Sales Executive Frozen Fruit & Vegetables
( Santa Cruz, CA area, onsite, relocation assistance)

10+ years’ sales executive experience in frozen fruits and/or vegetables within the retail, industrial, food service, or club stores markets required.

The Sales Executive is responsible for maintaining and growing existing business and accounts by building transparent relationships, increasing trust and credibility, adding value, and helping our customers achieve their goals. These goals are the foundations of our long-term success. The Sales Executive develops and implements strategic sales plans, maximizes sales growth opportunities, and identifies and targets new business opportunities to achieve the Company’s short-term and long-term commercial sales objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales & Sales Support (85%)

·       Drives performance growth through increasing sales, identifying and developing new items and opportunities through research and qualification, bringing on additional customers in underrepresented markets, and improving margins in all selling activities.

·       Develops and recommends products, packaging, and pricing strategies for client needs.

·       Develops and negotiates high-level sales quotes and pricing proposals and negotiates contracts with new and existing businesses.

·       Visits key assigned customer base as needed to build customer trust and maintain physical presence with key decision makers. 

·       Coordinates seasonal demand planning of core crops with the Global Supply Team and provides the Supply Team with sales-driven opportunities.

·       Leads cross-departmental opportunity meetings to facilitate successful implementation of new brand launches, new or recurring large business bids, or new contract opportunities.

·       Provides Operations Team with necessary documents to help drive sales and margin.

·       Participates in strategic planning and sales planning meetings and activities.

·       Develops sales goals and budgets for assigned accounts and prepares weekly sales updates for management.

Account Management (10%):

·       Maintains daily contact with customer in conjunction with the Customer Business Manager, including customer service, sales support, product development, project management, and logistics.  

·       Provides mentorship and effectively works with assigned Customer Business Managers/Sales Services support.

Supply Development (5%):

·       Coordinates assigned sales-driven opportunities with our Asia group.

·       Participates as an active member of the Supply Development group.

Required Skills and Experience:

• 10+ years’ sales executive experience in frozen fruits and/or vegetable within the retail, industrial, foodservice, or club stores markets
• Bachelor’s degree required; focus in business, agriculture, or related field helpful
• Availability to work onsite in our Santa Cruz, CA (area), headquarters preferred; will consider a remote candidate in the PST time zone (required) with availability to be onsite with a one-day notice
• Entrepreneurial and supply chain/cost component savvy; solid understanding of what it takes to produce a commodity, barriers to entry, nuances of specific buyer and competitor costs
• Strong drive to win business and create opportunities while solving customer needs

·       Innovative, customer-centric, and hands on

·       Innovative thinker. Customer-centric. Hands on. Passionate about frozen food.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong customer service, relationship selling, and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; Microsoft Dynamics Business Central  experience a plus
• Skilled problem solver with ability to exercise good judgment with minimal work direction
• Proactive and self-driven with ability to work well independently or as part of a team
• Highly organized with strong time management and prioritization skills

·       Ability to travel 10-20%  (domestically, occasional international travel)

Target Hiring Range:

·       $150,000 - $200,000

·       10% target annual performance bonus