Local Food Sales Associate Food Connects
- Date Posted September 18, 2020
- Location Brattleboro, VT
- Category Agriculture / Business
- Job type Full-Time
Food Connects is a dynamic and growing nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, VT that delivers locally produced food as well as educational and consulting services aimed at transforming local food systems. Founded in 2013, Food Connects (FC) is a catalyst for food systems change by connecting the next generation with their food, local farmers with new markets, and school chefs with local food.
The Food Connects Food Hub delivers source-identified local food from over 80 farms and value-added producers to over 140 wholesale customers located in Vermont, Western New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts. Currently, we offer up to four weekly deliveries and conduct sales through our online platform. The Food Hub is experiencing rapid growth and will be expanding operations, infrastructure, and delivery schedule over the coming year.
Food Connects is looking for a passionate, experienced Institutional Sales Associate to guide Food Hub sales through an exciting and dynamic growth period and support Food Connects' vision to provide innovative and transformative solutions to New England's local food system.
Job descriptionThe full title for this job is Local Food Institutional Sales Associate (LFISA). The LFISA is responsible for growing Food Connects Food Hub sales, primarily—but not exclusively—to institutions like K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and healthcare facilities. While institutions are the primary focus of the LFISA, the Sales Associate will also be expected to develop and maintain customers in retail, hospitality, and other industries.
The LFISA participates in coordinating the Food Hub weekly sales cycles and aims to spend a significant portion of each week on the road visiting existing customers to build relationships and promote purchasing of local products, as well as developing new customer leads to drive FC’s expansion goals.
The LFISA aims to provide Food Hub customers with industry-beating, exceptional service. Responsibilities include collection and compilation of twice-weekly orders, following up with customers regarding product satisfaction, and pursuing upsell opportunities to the benefit of both customer and producer. The LFISA must develop and maintain knowledge of all Food Hub products and be able to assess and tailor products to specific customers and customer types. This includes understanding the differing needs and purchasing requirements for schools, institutions, hospitals, retail outlets, restaurants, and more.
The LFISA works with the Food Hub team to continuously evolve and develop sales strategies and plans throughout the changing seasons. This includes promotions on seasonal crops, integrating the Harvest of the Month program into sales strategy, prioritizing product sales flow based on current inventory, and promoting new products and producers. Sales planning meetings will include setting sales goals and reporting and reviewing ongoing and prior goals and promotions.
The LFISA coordinates with the Farm to School Program Manager (FTSPM) and the Farm to School (FTS) team to tailor their customer service priorities to the particular needs of the schools being served by the FTS team.
The LFISA is based at the Food Connects office in Brattleboro, VT but will involve regular regional travel for sales calls.
Collaboration- The LFISA will work closely with the Executive Director, Food Hub Co-Managers, the Food Hub Lead Sales Associate, the Food Connects Marketing and Outreach Manager, and the rest of the FH sales and operations team.
- The LFISA will participate, as needed, in decision making on business development and the direction of the Food Hub as a whole.
- All Food Hub employees report to one of the Food Hub Co-Managers, and are accountable to both.
- This position is full-time, exempt salary.
- The schedule has some flexibility, but general availability is required on weekdays from approximately 9 am to 5 pm.
- The LFISA will be mostly free to set their own communication expectations with customers, but as the sales rep for a varied set of customers, they may feel the need to field occasional evening/weekend calls.
- Ensures the accurate and timely compilation of Food Hub orders on a twice-weekly basis for submission to our producers.
- Provides order reports to the FH operations team and ensures clarity in ongoing supply needs, based on projected sales.
- Promotes the growth of local food deliveries by enhancing existing relationships with customers and developing new relationships with potential customers.
- Seeks out and develops forward contracts for institutional customers (e.g. food service management companies running multiple educational food service accounts).
- Maintains positive relationships and communications between producers and customers.
- Collaborates with FHLSA and FCMOM to create a regular sales-oriented newsletter and social media marketing content targeted toward food hub customers.
- Maintains a database of customer notes and developments in a clear, concise, and consistent fashion.
- Coordinates with the FH operations team regarding inventory management and product samples.
- Supports the Food Hub’s general operations needs when required.
- Previous sales experience, preferably outside sales and/or local food sales and/or strong experience in the food service industry (institutional, hospitality, or otherwise).
- Familiarity with the world of institutional food service, including at least some understanding of regulatory requirements (e.g. food safety, procurement, etc), vendor approval processes, forward contracting, and common food sourcing expectations within the institutional context.
- Deep knowledge of and excitement about veggies, fruits, dairy, meats, value-added products, and other locally-produced foods.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal—in person, over the phone, email, text.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Strong organizational skills and a natural proclivity for keeping detailed records.
- Interest in and ability to adapt to changes in evolving business, be creative, and jump in where needed to optimize operations.
- Cheerful, professional presence.
- General technical skills with common workplace tools such as G-suite, Excel, Slack, Asana, and customer relationship management software (CRM).
- Comfort with basic math skills related to sales.
- Reliable private vehicle.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Reliable cell phone.
- At least 3 professional references.
- Existing relationships with/knowledge of food producers in Southeastern VT, Southwestern NH, and Western MA.
- General knowledge of the sustainable food and agriculture sector.
- Experience with E-commerce and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for food sales and distribution.
- Experience driving diesel box/reefer trucks.
- Knowledge of food safety regulations.
- Compensation: Multiple options available.
- Option 1: Flat salary, negotiable depending on experience.
- Option 2: Base salary with sales-based commission, to be negotiated, and beginning after an introductory period.