Specialist Fresh Food

Advantage Sales & Marketing dba Advantage Solutions•Tucson, AZ

12d

About The Position

The Specialist Fresh Foods is assigned to a territory of retail locations and serves as a product expert in the proper handling, display, and preparation of client products, primarily in perimeter departments. The role supports the sales team and Key Account Managers by ensuring strong product visibility, proper merchandising, customer satisfaction, and consistent retail execution. The Specialist builds relationships with store department managers and employees and provides training and assistance on product handling and preparation, including the use of store equipment and applicable food-handling guidelines. The position involves visiting grocery and retail stores, monitoring product distribution and presentation, resolving issues where possible, documenting store visits, and reporting business conditions and opportunities. Work may take place in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. Travel and driving are essential, with travel up to 45%. The stated work schedules are 6:00 AM–3:00 PM or 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 2–3 years of experience in retail supermarket fresh departments such as meat, deli, bakery, or produce, or comparable food-service experience in a kitchen environment.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
Ability to travel daily throughout the Tucson territory; travel and driving are essential duties, with travel up to 45%.
Ability to work one of the stated schedules: 6:00 AM–3:00 PM or 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Ability to use mobile applications and technology for work assignments; basic computer skills, including familiarity with Word, Excel, and Internet usage.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and customer-service orientation.
Ability to work independently, prioritize duties with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to develop strategic plans to grow the business.
Ability to perform considerable physical activity, lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, and stand for long periods.
Ability to work in extremely cold conditions, including refrigerated and freezer sections, and to use products or cook food as appropriate for demonstrations.
Ability to follow proper safety practices when handling products and cooking.
May need to have a current state-licensed Food Handlers Certification.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience training, mentoring, and/or coaching.
Retail grocery experience.
Merchandising experience.
Direct Store Delivery (DSD) experience.
Retail Representative or Field Representative experience.
Store reset or retail execution experience.
Experience in produce, meat, deli, bakery, grocery, or related fresh-food departments.
Experience in customer-facing retail environments.

Responsibilities

Visit assigned grocery and retail locations throughout the territory and make store calls to check distribution, tags, out-of-stocks, voids, and other conditions.
Ensure products are properly stocked, faced, tagged, displayed, and merchandised according to client standards; stock products to shelves when needed.
Train or assist store personnel in handling, preparing, and displaying client products, including providing ongoing support as staffing changes occur.
Use preparation and training materials and assist with equipment such as ovens, fryers, slicers, and scales when training or assisting store personnel.
Monitor adherence to food-handling policies and procedures during store visits.
Work with department employees on grand openings, case resets, program rollouts, and seasonal displays, and complete associated checklist paperwork.
Help store personnel return products to shelves during out-of-stock situations, including assisting behind the counter as part of employee training when needed.
Build relationships with Produce Managers, Meat Managers, department employees, and other store leadership.
Use company mobile applications to manage daily assignments and reporting; maintain accurate documentation and completion reporting for store visits.
Identify and communicate in-store opportunities, issues, quality concerns, and competitive insights; report quality issues to supervisors and take communicated corrective steps.
Support customer needs and internal sales initiatives and act as the local point of contact for merchandising and retail execution within the territory.
Participate in client interactions, including retail rides, client meetings, and presentations at headquarters, regional, or local levels.
Provide written or oral reports on the state of business in the territory and participate in discussions about improving market performance.
Support additional customer initiatives and assignments as directed.
Travel and drive as required for the position.