K-12 Inside Sales Representative

Upper Lakes Foods•Cloquet, MN

13d

About The Position

The K-12 Inside Sales Representative supports school districts by providing reliable customer service, processing and monitoring orders, coordinating product availability and delivery, and helping customers plan for their needs throughout the school year. The role focuses on building customer and supplier relationships, anticipating needs, resolving problems, and supporting the growth and efficiency of the K-12 business. The representative reviews inventory, order accuracy, special orders, delivery schedules, sales activity, projections, and daily reports. They work with customers and internal teams—including merchandising, the bid department, sales representatives, warehouse and delivery teams—and supplier partners to communicate changes and coordinate solutions. They also identify opportunities for additional products and services, help customers make informed purchasing decisions, and stay informed about food industry developments and K-12 nutrition requirements. School-year planning includes obtaining district menus, entering menu projections into the Target system, reviewing projections biweekly and monthly, maintaining order guides, coordinating deliveries, and planning for summer school. The representative helps prepare for the start and end of the school year by reviewing product availability and projections, updating order guides, gathering discontinued-item lists and required information, identifying new items, and adjusting projections. The position also involves maintaining district and supplier relationships, coordinating samples, supporting recalls, distributing customer rebates, assisting with inventory-reduction initiatives and pricing requests, and providing backup support to teammates. The representative may attend the K-12 Connect Event and industry trade shows as appropriate. Success requires organization, attention to detail, customer service, clear communication, problem-solving, flexibility, teamwork, professionalism, and follow-through. A high school diploma or equivalent and two to four years of customer service experience are required. Previous knowledge of K-12 dietary guidelines is not required, but a willingness to learn is essential.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two to four years of customer service experience.
Strong customer service skills, work ethic, and desire to help others.
Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Effective communication skills and the ability to carry projects through to completion.
Confidence and proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Ability to learn and use systems for orders, projections, and sales reporting.
Flexibility when priorities change and composure under pressure.
Commitment to accuracy, follow-through, teamwork, respect, integrity, and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Previous knowledge of K-12 dietary guidelines is not required; willingness to learn through webinars, training opportunities, vendor events, and other educational resources is essential.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain positive relationships with school district customers and supplier partners.
Process and monitor orders, including checking accuracy, inventory levels, special orders, and delivery schedules.
Use XRS, Target, and TrackMax to manage projections, sales activity, and customer service needs.
Review daily reports on fill rates, outs and substitutions, end-of-day activity, and special-order inventory, and proactively address concerns.
Coordinate with customers, merchandising, the bid department, sales representatives, warehouse and delivery teams, and suppliers.
Communicate inventory changes, product availability issues, shifts in purchasing patterns, and possible solutions.
Identify opportunities for additional products and services and support customer purchasing decisions, profitability, and business growth.
Obtain school district menus, enter menu projections into Target, and review projections biweekly and monthly.
Maintain district order guides, coordinate delivery schedules, and plan for summer school needs.
Prepare for the beginning and end of the school year by reviewing projections and availability, updating order guides, gathering discontinued-item lists and required information, identifying new items, and adjusting projections.
Coordinate product samples, support recall activities, distribute customer rebates, and assist with inventory-reduction initiatives.
Work with the bid department to ensure district pricing is entered accurately and assist with special requests.
Provide backup support to teammates when needed.
Represent Upper Lakes Foods at the K-12 Connect Event and industry trade shows as appropriate.
Stay informed about food industry developments and K-12 nutrition requirements and pursue learning through educational resources.
Manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, communicate clearly, and carry projects through to completion.