Customer Development Representative - Field Sales - CHEF'STORE

US Foods; Hampton, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 46,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

US Foods is seeking a Customer Development Representative to drive new customer acquisition and grow existing accounts. The role emphasizes building chef and purchasing leader relationships, presenting product solutions, and meeting sales goals. Remote with heavy travel to Hampton, VA and surrounding areas.

Requires a background in food service sales and strong CRM usage. Travel is up to 90%, with a home travel area covering Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year CHEF’S STORE leadership experience or 2 years in food service sales.
• Strong customer relationship skills and proven sales results.
• Effective communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Acquire new food service customers across independent restaurants and chains.
• Conduct in-person visits to uncover menu needs and operational challenges.
• Present product solutions across proteins, produce, dry goods, and equipment.
• Promote seasonal items and vendor programs to manage costs.
• Maintain CRM records and achieve sales targets.

Skills

Customer relationship building

Sales experience

Negotiation skills

Communications

Active listening

Self-motivation

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Customer Development Representative - Field Sales is responsible for driving new customer acquisition, growing existing accounts, and representing CHEF’STORE as a trusted partner to foodservice operators. This role focuses on building strong relationships with customers while identifying product solutions that support their menu, operational, and budgetary needs. The Field Sales Representative works closely with store teams and internal partners to deliver exceptional service and profitable growth within an assigned market.## **We Help YOU Make It!** ## **Schedule: 7:30AM - 5PM Mon-Fri** * **Remote with 90 % Travel - Must have Reliable Transportation*** **Home Travel Area: Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA*** **Food Service Background with Sales Experience Preferred****ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*** Acquire new food service customers by planning and prioritizing engagement across independent restaurants, chains, caterers, institutional kitchens, and hospitality operators.* Execute effective in-person customer visits to uncover menu needs, volume requirements, and operational challenges.* Present comprehensive product solutions including proteins, produce, dry goods, disposables, and equipment, to ensure offerings align with customer applications, cost structures, and growth opportunities.* Promote adoption of seasonal items, new products, and vendor programs to help operators manage costs and enhance menu offerings.* Maintain strong product knowledge across food categories, including food safety standards, specifications, pack sizes, and substitutions.* Analyze customer purchasing trends to recommend cost efficient alternatives, optimal order frequency, and strategies to minimize supply risk.* Build and maintain strong relationships with chefs, owners, general managers, and purchasing leaders to drive retention and loyalty.* Partner cross-functionally with store teams and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate fulfillment, proactive communication, and timely issue resolution.* Monitor competitive activity and adjust sales approach and product focus to maintain and grow market share.* Maintain accurate CRM records including activity tracking, pipeline management, and follow up tasks.* Meet or exceed sales goals that support case growth, category penetration, and revenue targets with set expectations of customer card signups, initial coupon execution and future shops tied to tracked customer cards.* Perform other duties as assigned. **SUPERVISION**:* N/A **RELATIONSHIPS*** **Internal:** The incumbent is required to interact with employees at all levels of responsibility throughout the company.* **External:** The incumbent is required to interact with customers across assigned market. **WORK ENVIRONMENT**Remote Region Based: The associate in this role is expected to travel to multiple sites within their assigned Region as needed and therefore must be located within the assigned Region or a bordering state to perform assigned responsibilities.* The associate in this role is expected to travel to multiple sites within their assigned market as needed.* Frequent daily travel between customer locations, requiring use of a personal vehicle.* Regular use of computers, mobile devices, and CRM tools.* Required to physically interact with customers.* The noise level in this work environment is typically low to moderate.* Extended period of driving, walking, and standing; occasional exposure to outdoor elements. **MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS*** Minimum of 1 year CHEF’STORE leadership experience, or 2 years of experience in food service, retail sales, or a related field, including at least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a retail food service environment.* Demonstrated experience driving sales, building strong customer relationships, and delivering exceptional customer service and results in a customer-facing environment with a diverse customer base.* Strong communication, interpersonal, organization, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, including active listening and relationship-building.* Highly self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability, and the ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage a field-based schedule with minimal supervision.* Ability to think critically, make sound business decisions, and apply strong judgment and logic.* Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.* Ability to present information clearly and respond to questions from internal and external stakeholders.* Flexibility adapting to changing business needs and working a variable schedule as required.* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and CRM systems.* Travel up to 90% with occasional overnights. **EDUCATION*** Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience required. **CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING*** N/A **LICENSES*** Valid driver’s license required & motor vehicle record must be in good standing. **PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS*** Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Supply Chain/Wholesale Management, or Accounting / Finance strongly preferred. **PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS*** Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time. OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVER **JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:****FREQUENCY:**STAND: FREQUENTLYWALK: FREQUENTLYDRIVE VEHICLE: FREQUENTLYSIT: FREQUENTLY LIFT1-10 lbs (Sedentary): FREQUENTLY11-20 lbs (Light): OCCASIONALLY21-50 lbs (Medium): OCCASIONALLY51-100 lbs (Heavy): N/AOver 100 lbs (Very Heavy): N/A CARRY1-10 lbs (Sedentary): FREQUENTLY11-20 lbs (Light): OCCASIONALLY21-50 lbs (Medium): OCCASIONALLY51-100 lbs (Heavy): N/AOver 100 lbs (Very Heavy): N/A PUSH/PULL 1: OCCASIONALLYCLIMB/BALANCE 2: OCCASIONALLYSTOOP/SQUAT: OCCASIONALLYKNEEL: OCCASIONALLYBEND: OCCASIONALLYREACH ABOVE SHOULDER: OCCASIONALLYTWIST: OCCASIONALLYGRASP OBJECTS 3: OCCASIONALLYMANIPULATE OBJECTS 4: OCCASIONALLYMANUAL DEXTERITY 5: OCCASIONALLY 1 (Push/Pull: Hand truck, gate, straps, metal ramp, truck door, dolly, boxes, truck gear shift)2 (Climb/Balance: In/Out Truck/Trailer to cab. On/Off ramp to ground level and side doorsteps and Platform of trailer. Stairs)3 (Grasp Objects: Hand truck, boxes, cartons, steering wheel)4 (Manipulate Objects: Boxes, dolly, metal truck ramp, hand truck, paperwork, truck gate, straps)5 (Manual Dexterity: Typing, use of office machines such as copiers, printers) Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html This role may also receive overtime compensation. #LI-HH1Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between$22 - $34