Produce Specialist at Sysco

Portland, Oregon, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Food Distribution, Fresh Produce, SalesIndustries

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED and 3+ years of sales experience within a retail, broker, wholesale or distribution environment (deep technical expertise of produce categories)
Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent educational level
Proficiency in produce knowledge and trends required (Internal Certification & External Certification may be required)
Analytical problem-solving skills, including familiarity with analyzing reports and deriving insights from data
Ability to express information in terms of profit and loss, food cost and expense ratio
Strong financial acumen and ability to properly plan and execute business plans
Flexible; readily accepts change; open to new ideas
Track record of success in the area of consultative selling, networking and negotiations
Proficient communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work with and influence a variety of key stakeholders
Experience building trust with prospective customers and securing new business
Strong business and restaurant operations acumen to manage sophisticated customers
Ability to learn the use of proprietary CRM tools for planning and forecasting sales growth
Proficient in Microsoft Applications Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to structure a weekly schedule to be successful
Demonstrated ability to deliver against deadlines and produce high-quality results (accuracy, thoroughness in the deliverables they are producing)
Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple initiatives at the same time
Understanding of marketing principles, product lines, ordering procedures and Sysco’s credit terms

Responsibilities

Develop and execute targeted produce sales strategies to achieve region and individual annual business goals, delivering profitable sales growth and penetration across the fresh produce category, specialty segments, and Sysco brand
Identify the needs of customers and prospects to assemble a product mix that delivers solutions and helps achieve business objectives
Utilize data analytics to prioritize produce opportunities
Actively seek, qualify, and support top prospect conversion to Sysco
Be informed of market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales; share information with customers as part of value-added services provided
Track activities and results, collaborate on opportunities, and champion the team selling process through use of Salesforce (Sysco’s CRM tool)
Leverage sampling in a solutions-oriented manner to close sales
Provide feedback to specialty companies and merchandising on product quality, product integrity, product mix, customer satisfaction, perceived value and competition
Develop and maintain relationships with customers, chefs and sales team members
Support execution of prioritized sales strategies through direct selling and engagement of customers and prospects at Sysco events (e.g. food shows, industry events)

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

SalesforceData AnalyticsSales StrategiesCRMMarket AnalysisCustomer Relationship ManagementProduct SamplingBusiness Development

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the compensation for the Produce Specialist position?

The pay range provided is not indicative of Sysco’s actual pay range but is merely algorithmic and provided for generalized comparison. Factors that may be used to determine rate of pay include specific skills, work location, work experience and other individualized factors.

Is this Produce Specialist role remote or office-based?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What skills are required for the Produce Specialist role?

Required skills include proficiency in produce knowledge and trends, analytical problem-solving skills with familiarity in analyzing reports and deriving insights from data, strong financial acumen, and the ability to express information in terms of profit and loss, food cost, and expense ratio. Minimum 3+ years of sales experience in retail, broker, wholesale, or distribution with deep technical expertise in produce categories is also needed.

What is the company culture like at Sysco for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for the Produce Specialist position?

A strong candidate has a Bachelor's degree preferred, 3+ years of sales experience in retail, broker, wholesale or distribution with deep produce expertise, proficiency in produce trends, analytical skills for data insights, and strong financial acumen. Industry and category certifications may be required.

Sysco

Foodservice distribution for restaurants and healthcare

About Sysco

Sysco Corporation specializes in foodservice distribution, primarily serving restaurants, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. The company offers a variety of products and services, including food items, kitchen equipment, and marketing support, tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients. Sysco differentiates itself from competitors by providing comprehensive solutions, such as the "Restaurants Rising Toolkit" during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helps restaurants adapt to new dining trends. The goal of Sysco is to make running a restaurant easier and more profitable for its clients.

Houston, TexasHeadquarters

1970Year Founded

IPOCompany Stage

Food & AgricultureIndustries

Benefits

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Professional Development Budget

Performance Bonus

Risks

Increased competition from tech-driven solutions could impact Sysco's market share.

Reliance on partnerships for technology advancements may pose risks if results are unmet.

Socially responsible investing trends may pressure Sysco to improve ESG standards.

Differentiation

Sysco offers comprehensive B2B solutions, including food products, equipment, and marketing services.

The company provides flexible payment options and waives delivery minimums for scheduled deliveries.

Sysco's 'Restaurants Rising Toolkit' supports restaurants adapting to new dining trends.

Upsides

Sysco can capitalize on the demand for plant-based and alternative protein products.

The rise of ghost kitchens offers Sysco opportunities for specialized supply chain solutions.

Digital transformation in foodservice allows Sysco to enhance service offerings and engagement.

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