Now Hiring - Inside Sales Representative in Independence, OH

Signature Sauces is a sauce copacker for chef inspired proprietary sauces. We partner with large independent and medium-sized regional restaurant chains. We are looking to expand our client relationships to surrounding states. We are looking for an organized inside sales professional with a passion for food and flavor to join our team!

SUMMARY:

This role will be responsible for maintaining current business and developing new, within the food service & restaurant chain channel. This position will develop and establish strong relationships with customers by helping identify specific copacking needs and opportunities, as well as providing custom tailored product solutions to drive growth opportunities. This role may also oversee some retail opportunities for private label copacking with approval from ownership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Networking with multi-unit restaurant groups, while clearly conveying our capabilities and copacking services.
• Maintain relationships with restaurant culinary and purchasing teams, while working alongside their preferred foodservice distributor reps and buyers.
• Develop strong partnerships to create client loyalty, which would in turn, help generate new referrals and leads. Follow up and prequalify all trade show, call in and networking leads.
• Drive marketing and social media initiatives- centered around current prospects, company capabilities, new products, and new R&D ingredients.
• Work with Research and Development team to understand characteristics of raw ingredients. Participate in tastings to better recognize flavors and realize formulation of recipes.
• Take initiative to learn about our manufacturing process and the capabilities of each production line. This will assist in everyday conversations with clients and while touring the facility with potential partners.
• Oversee details of new clients and projects from the initial introductory call to production date. To include prequalifying the account, R&D process, pricing, distributor set up, and final production. Implementing the sales cycle and approval process through Smartsheet. Through Smartsheet, this role will track the entire life of a project until production.
• Gather customer complaint information, coordinate communications with quality assurance team and initiate corrective actions with cost control.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant sales or customer service experience specific to food industry
• Culinary Degree or 8 years minimum kitchen knowledge
• Understanding of working with food service distributors and reps
• Associates or bachelor’s degree in Business Management or Sales and Marketing
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and other software as required
• Current account relationships within chains and/or broker distribution channels, a plus

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate must be a self-starter with a strong work ethic that is sales and goal driven, persistent in nature and able to communicate effectively with leadership, administrative and production teams
• Maintain effective written and oral communications with customers and internal personnel
• Able to read, analyze, and interpret ingredient specifications and recipes
• Positive attitude and motivated by the restaurant industry and flavor trends
• Presentation, initiative, and leadership skills are paramount to this position
• Attention to detail, self-organized, and ability to prioritize projects is a must
• Creative problem solving and ability to conceptualize
• Position will require some travel