What does it mean to be part of the Sales team?  

The Sales team is responsible for providing high quality, streamlined service with a focus on corporate initiatives for their assigned customer(s). Our sales team is crucial in delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. With an ever-expanding selection of 1,000 new products every month, our team helps maximize sales with the right assortment of products based on customers' demographics and lifestyle. We are responsible for creating relationships of trust, integrity, customer satisfaction and loyalty to help our customers achieve their goals, delivering better together.  

Job Responsibilities:

Account Management & Sales Planning

• Execute sales plans and goals designed to increase sales, and profit margins and minimize expenses.

• Develop joint business plans.

• Manage, target, and secure new sales opportunities and servicing of existing accounts.

• Forecast profit, volume growth, and other related goals as determined. Assist with the preparation of a sales budget for assigned accounts.                                                               

• Makes key decisions on addressing and identifying customer needs and concerns for assigned accounts.

Deliver Account Results

• Analyze sales reporting and create strategies to drive sales.

• Develops and maintains a Joint Business Plan that drives sales and profit margin. 

• Responsible for sales and profit margin results for assigned account(s).

• Focuses plans to drive sales and profit margin across product and services.

Manage Relationships

• Create and maintain partnerships with vendors, broker, and other trade partners.

• Meet or exceed client expectations and established deadlines.

• Drive proactively the company’s initiatives to ensure the success of the customer.

• Focuses efforts on mutual sales and profit growth.

• Owns a territory of core customers.

Manage Execution

• Conduct regular reviews of sales activities and effectiveness. May develop promotions and incentives to increase sales and improve performance.

• Partners with a cross-functional team of resources to ensure account goals are achieved. Works collaboratively with Merchandising, subject matter experts, and services leaders to ensure department sales specialists are supporting their account goals.

Provide Direction & Manage People

• Lead team members within assigned territory through effective objective setting, delegation, and communication.

• Manage sales team members to establish metrics.

• Responsible for selection, training, and mentoring of current and new team members within assigned territory.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.

• Minimum 2 years of sales experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to drive new business and close sales.

• Development and execution of business plans, sales plans, and/or commission programs.

• Understanding of sales forecasting, programs, promotions, and related techniques.

• Understanding of margin and company profitability.

• Familiarity with sales opportunities.

• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

• Ability to work in a result-driven environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and company sales systems.

• Understanding and knowledge of products.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Excellent communication, negotiation, preparation, and presentation skills.

• Ability to lead without reporting authority.

• Ability to interact at all levels of the business.

• Able to manage and coordinate projects.

• Aptitude for financial reporting.

• Able to excel at customer service skills, problem-solving, attention to detail, and organizational skills.

• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment:  Remote Role: This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Travel (major): Travel is required up to (50)% for this position.

About UNFI: We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000+ employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI