Distribution Sales

Jobtailor; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Knoxville, TN is seeking a results-driven Foodservice Sales Specialist to manage and grow distributor and operator accounts. You will plan launches, drive penetration, manage inventory risk, and lead trainings and client visits across the territory.

Qualifications include 3+ years in foodservice sales, proficiency with Salesforce and Power BI, and a proven ability to translate client objectives into actionable distributor plans. Travel and overnight stays are required.

Qualifications

• College degree or equivalent relevant experience in foodservice sales, distribution, restaurant operations, hospitality, or account management.
• Three or more years of experience managing a sales territory, distributor relationship, account portfolio, or comparable book of business preferred.
• Demonstrated success influencing distributor teams and producing measurable results through launches, penetration, conversions, and full-cycle selling.
• Working knowledge of foodservice distribution, operator segments, client programs, buying groups, GPOs, and contract-managed accounts.
• Ability to translate client objectives into distributor plans, influence without direct authority, interpret sales and stock-status data, prioritize opportunities, and communicate a fact-based forecast.
• Proficiency with Salesforce, Power BI, Microsoft Office, Teams, CRM systems, and designated selling and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Sell CORE client products to existing and new customers at distributor and operator levels.
• Build trusted relationships with distributor sales leadership and field teams.
• Develop distributor-specific plans for launches, penetration, conversions, inventory risks, marketing, retention, and lost customer recovery.
• Identify and develop independent operator opportunities.
• Activate Distributor Sales Representatives through sell-withs, product knowledge, opportunity planning, and lead follow-up.
• Use CORE’s Seven Step sales process to drive trial, conversion, and repeat purchase.
• Translate approved client programs into distributor and operator activity within applicable guidelines.
• Monitor stock status, new-item placement, slow-moving items, usage changes, competitive activity, and execution risks.
• Maintain accurate Salesforce records, qualified pipeline data, forecasts, and target dates.
• Use Salesforce, Power BI, distributor reporting, and market data to improve targeting, forecasts, and business reviews.
• Plan and support distributor meetings, trainings, client visits, vendor fairs, and food shows.
• Communicate results, challenges, market intelligence, roadblocks, and support needs to the Market Director, clients, and internal partners.
• Plan travel and field activities and manage samples, materials, expenses, Everlance, and company resources.
• Meet or exceed assigned distributor, client, case-volume, distribution, conversion, penetration, and operator-development objectives.

Skills

Foodservice Sales Experience

Salesforce Proficiency

Distributor Relationship Management

Data Analysis with Power BI

Account Management

Education

College degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Teams

CRM Systems

Everlance

Job description

• Sell CORE client products to existing and new customers at distributor and operator levels
• Build trusted relationships with distributor sales leadership and field teams
• Develop distributor-specific plans for launches, penetration, conversions, inventory risks, marketing, retention, and lost customer recovery
• Identify and develop independent operator opportunities
• Activate Distributor Sales Representatives through sell-withs, product knowledge, opportunity planning, and lead follow-up
• Use CORE’s Seven Step sales process to drive trial, conversion, and repeat purchase
• Translate approved client programs into distributor and operator activity within applicable guidelines
• Monitor stock status, new-item placement, slow-moving items, usage changes, competitive activity, and execution risks
• Maintain accurate Salesforce records, qualified pipeline data, forecasts, and target dates
• Use Salesforce, Power BI, distributor reporting, and market data to improve targeting, forecasts, and business reviews
• Plan and support distributor meetings, trainings, client visits, vendor fairs, and food shows
• Communicate results, challenges, market intelligence, roadblocks, and support needs to the Market Director, clients, and internal partners
• Plan travel and field activities and manage samples, materials, expenses, Everlance, and company resources
• Meet or exceed assigned distributor, client, case-volume, distribution, conversion, penetration, and operator-development objectives

Requirements

• College degree or equivalent relevant experience in foodservice sales, distribution, restaurant operations, hospitality, or account management
• Three or more years of experience managing a sales territory, distributor relationship, account portfolio, or comparable book of business preferred
• Demonstrated success influencing distributor teams and producing measurable results through launches, penetration, conversions, and full-cycle selling
• Working knowledge of foodservice distribution, operator segments, client programs, buying groups, GPOs, and contract-managed accounts
• Ability to translate client objectives into distributor plans, influence without direct authority, interpret sales and stock-status data, prioritize opportunities, and communicate a fact-based forecast
• Proficiency with Salesforce, Power BI, Microsoft Office, Teams, CRM systems, and designated selling and reporting tools
• Ability to prepare and lead distributor meetings, product training, client visits, food shows, and opportunity follow-up
• Valid driver’s license and driving record that meets company requirements
• Ability to travel and stay overnight as business needs require
• Timely use of Everlance for mileage and expenses
• Ability to drive up to 250 miles per day and safely operate a motor vehicle for extended periods
• Ability to stand and remain active for extended periods, up to four-hour increments, and sustain 8–10+ hours of activity in the field or at a food show
• Ability to walk moderate distances and navigate restaurants, kitchens, storage areas, loading zones, stairs, and uneven surfaces
• Ability to lift, carry, transport, set up, and break down materials typically weighing up to 30–40 pounds
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and maneuver in active environments
• Ability to use hands and arms to handle products, prepare samples, operate tools or equipment, drive, and present
• Ability to work in environments with heat, cold, wet or slippery floors, and confined or high-traffic spaces
• Required close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in foodservice sales and distribution, with a strong ability to influence distributor teams and develop strategic plans that drive measurable results. Proficient in utilizing Salesforce and Power BI for data analysis and forecasting to enhance sales performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Foodservice Sales Experience
• Salesforce Proficiency
• Distributor Relationship Management
• Data Analysis with Power BI
• Account Management

Hard Skills

• Sales Process Management
• Market Data Analysis
• Inventory Management
• Sales Forecasting
• Product Training
• Opportunity Planning
• Client Program Translation
• Full-Cycle Selling
• Distributor-Specific Planning
• Sales Pipeline Management

Soft Skills

• Relationship Building
• Influencing Without Authority
• Effective Communication
• Problem Solving
• Team Collaboration

Industry Keywords

• Foodservice Distribution
• Restaurant Operations
• Account Portfolio Management
• Buying Groups
• Contract-Managed Accounts

Tools & Technologies

• Salesforce
• Power BI
• Microsoft Office
• CRM Systems
• Everlance