Sales Representative

Okanagan Specialty Fruits•Chicago, IL

54d•Remote

About The Position

The Sales Representative is responsible for generating new business, managing existing accounts, and building strong customer relationships to achieve sales targets. The ideal candidate is proactive, persuasive, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. By supporting and executing the strategic sales plan, the Sales Representative will drive profitable growth through long-term partnerships and a deep understanding of key account requirements to achieve shared business objectives. Leveraging strong listening and communication skills, along with expertise in category management and supply chain, the Sales Representative will deliver innovative ideas and solutions that create value for business partners. The successful candidate will excel in daily responsibilities within a collaborative, fast-paced team environment while contributing to cross-functional initiatives that support overall business success.

Requirements

4-yr college degree in business, ag-business, ag-marketing or related field.
3-5 years’ experience in produce sales and account management functions, as well as experience in working in a collaborative atmosphere with various departments within the organization.
Strong sales acumen paired with a strategic, holistic approach to category management, sales forecasting, and key account development.
Understanding of value-added produce products.
Develop new business and monitor sales support systems to ensure business retention.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel). CRM software experience highly preferred.
Creative thinking with the ability to resolve problems and conflicts with customers.
Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines with strong attention to detail.
Self-motivated team player with strong interpersonal skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with customers and consumers about our brand.
The ability to leverage past and current professional relationships to further succeed in achieving sales targets.
Ability to travel by air, train, car as situation dictates.

Responsibilities

Identify and pursue new business opportunities through prospecting, cold calling, networking, and referrals.
Lead external communication with assigned key strategic accounts through various means, such as business reviews, joint business planning, score-carding, and forecasting to enhance sales performance and continuous product portfolio growth.
Collaborate with operation and marketing teams to support and deliver retail and foodservice go-to-market strategies, while providing solutions for issues pertinent to business success.
Responsible for, in collaboration with the merchandising and marketing teams building, implementing and executing promotional calendars and other promotional activities, to increase sales movement and generated revenue.
Maintain a thorough working knowledge of all programs and a complete awareness and understanding of the industry as it pertains to competition, markets, products, pricing and trends.
Effectively track in CRM and communicate all follow up customers’ activities for sales team members, assuring the Director of Sales is up to date on status on all activities.
Use a variety of data sources, such as internal sales reports, Nielsen data and market trends to collaboratively develop and suggest avenues for growth with business partners.
Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and various stakeholders, by proactively responding to special requests and proactively managing day-to-day key issues and challenges.
Actively participate in all Sales team meetings and reporting.
Attend relevant sales functions activities, such as exhibits, trade shows, and other events as requested.
Work closely with all internal team members and external customers to ensure high customer satisfaction
Complete other tasks as assigned by supervisor.