Senior Sales Representative / Account Manager – Independent Retail Sales

THL Gourmet Foods Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group benefits

Paid vacation

Long service awards

EFAP

DPSP

Learning opportunities

Job summary

THL Gourmet Foods Inc. in Toronto is seeking a customer-focused sales professional to grow our independent retail business in Ontario. You will manage and develop existing accounts, identify opportunities, and achieve sales and gross margin targets across local grocery, seafood retailers, and distributors.

This role suits a sales professional who builds lasting relationships, introduces products, and owns account performance and growth. Regular travel within Ontario is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of sales or account management experience in food distribution, grocery, or retail.
• Proven success in achieving sales and gross margin targets and growing accounts.
• Strong relationship-building, prospecting, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint; familiarity with CRM systems.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to lift up to 20 kg.

Responsibilities

• Achieve or exceed sales revenue and gross margin targets through account management and business development.
• Manage and grow existing retail and distributor accounts via visits, follow-ups and tailored product recommendations.
• Identify prospective customers, arrange meetings, negotiate terms within guidelines, and secure new business.
• Promote products and expand listings across assigned accounts.
• Develop account plans addressing needs, opportunities, and profitability.
• Coordinate with internal teams to resolve orders, delivery, product and service issues.
• Monitor receivables and follow up on outstanding payments with Finance.

Skills

Sales experience

Account management

Negotiation

Communication skills

CRM systems

Excel/Office

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title

Categories

Categories Permanent, Full-time

Location

Location Toronto, ON

Job Status

Job Status This position is for an active, existing vacancy.

Job Information

THL Gourmet Foods Inc. is one of Canada’s leading wholesale distributors of Asian food products, sourcing quality products from the Pacific Rim and other regions around the world. We proudly serve retailers, restaurants, and food service operators across Canada through our extensive product selection, reliable distribution network, and commitment to exceptional customer service.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced, customer-focused sales professional to grow our independent retail business in Ontario.

In this role, you will manage and develop existing customer accounts, identify new business opportunities, and achieve sales and gross margin targets. Your account portfolio will include local grocery and seafood retailers, out-of-town stores, and distributors within our Asian independent retail channel.

This opportunity is suited to a sales professional who enjoys building lasting customer relationships, introducing products, and taking ownership of account performance and business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Achieve or exceed assigned sales revenue and gross margin targets through effective account management and business development.
• Manage and grow existing retail and distributor accounts through regular customer visits, proactive follow-up, and tailored product recommendations.
• Identify prospective customers, arrange sales meetings, negotiate commercial terms within approved guidelines, and secure new business.
• Promote existing and new products, expand product listings, and increase sales across relevant product categories within assigned accounts.
• Develop account plans that address customer needs, sales opportunities, and profitability objectives.
• Respond to customer inquiries and sales leads, working with Inside Sales and other internal teams to provide timely support.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to resolve order, delivery, product, and service issues.
• Monitor accounts receivable and follow up on outstanding payments in collaboration with Finance.
• Coordinate sales initiatives for short-expiry products to reduce inventory losses.
• Monitor market trends, customer feedback, competitor activities, and pricing, and recommend actions to strengthen sales performance.
• Maintain accurate customer records, sales forecasts, and activity reports, and provide regular updates to the Sales Department Manager.
• Represent the company at trade shows, customer meetings, and industry events, as required.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position with a regular work schedule of 40 hours per week.
• Local travel is required to visit customers and participate in meetings, trade shows, and other industry events.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support customer activities and other business requirements, in accordance with Company policies and applicable employment standards legislation.

Qualifications & Experience:

• At least five years of sales or account management experience, preferably in food distribution, grocery, or retail.
• Demonstrated success in achieving sales and gross margin targets, developing new business, and growing existing accounts.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to understand customer needs and recommend suitable products and solutions.
• Effective negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret sales reports, budgets, and market information and translate findings into practical account plans.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple accounts and competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently, follow through on commitments, and collaborate effectively with internal teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with sales or customer relationship management systems.
• A valid driver’s license, as regular driving to customer locations is an essential part of the role.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry product samples or cases weighing up to 20 kg.

Assets/Nice-to-Haves:

• Knowledge of seafood products and experience serving independent grocery retailers or distributors.
• Experience with product merchandising, promotional activities, or retail product launches.
• Ability to communicate in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is an asset to support communication with customers who use these languages but is not required for the role.
• Expected Gross Monthly Wage: $3,500 to $6,068
• Disclosure Statements: Pay for this position includes sales bonus and actual earnings will be bases on individual performance. Please ask the recruiter for details regarding base pay and sales bonus
• Comprehensive group benefits, including Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
• Paid vacation and statutory holidays in accordance with applicable provincial employment standards
• Long Service Awards and Super Sales Awards based on eligibility and performance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Deferred Profit-Sharing Plan (DPSP)
• Ongoing learning, training, and professional development opportunities

THL Gourmet Foods Inc. are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and accessible workplace where all employees have the opportunity to succeed. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and onboarding process in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation.

If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at [e-mail] . Accommodation requests will be handled in a timely and confidential manner.

At THL Gourmet Foods Inc., we believe that compliance with laws is about doing the right thing. Upholding the law is part of our Code of Conduct – it reinforces what our customers and stakeholders expect of us.