Now Hiring - Afrifresh, Inc - Ethnic Food Sales Specialist in Columbia, MD

Full description of the position

Job Summary We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable African Food Sales Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in promoting our African food products, providing exceptional customer service, and driving sales. You will be responsible for engaging with our business customers, sharing your expertise about our offerings, and ensuring a positive experience that encourages repeat business. Responsibilities * Engage with customers to understand their needs and provide tailored recommendations on food products. * Demonstrate product features and benefits to enhance customer knowledge and encourage purchases. * Collaborate with other colleagues to develop promotional strategies that drive sales growth. * Visit customer stores to monitor inventory levels and assist in restocking products as needed. * Provide exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly. * Represent the brand at community events, engaging with local groups--including faith-based institutions and other community organizations--to build brand awareness and foster relationships. * Stay updated on industry trends and product knowledge to effectively communicate with customers. Requirements * Proven experience in customer service or sales, preferably within the food industry. * Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse customers. * Ability to drive to visit customers in Maryland. * A passion for food and a desire to share that passion with others. * Demonstrated expertise in African cuisine and culinary trends. * Strong networking skills and market familiarity with key channels and customer groups particularly in the African food sector. * Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. * Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. * Flexibility to work varied hours, including weekends as needed. About Us Afrifresh, Inc. brings the best African food products to businesses worldwide. Our mission is to make it easy for retailers, restaurant owners, and caterers to find quality, affordable African foods. Using advanced analytics and a streamlined supply chain, we ensure you get a diverse range of authentic African food products quickly and efficiently. We make it our goal to help food entrepreneurs and businesses meet their customers' needs with the freshest African foods available. Join us as an African Food Sales Specialist and take the opportunity to share your love for food while helping customers make informed choices! Job Type: Part-time Pay: $1,500.00 - $2,500.00 per month Expected hours: 12 - 15 per week Benefits: * Cell phone reimbursement * Opportunities for advancement Compensation Package: * Performance bonus * Quarterly bonus * Yearly bonus Schedule: * Day shift * No nights * Weekends as needed Application Question(s): * In 150 words or less, describe your experience in sales, including the types of products or services you've sold, your approach to customer engagement, and any achievements or metrics that demonstrate your success. * African cuisine is incredibly diverse, with each region offering its own distinct ingredients and flavors. Please choose at least three different African food products or ingredients. For each, describe its key flavor characteristics, cultural or historical significance, and what makes it appealing to consumers. Then, explain how you would tailor a sales pitch for these products to a customer who might be less familiar with African cuisine. * This role involves regularly driving to visit business customers and retail locations. Could you describe your driving experience, confirm whether you hold a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation, and explain your comfort level with regularly driving for work-related travel? * This role involves not only field sales but also promoting our brand within your community, including through local events, faith-based institutions, and your personal network. Can you share an example from past experience where you successfully promoted a brand or product within your community? If you haven't done this before, please describe how you would leverage your personal network and community connections to build trust and expand brand awareness * Can you describe a time when you set an ambitious goal or were faced with a particularly challenging task at work? Please walk us through the steps you took--from planning and overcoming obstacles to ultimately achieving the goal. What strategies kept you motivated throughout the process, and what measurable outcomes did you achieve? License/Certification: * Driver's License (Preferred) Ability to Commute: * COLUMBIA, Maryland 21046 (Preferred) Willingness to travel: * 25% (Preferred) Work Location: In person