Customer Development Representative - Field Sales - CHEF'STORE

US Foods; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEF’S STORE seeks a Customer Development Representative - Field Sales to acquire new foodservice customers and expand existing accounts. You will identify menu needs, present product solutions, and collaborate with store teams to optimize costs and growth.

Travel up to 90% within the Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach markets; develop relationships with chefs, owners, and purchasing leaders to drive retention and loyalty. Prior experience in food service sales is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year CHEF’S STORE leadership experience, or 2 years in food service/retail sales.
• Proven ability to drive sales and build customer relationships.
• Strong communication, negotiation and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Acquire new food service customers by planning and prioritizing engagement across independent restaurants, chains, caterers, and hospitality operators.
• Execute in-person visits to uncover menu needs, volume requirements, and operational challenges.
• Present product solutions across proteins, produce, dry goods, disposables, and equipment to align with customer needs.
• Maintain CRM records, pipeline, and follow-up tasks; meet or exceed sales goals.

Skills

Sales experience

Communication

CRM proficiency

Relationship building

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITEJoin Our Community of Food People!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-FriRemote with 90 % Travel - Must have Reliable TransportationHome Travel Area: Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VAFood Service Background with Sales Experience PreferredESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAcquire 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/ARELATIONSHIPSInternal: 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 ENVIRONMENTRemote 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 QUALIFICATIONSMinimum 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.EDUCATIONAssociate’s degree or equivalent work experience required.CERTIFICATIONS/TRAININGN/ALICENSESValid driver’s license required & motor vehicle record must be in good standing.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSBachelor’s degree in Business Management, Supply Chain/Wholesale Management, or Accounting / Finance strongly preferred.PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONSMust be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time.OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVERJOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:FREQUENCY:STAND: FREQUENTLYWALK: FREQUENTLYDRIVE VEHICLE: FREQUENTLYSIT: FREQUENTLYLIFT1-10 lbs (Sedentary): FREQUENTLY11-20 lbs (Light): OCCASIONALLY21-50 lbs (Medium): OCCASIONALLY51-100 lbs (Heavy): N/AOver 100 lbs (Very Heavy): N/ACARRY1-10 lbs (Sedentary): FREQUENTLY11-20 lbs (Light): OCCASIONALLY21-50 lbs (Medium): OCCASIONALLY51-100 lbs (Heavy): N/AOver 100 lbs (Very Heavy): N/APUSH/PULL 1: OCCASIONALLYCLIMB/BALANCE 2: OCCASIONALLYSTOOP/SQUAT: OCCASIONALLYKNEEL: OCCASIONALLYBEND: OCCASIONALLYREACH ABOVE SHOULDER: OCCASIONALLYTWIST: OCCASIONALLYGRASP OBJECTS 3: OCCASIONALLYMANIPULATE OBJECTS 4: OCCASIONALLYMANUAL DEXTERITY 5: OCCASIONALLY1 (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)Compensation 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***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***