An expanding marketer / shipper / grower seeks a business development pro with citrus category expertise to join their sales team. This company sells organic and conventional lines to customers throughout U.S. They have a very strong and solid domestic and Mexican grower base. This is a terrific opportunity for a proactive salesperson.

Position can be based remotely in the U.S. or in Southern California.

The role seeks a proactive salesperson who:

• Works daily with a purpose. Thinks and plans ahead. Looks at daily, weekly, seasonal business, stays ahead of potential issues such as shortfall in inventory.
• Takes initiative, works proactively, will “turn over rocks” to find opportunities.
• Relationship builder. Has a good sense of the level of consistency to be in touch with prospective retail customers. Uses the phone, takes customer visits, attends trade shows, as well as utilizes email and electronic communication to build business prospects and customers.
• Troubleshoots and identifies issues. Propose solutions to problems instead of waiting for others to provide solutions, while working cohesively with management and team.
• Constant and consistent learner. Talks with team, customers, industry members, not afraid to ask questions. Stays abreast of industry changes, category developments, and trends.
• Keeps customers and prospects updated on state of business and industry changes, such as weather shifts and growing region transitions.
• Self-motivated. Works successfully in a small team environment that isn’t micro-managed.

Responsibilities Include:

• Work with management on developing target prospective customers. Prospect and sell to new customers such as regional and national retail grocery, wholesale grocery.
• Develop business with your own customer base, including program business.
• Achieve growth with customers, such as sales volume, share of business, price, among other metrics.
• Know customer quality preferences, minimize rejections.
• Form relationships with various levels within potential customer organizations.
• Work to maximize returns to grower partners.
• Strong forecasting skills, maintain consistent communication with management and supply team.
• Work closely with shipping and warehouse. Keep on top of current and projected inventory levels and product availability.
• Consistent travel to company office. Travel to customers, trade shows, industry events. Potential travel to shipping points.

Requirements Include:

• 5+ years of fresh produce sales experience.
• Strong expertise in the citrus category.
• Strong knowledge of citrus buyers and category managers within retail and related customer bases.
• Demonstrated success developing business. “Hunter” sales personality, self-starter, interested in prospecting and landing new customers.
• Must be well organized, able to handle multiple priorities, attention to details.
• Strong communication skills and follow-through.
• Ability to excel in a hands-on, fast paced environment.
• Experience with ERP systems like Produce Pro, Famous, or other systems.

The base salary the company may reasonably expect to pay for this role is $80,000 to $130,000. The actual salary for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills and experience. The base salary range does not include other compensation elements, which will compose the total compensation package, or other benefits available to the position.

Please contact Rich Lentz, rich@producecareers.com