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:

• Responds timely to all category management opportunities, presenting new and existing product lines to customers. 

• Responds timely to high-level operations concerns and escalations

• Prepares and executes business plans that include short, mid, and long-term goals for brand building, including presentation of account business reviews

• Follows through on customers plans and objectives by budgeted net sales and cost objectives. 

• Oversees budget analyses and reporting. 

• Measures progress toward established goals and communicates results to appropriate personnel.

• Effectively communicate all programs with the sales team, along with timely communication of business needs and opportunities to key sales.

• Interacts closely with Operations, Customer Experience, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and all other internal customers

• Provides industry, economic, and competitive information to assist in developing sales programs, distribution strategies, and training processes. Identify new business opportunities to expand sales with the customer.

• Ensures that sales plans, goals, and policies are consistent with established Company-wide goals.

• Directs training programs to ensure that WFM Account Managers understand and implement sales plans effectively.

• Submits accurate, timely, and complete reports to management as scheduled. Ensures that reports and records are accessible and meaningful for decision-making processes.

• Maintains excellent customer relations. Meets or exceeds customers' expectations and established deadlines.

• Communicates appropriately with customer Account Managers. Ensures that information is conveyed as appropriate and that lines of communication are open.

• Cultivates and fosters team building and cooperation and motivates team members to achieve goals and further career development.

• Supervises, coaches, develops, and trains the customer's Account Managers, including problem resolution and performance appraisals.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements: Education/ Certifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

• 2 years of key account experience or 4 years of sales experience in consumer-packaged goods required

• Previous experience in a supervisory role 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

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Strong knowledge of client relations, account management, and distribution channels

• Thorough understanding of business conditions across products, customers, and divisions

• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding customer expectations

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and company sales systems

• Understanding and knowledge of products

• Excellent communication, negotiation, preparation, and presentation skills

• Ability to work in a result-driven environment

• 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

• Excellent customer service and organizational skills, problem-solving, and attention to detail

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 (minor):

This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

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