K-12 Specialist

Affinity Group • Portland, OR

1d • Remote

About The Position

This position's primary responsibility is to conduct in-person appointments to sell and market products to all school distributors and school districts. It also includes working on coding and recapping of school bids with the Bid Manager so that pertinent information can be obtained from the manufacturers. The position works with and educates other Affinity Group West sales representatives about the K-12 school products. The K-12 Specialist is responsible for inputting all daily activity into CRM and planning against all top priority customers and manufacturers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in related field or equivalent is preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience preferably with a food sales and marketing agency, along with food service management in K-12, or with a national food manufacturer.
• Keeps business strategy, pricing, data and issues confidential as required by AG, manufacturer and operator.
• Outstanding time management skills; savvy in prioritizing competing priorities even while traveling from location to location.
• SMART goals executed weekly, monthly, and annually.
• Strong skill set in explaining and defining information, issues about many topics to anyone.
• Comfortable communicating in person, in writing (professionally, no typos), and on the phone.
• Incredibly well-developed listening skills to provide solutions to district customers and manufacturers.
• Self-motivated and driven to succeed; take initiative in managing your sales territory.
• Volunteer for new challenges without waiting to be asked.
• Take ownership of the time you spend with operators and Affinity Group clients and make a difference as their business partner.
• High emotional intelligence; establish key partner relationships to develop and nurture business success.
• Proven ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding.
• A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and a flexible schedule.
• Clean driving record and the ability to use your vehicle.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (required).
• Proficiency in CRM systems.
• Ability to effectively use virtual presentation tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other cloud-based solutions.
• Team Player Attitude; understanding and promoting team dynamic mentality.
• Operating with a focus on positive interactions for the team, not only good for the individual.
• Help team members succeed by following best practices and sharing opportunities for growth with the team.
• Peer mentoring in K12 sales practices and knowledge transfer to team members.
• Build effective long-term professional interactions with others based on trust.
• Enhance mutual understanding in communicating with others by expressing genuine interest in, and providing full attention to, the content and meaning of others’ messages.
• Driven by an underlying curiosity and desire to know more about things, people, or issues.
• Effective in persuading, convincing, influencing, or impressing others in order to get them to support a specific agenda, make a specific type of impression, or take a specific course of action.
• Identify key bargaining points for all parties and work effectively toward win-win solutions.
• Able to deal effectively with pressure, maintain focus and intensity, and remain optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.
• Ability and propensity to recover quickly from setbacks, rejections, and conflicts and to maintain self-control in the face of hostility or provocation.
• Gather and accurately assess information related to the organization’s formal and informal communication channels and power relationships.
• Focus on completing all work tasks in a timely manner while remaining responsive enough to react to competing demands and shifting priorities.
• Able to manage multiple responsibilities while being organized, keeping on top of important time-sensitive tasks, and performing all work accurately.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to stand for extended periods during the food trade show season.
• Ability to safely lift case goods (up to 50lbs.) during the food trade show season.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule in-person sales calls with key business planning customers using CRM, ensuring weekly and trimester call and presentation goals are achieved.
• Conduct field sales activities, including customer appointments, taste testing events, and food shows at district and state SNA levels.
• Monitor and respond to emails and voicemails daily, ensuring all customer and operator inquiries are addressed within 48 hours.
• Conduct timely follow-up calls with customers and sales leads to maintain engagement and drive sales opportunities.
• Analyze school bids and develop customized, strategic presentations for school district decision-makers that align with bid requirements and showcase company products.
• Build and maintain strong relationships within the K-12 school segment, including school districts and distribution partners, to drive ongoing sales growth.
• Continuously expand knowledge of the K-12 segment, including market trends, product offerings, and customer needs.
• Attend industry events, trade shows, and meetings as directed by K-12 leadership and sales management to strengthen market presence and expertise.
• Input all daily activity into CRM.
• Plan against all top priority customers and manufacturers.
• Educate other Affinity Group West sales representatives about K-12 school products.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer
• Celebrate diversity
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all employees
• Do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level