Sales Associate

Service Foods Ltd; Napier; Hybrid; NZD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Career development

Inclusive team

Regional impact

Job summary

Service Foods Ltd in Napier is seeking a motivated Sales Associate to join our Te Matau-a-Māui team. This dynamic, on-the-road role suits someone who thrives on face-to-face engagement and building lasting customer relationships.

You will manage a portfolio of existing accounts, prospect new clients across Hawke's Bay, and collaborate with our Ahuriri office to stay aligned with business priorities and complete essential admin tasks.

Qualifications

• Proven sales experience, ideally within food service or hospitality.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Salesforce experience an advantage.
• Self-motivated, independent work ethic.
• Knowledge of the food service industry is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of existing customer accounts.
• Prospect and convert new clients across the Hawkes Bay region.
• Visit customers regularly to strengthen relationships and understand their needs.
• Maintain a consistent call cycle to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Negotiate and close sales, aiming to exceed targets.
• Work with Procurement and Warehouse to align supply with demand.
• Provide tailored, customer-centric solutions.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Self-motivated

Customer relationships

Face-to-face sales

Education

Tertiary qualification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce

Job description

Join one of Aotearoa’s leading food service distributors and take your sales career to the next level. At Service Foods, we’re driven by innovation, strong relationships (whanaungatanga), and excellence— and we’re looking for a motivated Sales Associate to join our Te Matau-a-Māui team.

Position Snapshot

• Immediate start
• Employment type: Permanent, fulltime
• Location: Turner Place, Napier

Te tūranga | The Role

This is a dynamic, on–the–road role—perfect for someone who enjoys face–to–face engagement and building meaningful customer relationships. You will be a key connection between our clients and our business, ensuring their needs are met and their expectations exceeded.

Alongside your time on the road, you’ll spend several hours each week in our Ahuriri office to collaborate with the wider team, stay aligned on business priorities, and complete essential administrative tasks.

This role reports to our Napier General Manager, and all Sales Associates across our branches are supported by our National Support Office in Auckland, including upskilling, sales technique training, and team development.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and grow a portfolio of existing customer accounts
• Prospect and convert new clients across the Hawkes Bay region
• Visit customers regularly to strengthen relationships and understand their needs
• Maintain a consistent call cycle to ensure exceptional customer service
• Visit customers on a regular basis – build relationship
• Negotiate and close sales, aiming to consistently exceed targets
• Work closely with Procurement and Warehouse teams to align supply with demand
• Provide tailored, customer–centric solutions

Ngā āhuatanga kei a koe | About You

You’re a confident communicator who thrives on building strong, lasting customer relationships. You enjoy working autonomously, embrace a challenge, and have a solutions–focused approach.

You’ll Bring

• Proven sales experience, ideally within food service or hospitality
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Salesforce experience an advantage)
• A self‑motivated, independent work ethic
• A tertiary qualification (preferred)
• Knowledge of the food service industry (advantageous)

Ngā painga | What We Offer

• Competitive remuneration package
• Career development opportunities in a fast‑growing, innovative organisation
• A supportive and inclusive team culture
• The chance to make a real impact in a key regional role

Mō mātou | About Us

At Service Foods, we’re passionate about delivering exceptional service and premium‑quality products to New Zealand’s food service and hospitality industry. As the country’s largest privately owned and operated, fully integrated food distribution business, we’re proud to have been recognised by Deloitte as one of New Zealand’s Best Managed Companies in both 2023 and 2024.

We’re more than just a business—we’re a whānau. We foster a dynamic, inclusive workplace where your ideas are valued and your growth is supported.

Mō Service Foods | Working with Us

Our values—creativity, resilience, inclusivity, collaboration, work ethic, and humility—guide everything we do. We celebrate the diversity of Aotearoa and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves.

Ngā Herenga | Requirements

• NZ citizenship, residency, or a valid work visa
• Successful candidates will undergo reference checks, Ministry of Justice & ACC checks, and pre‑employment drug and alcohol screening