South West NJ Sales Consultant

JOB SUMMARY

This position carries out and achieves a sales plan assigned by the Sysco Specialty Meat Group (SSMG) company. This individual achieves maximum sales profitability, growth and account penetration with an assigned territory by effectively selling the company’s products. He/she promotes, sells, secures orders from existing and prospective customers through a relationship approach. This role demonstrates products and services to existing/potential customers and assists them in selecting those best suited to their needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish, develop, and maintain business relationships with current and prospective customers in the assigned territory to generate new business for SSMG products and services.
• Make in-person visits and presentations to existing and prospective customers.
• Take customer orders with SSMG goals in mind: sales and GP/Stop maximization.
• Participate, review, and oversee input of orders for customers via communication with inside sales partners.
• React timely to customer problems and needs.
• Review daily out-of-stocks, shortages, transportation issues, and implement solutions quickly.
• Review, analyze, and react to daily/weekly sales and margin reports looking for improvement opportunities.
• Keep abreast of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitive activities, trends, and the other distributors/sales organizations in your market.
• Participate in SSMG training and customer events and sales meetings held by Sysco Sales leaders.
• Develop a relationship with the accounts payable (A/P) contact at every account.
• Coordinate communication between them and the SSMG account receivable manager/representative.
• Implement “Ask Early and Often” to control days sales outstanding (DSOs) and know signs to decide when to say “No Ship or Cash on Delivery (COD)”.
• Update bid files, customer profiles, and customer call sheets to ensure proper pricing and accuracy of needed items, thus reducing costly credits and returns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• High School diploma
• Preferred: 4-year degree in culinary arts, business, marketing, agriculture/animal science or related studies

Experience

• 2-year prior food service and/or sales background strongly preferred.

Professional Skills

• Deep expertise of meat and seafood category or restaurant/culinary background with a shown capacity to quickly learn and apply new knowledge.
• Consultative sales ability.
• Must be self‑motivated and accountable for time management without constant supervisor direction.
• Exhibit strong customer relations skills and a sense of urgency in meeting customer needs.
• Basic computer skills and proficiency with MS Outlook.

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

Independently Made Decisions

• Approach to building relationships with customers/stakeholders.
• Time and customer management.
• Customer pricing.
• Self‑motivation.

With Review and Approval

• Sales strategy.
• Contract pricing and customer pricing.
• Authorizing credits and returns.

ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTING

Supervisor Title: Sales VP, Director, or Manager