new business opportunities; and coordinates with Sales, Procurement, Operations, Transportation, Quality, and Finance to deliver reliable service while balancing customer needs, product availability, quality, and company profitability.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, agriculture, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Five or more years of produce, food, consumer packaged goods, or business-to-business sales experience preferred; potato and onion industry experience strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of fresh-produce markets, pricing, supply chains, customer service, and account management.
Demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships, negotiate within established authority, resolve problems, and achieve profitable sales goals.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and accurately use company sales, order-entry, reporting, and customer-management systems.
Ability to work effectively across departments, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and maintain professionalism in a fast-paced, seasonal business.
Valid driver's license and ability to meet company requirements for business travel.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned customer accounts, serving as the primary commercial contact and building productive, long-term relationships.
Develop and execute account plans that support revenue, margin, volume, product-mix, service, and market-share goals.
Grow existing business and prospect for and secure new accounts and programs.
Understand customer needs, category strategies, forecasts, promotional calendars, specifications, and service expectations; recommend products and programs that create value for the customer.
Prepare and deliver proposals, sales presentations, bids, pricing recommendations, and business reviews in accordance with company approval requirements.
Monitor daily market conditions, crop and supply factors, pricing, competitive activity, and customer trends; share relevant information and use it to support sound sales decisions.
Coordinate customer programs and orders with internal teams and co-packers, including product availability, specifications, production timing, inventory, transportation, and delivery requirements.
Maintain timely and accurate account, forecast, pricing, activity, and opportunity information in company systems and provide reports as requested.
Proactively address customer service issues, shortages, quality concerns, deductions, claims, past-due balances, and other account matters by coordinating with the appropriate internal teams and following company authorization procedures.
Develop effective working relationships with growers, shippers, co-packers, and other supply partners while respecting established roles, contracts, confidentiality requirements, and approval authority.
Plan and conduct regular customer visits and participate in trade shows, industry events, and other business travel as needed.
Manage business expenses responsibly and comply with approved budgets, pricing authority, credit requirements, food-safety expectations, and company policies.
Collaborate with other sales team members to coordinate mixed-load opportunities, account coverage, and continuity of customer service.
Protect confidential and proprietary information, including customer data, pricing, margins, forecasts, supply information, and business strategies.
Perform other related duties consistent with the position's purpose and business needs.