Distribution Sales Team

Acosta Sales & Marketing; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The CORE Group-Payroll, LLC's CORE Foodservice division is seeking a Sales Support professional in the United States to drive distributor and operator engagement and execute client programs within pricing and contract guidelines.

You will maintain Salesforce records, develop distributor plans, monitor stock status, and support meetings, trainings, and shows. Travel and valid driver's license are required to cover a large territory across foodservice accounts.

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.
• Demonstrated success influencing distributor teams and producing measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Distributor leadership and planning: build relationships with distributor sales leadership and field teams; develop distributor-specific plans.
• Priority operator and field execution: identify opportunities; activate distributor sales reps and drive trial and conversion.
• Client program and inventory execution: translate client programs into distributor activity within guidelines; monitor stock and execution risks.
• Pipeline, forecasting, and insights: maintain Salesforce records, use Power BI and market data to improve forecasts.
• Meetings, shows, and communication: plan distributor meetings, trainings, and client visits; communicate risks and needs.
• Independent judgment and resources: prioritize opportunities and manage samples, expenses, and travel.

Skills

Sales experience

CRM systems

Salesforce

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Communication

Travel

Driver's license

Education

College degree or equivalent relevant experience in foodservice sales

Three+ years in sales territory/account management

Proven success influencing distributor teams

Tools

Salesforce

Power BI

CRM software

Job description

DESCRIPTION

Sell CORE client’s products to existing and new customers at the distributor level and at the operator level that purchase from the distributors assigned. Assist in developing sales plan targets as well as execute assigned sales targets by client. Manage all aspects of the sales process through CRM.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities and Duties

• Distributor leadership and planning: Build trusted relationships with distributor sales leadership and field teams. Develop distributor-specific plans for priority clients, launches, penetration, conversions, inventory risks, marketing, retention, and lost customer recovery.
• Priority operator and field execution: Identify and develop leading independent operator opportunities. Activate Distributor Sales Representatives through sell‑withs, product knowledge, opportunity planning, and prompt lead follow‑up. Use CORE’s Seven Step sales process to drive trial, conversion, and repeat purchase.
• Client program and inventory execution: Translate approved client programs into distributor and operator activity within pricing, contractual, compliance, and program guidelines. Monitor stock status, new‑item placement, slow‑moving items, usage changes, competitive activity, and execution risks; escape material issues promptly.
• Pipeline, forecasting, and insights: Maintain accurate Salesforce records and a qualified pipeline with ownership, next steps, expected volume, risks, and target dates. Use Salesforce, Power BI, distributor reporting, and market data to improve targeting, forecasts, and business reviews.
• Meetings, shows, and communication: Plan and support distributor meetings, trainings, client visits, vendor fairs, and food shows with clear objectives, lead ownership, and follow‑up. Communicate successes, challenges, market intelligence, roadblocks, and support needs to the Market Director, clients, and internal partners.
• Independent judgment and resources: Prioritize opportunities consistent with CORE’s Platinum Partner strategy. Plan travel and field activities; manage samples, materials, expenses, Everlance, and company resources responsibly; and resolve routine issues within approved guidelines.

Performance Expectations

• Meet or exceed assigned distributor, client, case-volume, distribution, conversion, penetration, and operator‑development objectives.
• Maintain current distributor plans, priority‑operator profiles, productive field activity, accurate CRM records, a qualified pipeline, and a reliable forecast.
• Demonstrate measurable progress in launches, line penetration, conversions, repeat purchase, retention, and distributor engagement.
• Prepare effectively for meetings, shows, and client visits; assign lead ownership; follow through on commitments; and communicate risks and support needs early.

Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the company.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Requirements

• 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.
• Excellent communication, presentation, planning, facilitation, organization, responsiveness, and follow‑through.
• 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.

Physical Demands

To successfully perform the essential functions of this role, the employee must be able to meet the following physical and environmental requirements:

• Mobility & Travel: Drive extensively throughout the assigned territory, up to 250 miles per day; enter and exit a vehicle frequently throughout multi‑stop routes; safely operate a motor vehicle for extended periods; and travel overnight for shows.
• Standing & Activity: Stand and remain active for extended periods, up to four‑hour increments, and sustain a high level of physical activity over a full workday, typically 8-10+ hours in the field or at a food show.
• Walking & Access: Walk moderate distances within and between customer locations, approximately 1/4 mile at a time from parking, and navigate restaurants, kitchens, storage areas, loading zones, stairs, and uneven surfaces.
• Lifting, Carrying & Setup: Lift, carry, transport, set up, and break down product samples, equipment, client booths, and sales materials, typically up to 30-40 pounds, between a vehicle and customer or event locations.
• Movement & Positioning: Frequently bend, kneel, crouch, reach, including overhead, and maneuver within tight or active environments while handling products and materials.
• Manual Dexterity: Use hands and arms to handle products, prepare samples, operate tools or equipment, drive, and present.
• Work Environment: Work in foodservice environments with exposure to heat, cold, wet or slippery floors, and confined or high‑traffic spaces.
• Visual Requirements: Maintain close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception needed to safely perform job duties.

ABOUT US

CORE Foodservice is a part of Acosta Group – a collective of the industry’s most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies reimagining the way people connect with brands at every point in their shopping journey.

CORE Foodservice is revolutionizing the North American foodservice industry. With over 60 offices, we are a dynamic team dedicated to navigating the evolving landscape of foodservice operations. Our mission? To seamlessly connect top‑tier brands with consumers wherever they eat away from home – think ballparks, restaurants, schools and more. As the industry's premier foodservice sales agency, we drive demand, forge invaluable relationships, and accelerate growth across every dining destination.

At CORE Foodservice, we empower our employees to focus on what they love, fostering a culture where happy people drive remarkable outcomes. Our leaders are highly engaged, getting into the field and setting the example for pushing boundaries and innovation. Empowerment is our cornerstone; we believe in creating an environment where every voice is heard, and every idea valued. Join us in shaping the future of foodservice, where dedication and innovation meet opportunity.

Acosta Group is an equal opportunity employer and will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail]. Be sure to include "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject of your email to expedite the request.

Acosta Group believes in good faith that the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly compensation range for this opportunity is accurate and reasonable at the time of posting.

The Acosta Group utilizes E‑Verify for validating the ability to work in the United States for all job candidates. If you want more information on what this entails and your rights as a job applicant, please use the link provided to access information on our use of E‑Verify and your right to work. Employer Resources (e-verify.gov)

Acosta, and its subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Job Category:

Sales Support

Position Type:

Full time

Business Unit:

Foodservice

Salary Range:

$65340.00 - $81720.00

Company:

The CORE Group-Payroll, LLC

Req ID:

39582

Employer Description:

US_CORE_FS_EMP_DESC