Account Specialist- Produce Twin

Support overall sales growth plan by increasing sales while providing enhanced customer service to customers. Responsible for handling produce and/or non-produce for assigned accounts by anticipating customer needs, managing sales margins, entering customer orders, and expanding new customer base.

• Responsible for meeting or exceeding established targets for sales and gross margin with assigned customer list.
• Provide strategies and creative solutions for assigned accounts.
• Maintain existing customers and revenue; develop and grow customer business, partnerships, and relationships.
• Identify, qualify, and make phone solicitations of potential new customers.
• Provide division sales leadership with feedback from customers on Sales Team effectiveness.
• Solicit and process customer orders.
• Visit customer accounts as necessary to enhance relationships, build/develop businesses, and resolve customer problems.
• Ensure customers receive timely and accurate information on product availability, quality, and price.
• Suggest substitutions to customers for items ordered that are unavailable or otherwise unacceptable; encourage customers to purchase maximum amounts of products conducive to their business.
• Respond to customer phone inquiries and assist with customer problems, complaints, and requests for resolution.
• Process and control credit requests per Company policy; enter credits into the Sales system; monitor history and report results.
• Coordinate Sales activities with Quality Control, Transportation, Accounting, and Purchasing to entire customer satisfaction on all levels.
• Assist in training and mentoring new and/or junior staff members.
• Perform duties following HACCP and Safe Quality Food (SQF) policies and procedures, as appropriate for location.
• Lead and serve as a role model for others in the organization by consistent demonstration of high ethical standards.
• Performs other relevant job duties as required.

• Associate’s degree or equivalent training and experience.

• 3 years in a food distribution or sales environment preferred.

• Knowledge of the perishable and organic food industry preferred.
• Competent with MS Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, and Word;
  PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven negotiation skills as demonstrated by previous work experience.
• Able to develop and maintain effective, positive internal/external working relationships with a diverse group of individuals.
• Comfortable in an open, dynamic, and collaborative work environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task. Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Proven customer service standards.
• Able to resolve issues appropriately and promptly.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

• This position follows a hybrid schedule. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.

• Some travel May be required.
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbents may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbents may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

The above statements…