Sales Consultant - Food Service

Food Service Sales Consultant

Imperial Trading Co., LLC is looking for a highly motivated and skilled Food Service Sales Consultant to join the New Orleans, LA team! While working in and adjacent to the South Louisiana and Mississippi region, if chosen, motivated, skilled consultants will focus on specific convenience store chains as well as new business while working in conjunction with the multiple departments and company locations.

The Sales Consultant (Food Service) plays a crucial role in driving revenue growth within the wholesale trade sector by establishing and nurturing relationships with food service clients. This position is responsible for understanding client needs and providing tailored solutions that enhance their operational efficiency and profitability. The consultant will analyze market trends and competitor offerings to position our products effectively, ensuring that clients receive the best value. By collaborating with internal teams, the consultant will facilitate seamless order processing and delivery, ensuring customer satisfaction. Ultimately, the success of this role contributes significantly to the overall performance and reputation of our company in the food service industry.

We are proud that our company has been in business for more than 100 years and continues to expand as one of the nation's largest food distributors. It is an exciting time to join the Imperial team!

Location: South Louisiana and Mississippi Region

Benefits:

• Competitive medical, dental, & vision packages
• Employer paid basic life policy with competitive buy-up options
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match

Summary of duties: With a primary focus on food service sales, employees must plan, organize and effectively execute sales strategies for assigned accounts consistent with current company sales initiatives while achieving sales growth and profitability objectives.

Preferred qualifications:

• Proven experience in sales, preferably within the food service or wholesale trade industry.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with CRM software and/or sales analytics tools.
• Knowledge of food service industry trends and regulations.

Essential duties and responsibilities are listed below. Additional duties which are necessary to carry out the function of the Sales Consultant Food Service position may be assigned and are incorporated by reference into this job description as follows:

• Responsible for maintaining proficiency with current computer technology and all hardware and software in order to effectively perform all duties and responsibilities as assigned in this job description;
• Responsible for effectively resolving all customer issues and opportunities including timely notification to supervisor, Sales Support Manager, affected departments and personnel; timely and ongoing follow up required to all parties to ensure successful resolution;
• Responsible for creating and implementing business development initiatives inside all assigned accounts consistent with company food service sales and profit directives;
• Responsible for the outside sales of food service-related programs and equipment to customers at their place of business including, but not limited to, the installation of food service equipment;
• Responsible for meeting with customers to discuss profitability opportunities with current and new food programs;
• Responsible for training customers on foodservice programs;
• Responsible for assisting the credit department with collections as well as any additional matters related to accounts receivable retail issues;
• Responsible for working with the appropriate Retail Service Representative or Sales Admin personnel to resolve issues for all assigned accounts;
• Responsible for presenting and adding new products, programs and promotions, to all assigned accounts on a regular basis consistent with company sales and profit objectives; required to close retail distribution voids on priority products and programs; responsible and held accountable for accurate sales forecasting;
• Responsible to identify, analyze and provide written business plan to supervisor on under-performing sales and profit accounts; required to regularly and timely monitor account sales and profit purchase compliance to goals; identifying and implementing corrective actions to supervisor for non-compliant accounts;
• Responsible to efficiently and timely respond in order to effectively manage changes of customer payments that may negatively affect accounts receivable;
• Required to timely notify supervisor and management of any issues pertaining to account pricing issues or competitive proposals;
• Responsible for creating and maintaining a plan for timely and regular visits at customer chain headquarters, chain store locations and all assigned independent accounts and develop effective relationships with decision makers and/or store level management and personnel;
• Responsible for attending sales meetings and company functions;
• Customarily and is regularly engaged away from the company's place or places of business;
• Responsible for all duties as detailed in the Business Development Job Description;
• Reports to work, meetings, and scheduled business affairs on time, as directed by supervisor and completes above listed tasks in a competent manner;

All personnel within this job description shall be subject to cross-training into jobs within the organization based on company needs.

Physical demands:

The physical demands of this job include light physical activity performing somewhat strenuous activities of an administrative, productive and/or technical nature that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. To perform the functions of this job the employee must regularly stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, use hands to touch, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions and in wet, humid conditions. The noise level of the work environment is moderate.

Equal employment policy:

Imperial Trading Co., LLC's hiring, and employment practices are based on job qualifications, performance, and/or conduct without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

At-will employment:

All employees of the company are employees' at-will and, as such, are free to resign at any time without reason. The company, likewise, retains the right to terminate an employee's employment at any time with or without reason or notice. Nothing contained in the Employee Handbook, or any document provided to the employee is intended to be, nor should it be, construed as a guarantee that employment or any benefit will be continued for any period. Any salary figures provided to an employee in annual or monthly terms are stated for the sake of convenience or to facilitate comparisons and are not intended and do not create an employment contract for any specific period.