Retail Sales Consultant

Retail Sales Consultant

The Retail Sales Consultant (RSC) is a vital, results-driven role focused on maximizing revenue and gross profit by building and maintaining strong, long-term, profitable relationships with our retail partners. The RSC acts as a trusted advisor, product expert, and merchandising specialist, providing tailored solutions, actively driving new business, and ensuring operational and product excellence at the store level. This role requires exceptional sales acumen, culinary passion, and a commitment to customer satisfaction while upholding Fortune Fish & Gourmet's high standards.

Candidates may reside in: DC, MD, VA, or the Carolinas

Sales Growth and Account Management

• Cultivate Business: Actively seek new sales opportunities and expand existing client accounts through networking, consultative sales, and a deep understanding of customer needs and business goals.
• Relationship Leadership: Serve as the lead point of contact for all account matters, building trust and developing trusted advisor status with key stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute strategic sales plans to meet/exceed performance targets. Prepare compelling proposals, maintain detailed sales records, and report regularly on account status and progress.
• Optimization: Recommend an optimized product mix, provide customized solutions, and coordinate with senior staff to develop competitive pricing strategies tailored to client needs.

Retail and Product Expertise

• Merchandising Excellence: Perform regular visits to retailer locations to ensure Fortune products are prominently and attractively merchandised, properly handled, stored, rotated, and packaged. Assist with case resets as needed.
• Product Expertise & Training: Represent and promote premium seafood, meat, poultry, game, and gourmet products. Train retail staff in product attributes, features, benefits, and proper cutting/wrapping techniques.
• Market Awareness: Stay current on industry trends, local market conditions, and customer preferences, providing informed recommendations and reporting on sales movement.
• Consumer Engagement: Present products professionally to store personnel and actively support promotional calendars, events, and in-store demonstrations.

Operational Excellence and Collaboration

• Problem Resolution: Act as a consultant, addressing inquiries and resolving service or operational issues with urgency, precision, and a proactive approach to ensure timely and successful delivery of solutions.
• Internal Coordination: Partner closely with Product, Category, Purchasing, Operations, and Finance teams to align inventory levels with customer demands, coordinate timely deliveries, and manage account documentation (e.g., credit terms).
• Administration: Organize and prioritize daily activities, perform timely follow-ups, utilize internal customer management systems/social media for prospecting, and conduct order entry as needed.
• Teamwork: Contribute to a positive, innovative team culture and effectively communicate with all stakeholders, promptly responding to all forms of communication.

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• 2+ years of professional sales experience in the retail, or perishable food products industry, with seafood experience preferred.
• Proven work experience as a Retail Account Specialist, Sales Consultant, or a relevant client-facing role.

Education

• Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts preferred, or 5+ years of relevant industry experience.

Skills:

• Advanced English verbal communication skills
• Ability to quickly learn company products, systems, and operations
• Proficiency in MS Office, Presentation Software, Social Media Platforms

Personal Attributes:

• Highly motivated, personable, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment
• Open to change and quick to adopt new technologies and processes
• Self-starter with a history of success in managing time and priorities effectively
• Detail-oriented, enthusiastic, and resourceful while maintaining professionalism

Fortune Fish & Gourmet is an equal opportunity employer.