Specialist, Sales and Marketing (Food Services)

DREAMING OUT LOUD INC•Washington, DC

133d•Hybrid

About The Position

Dreaming Out Loud’s mission is to create economic opportunities for the DC metro region’s marginalized communities through building a healthy, equitable food system. We are rebuilding urban, community-based food systems through cooperative social enterprise: increasing access to healthy food, improving community health, supporting entrepreneurs and cooperatives from low-income communities, and creating opportunities for at-risk residents to earn sustainable, family-supporting wages and build wealth. We believe that all communities deserve equal access to fresh, healthy food choices, but that achieving this requires moving beyond the “access” paradigm to a focus on community self-determination and food sovereignty. Utilizing the food system as a catalyst, we are working to create an integrated pipeline to jobs, economic opportunity, and community wealth-building for our most marginalized communities. Dreaming Out Loud achieves its mission by operating a vertically integrated Food Hub, a suite of creative mission-focused retail programs that include farmers’ markets, produce subscription clubs (CSAs - Community Supported Agriculture), wholesale, value-added products, catering, and our first brick-and-mortar community market with a grocery store and café. Our model is ever-evolving and retail programs are growing rapidly. The Sales and Marketing Specialist drives revenue growth by generating new sales, managing client relationships, and supporting brand and marketing strategies across Dreaming Out Loud’s wholesale, retail, and catering channels. This role blends traditional sales responsibilities, account management, and branded marketing with a strong focus on consumer-packaged goods (CPGs). The Specialist will lead the full sales cycle from lead generation and outreach to proposals and tastings to ensuring excellent customer service and account retention. The Specialist will execute marketing campaigns, product launches, and utilize brand storytelling to elevate DOL’s visibility.

Requirements

3+ years of relevant experience in sales, marketing, account management, or a related field.
2+ years of experience in food service, CPG, catering, hospitality, or distribution.
Strong relationship and customer service skills.
Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and client relationships simultaneously.
Excellent writing and content creation skills.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
Proficiency with CRM tools, sales tracking systems, and Microsoft Office/Google Suite.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and the ability to travel within DC, Maryland, and Virginia for work.
Proven track record of working independently to achieve key results.
Passion for social justice, equity, and working with marginalized communities.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with local food systems, food equity, or community-based food initiatives preferred.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in sales, marketing, business, communications, or a related field a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sales strategies in collaboration with the Food Hub Director.
Manage a portfolio of wholesale, catering, and retail partners, strengthening relationships and ensuring high customer satisfaction.
Identify and pursue new sales opportunities across CPG, food service, institutional buyers, corporate catering, event clients, and community partners.
Conduct site visits, client meetings, and product demos and tastings.
Prepare sales proposals, quotes, catering menus, and service agreements.
Track leads, contacts, and sales activity using DOL’s CRM system.
Respond promptly to inquiries, concerns, or service issues and coordinate resolutions across internal departments.
Support forecasting, reporting, and analysis of sales performance trends.
Assist with marketing calendars, brand campaigns, and promotional initiatives for both CPG products and prepared foods.
Collaborate with the Partnerships and Communications Team to promote seasonal products, new SKUs, special offers, and events.
Write and edit content for email campaigns, social media, print materials, and digital assets.
Maintain brand standards across packaging, signage, outreach materials, and presentations.
Support market research, competitor analysis, and insights on consumer behavior and product performance.
Contribute to product development discussions for value-added and CPG items.
Manage inbound catering inquiries and bookings, conduct client consultations, and maintain a catering sales pipeline.
Generate event proposals, menus, contracts, and timelines.
Enter invoices and track accounts receivable to ensure timely payments.
Coordinate internally with the Culinary and Logistics Teams to ensure smooth event execution.
Attend events as needed to support client relations.
Maintain updated catering sales materials and menu packets.