Category Specialist - BD Pacific Northwest Area

UNFI; Providence (RI); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Sick Time

Holidays & parental leave

401K Program

Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD/

Disability insurance

FSA/HSA

Job summary

UNFI is seeking a results-driven professional to increase Bakery/Deli sales through education and implementation of marketing programs in collaboration with the Director of Bakery/Deli. You will work with Sales and customers on category products to grow sales and expand store presence.

The role involves supporting Account Managers with category offerings, preparing proposals, and coordinating trainings and demonstrations. Remote work option with travel to assigned territory may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Retail/Wholesale experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Communicate competitive information to Sales Managers, Category Directors and Sales Reps.
• Create informative sales sheets and maintain category data library.
• Coordinate customer training with Vendors, Brokers and Sales as needed.
• Assist with sales presentations and support Account Managers with delivery.
• Travel to call on customers and present new items and promotions.
• Prepare proposals including pricing and department schematics.
• Attend sales meetings and trade shows to educate and learn.
• Report category trends to the sales team and oversee new account development.

Skills

Relationship building

Customer service

Negotiation

Planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Word

Excel

Access (Basic)

PowerSell

IDS systems

Powerfacts

Internet software

Inventory software

Job description

Job Overview

Increase Bakery/Deli sales through education and implementation of marketing and promotional programs in conjunction with Director of Bakery/Deli. Work directly with Sales and customers on category products that ultimately relates to increased Bakery/Deli sales. Assist and educate Account Managers in category offering, maximize sales and help grow company product offering. This role will collaborate with the sales team to achieve the objective of Building Out the Store.

Job Responsibilities

• Communicates competitive information to Sales Managers, Category Directors and Sales Reps
• Create informative Sale Sheets and maintains a library of appropriate data as related to their specific category
• Coordinates Customer training, enlisting Vendors, Brokers, and Sales as needed
• Help with Sales presentations on new or current customers with potential sales and partner with Account Manager or Sales Rep with delivery
• Travels throughout assigned territory to call on regular and prospective customers to solicit orders, offer promotional opportunities, schematic suggestions and present new items.
• Prepare proposals to include pricing and assessments of customer needs including department schematics
• Attends and educates & learns by attending Sales Meetings and various Trade Shows
• Report competitive information and category trends to appropriate sales team members
• Oversee category development of new accounts and servicing of existing accounts.
• Write and process sales documentation for use by the sales team in promoting department items and maintain a library of appropriate data related to specific categories.
• Display or demonstrate product, apply knowledge of products and services and demonstrate benefits and features to promote sales.
• Prepare written proposals to include required quotes and assessments of customer needs including department schematics (plan-o-grams) as requested by the customer.

Additional Responsibilities

• View or retrieve essential customer information, analyze missed opportunities for sales and review potential sales with customers.
• Available for resets or Product Demonstrations
• Complete department projects as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent applicable experience required
• Retail/Wholesale experience a plus

Experience

• 5-7 years related experience and/or training
• Development and execution of business plans, sales plans, and/or commission programs.
• Understanding of sales programs, promotions and related techniques
• Understanding of margin and company profitability
• Demonstrated ability to drive new business and close sales
• Strong relationship building and customer service skills a must
• Strong detail orientation and communication skills essential
• Proficiency with computer systems and applications (especially Word, Excel, Basic Access essential)

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Knowledge of products specific to category including basic department operations.
• Ability to analyze and determine sales opportunities
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers.
• Understanding of sales forecasting, programs, promotions and related techniques.
• Knowledge of word processing software; inventory software; internet software; Power Sell software; IDS systems and Powerfacts software
• Motivated self-starter
• Good oral, written and technical communication skills
• Good customer relations and diplomacy
• Good negotiation, organization and planning skills

Work Environment

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Physical Environment/Demands

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbents may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbents may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

• Paid Time Off
• Sick Time
• paid holidays and parental leave
• 401K Program
• medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance
• short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.