Sales Account Associate Jobs

Job Purpose/Summary:

Location: Chicagoland

As a contributing Foodservice Sales Team member, the Sales Account Associate (SAA) will report directly to a Director of Sales (DOS) or Foodservice Sales Executive (SAE). The position will have regular interactions with the DOS (or SAE) and other Team Members, while focused on cultivating relationships and growing business with assigned accounts. This person will be accountable for building relationships, providing solutions to customers, selling incremental new items, establish and execute operator pricing/programs. This position will execute against prioritized efforts and market plans. This position is expected to work cross functionally with various business units and trade teams to grow new business, protect the core and create a competitive advantage while attaining mix and volume targets.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage T&E Budget
• Execute and manage all strategic initiatives.
• Gather, create, and maintain key insight for all assigned accounts including key contacts, correspondence, size of business, product/category risks & opportunities; competitive set; calendar/ timing and potential hurdles. Maintain and track progress using the CRM tool all applicable parties are aware.
• Must be able to deliver against assigned volume goals and execute price actions within the marketplace. Manage spend and manage the mix of product sold.
• Provide customer sales support for market events, meetings, presentations, product samplings and local trade shows; Coordinate and execute customer events/activities (e.g. Registration, samples, etc.).
• Develop and/or cultivate professional relationships with identifying and targeting incremental accounts, assigned accounts within the market/geography to achieve business objectives.
• Collaborate with Sales Development, Business Units and Trade teams as needed to deliver and/or exceed sales plans by managing marketing programs. expense management and deduction resolution (as appropriate).

Requirements:

• Experience: Minimum Zero - Two years outside sales experience in Food Service Manufacturing or Distributor Sales
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Special Skills: Strategic thinking, planning, negotiation skills, Center of the Plate protein knowledge, understanding of motivational leadership skills, and conflict resolution skills; coordination and planning skills (e.g. events)
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Travel: 10-20%
• Computer Skills: Experience with Microsoft Office products