Produce Specialist

Sysco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

This is a professional sales position responsible for growing new business within the fresh produce category, with the expectation of achieving assigned business goals while enhancing the customer experience. This will be accomplished through maintaining industry and category specific certification status and direct selling of the category to customers. Specialists will prioritize time, targets, and Total Team Selling efforts based on market insights and data analytics. Specialists are responsible for building customer loyalty that will grow market share: assessing customer needs to recommend the best service model: Broadline, Specialty, or a hybrid service, without favoring one channel over another. As noted in Sysco’s Leadership Framework; On-target performance includes exhibiting the following framework components; Core Qualities, Shaping the Future, and Delivering Business Results.

Requirements

Minimum: High School Diploma or GED and 3+ years of sales experience within a retail, broker, wholesale or distribution environment (deep technical expertise of produce categories)
Proficiency in produce knowledge and trends required (Internal Certification & External Certification may be required)
Analytical problem-solving skills, including familiarity with analyzing reports and deriving insights from data
Ability to express information in terms of profit and loss, food cost and expense ratio
Strong financial acumen and ability to properly plan and execute business plans
Flexible; readily accepts change; open to new ideas
Track record of success in the area of consultative selling, networking and negotiations
Proficient communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work with and influence a variety of key stakeholders
Experience building trust with prospective customers and securing new business
Strong business and restaurant operations acumen to manage sophisticated customers
Ability to learn the use of proprietary CRM tools for planning and forecasting sales growth
Proficient in Microsoft Applications Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to structure a weekly schedule to be successful
Demonstrated ability to deliver against deadlines and produce high-quality results (accuracy, thoroughness in the deliverables they are producing)
Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple initiatives at the same time
Understanding of marketing principles, product lines, ordering procedures and Sysco’s credit terms

Nice To Haves

Preferred: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent educational level

Responsibilities

Develop and execute targeted produce sales strategies to achieve region and individual annual total team selling business goals, delivering profitable sales growth and penetration across the fresh produce category, specialty segments, and Sysco brand
Identify the needs of customers and prospects to assemble a product mix that delivers solutions and helps achieve business objectives
Utilize data analytics to prioritize produce opportunities
Actively seek, qualify, and support top prospect conversion to Sysco
Be informed of market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales; share information with customers as part of value-added services provided
Track activities and results, collaborate on opportunities, and champion the team selling process through use of Salesforce (Sysco’s CRM tool)
Leverage sampling in a solutions-oriented manner to close sales
Provide feedback to specialty companies and merchandising on product quality, product integrity, product mix, customer satisfaction, perceived value and competition
Develop and maintain relationships with customers, chefs and sales team members
Support execution of prioritized sales strategies through direct selling and engagement of customers and prospects at Sysco events (e.g. food shows, industry events)
Collaborate with Sysco Specialty companies to grow market share, focusing on results rather than a specific delivery channel.
Assess customer needs and recommend the best service model — Broadline, Specialty, or hybrid — without favoring one approach.
Leverage market insights and data to guide sales efforts and identify key targets.
Foster strong, lasting customer relationships and collaborate across company teams to enhance loyalty.
Stay current on Broadline and Specialty offerings, produce assortments, pricing, and go to market strategies.
Communicate evolving customer needs to merchandising teams.