Product Specialist at Sysco

San Francisco, California, United States

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$91,900 – $137,900Compensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Foodservice Distribution, Produce, AgricultureIndustries

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED and 3+ years of sales experience within a retail, broker, wholesale or distribution environment with deep technical expertise of produce categories (Minimum)
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent educational level (Preferred)
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 (tools implied)

Responsibilities

Develop and execute targeted sales strategies to achieve region and individual annual business goals, delivering profitable sales growth and penetration
Identify the needs of customers and prospects to assemble a product mix that delivers solutions and helps achieve business objectives
Communicate with sales and merchandising teams on market conditions, product availability, new items and applications
Coordinate with buyers to determine which products can be grown by and committed to local farmers
Work collaboratively with Food Safety team to ensure vendors adhere to and maintain required food safety standards
Manage new vendor onboarding with insurance, GAP audits, and AS400 farm maintenance
Manage local reporting for both OpCo’s, monthly insurance reports, and quarterly Small Supplier reports
Connect with contract customers to ensure chefs receive the local reports, marketing, and product lists to support local purchases
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 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)
Utilize data analytics to prioritize produce opportunities
Other duties as assigned by Manager

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Sales StrategyVendor ManagementFood SafetyGAP AuditsAS400ForecastingMarket AnalysisCustomer Relationship ManagementReporting

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the compensation range for the Product Specialist role?

The compensation range is $91,900.00 - $137,900.00, determined by factors like specific skills, years of experience, and other factors in compliance with state specific laws.

Is this Product Specialist position remote or does it require travel?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What qualifications and skills are required for the Product Specialist position?

Minimum requirements include a High School Diploma or GED and 3+ years of sales experience in retail, broker, wholesale, or distribution with deep technical expertise in produce categories. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.

What does the team collaboration look like in this role?

The role involves working collaboratively with Food Safety team, sales and merchandising teams, buyers, and sales team members, while championing the team selling process.

What makes a strong candidate for the Product Specialist role?

Strong candidates have 3+ years of sales experience in retail, broker, wholesale, or distribution, deep technical expertise in produce categories, and preferably a Bachelor's degree.

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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