Sales Consultant

Fortune Fish & Gourmet; Bensenville (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortune Fish & Gourmet in Illinois seeks a dynamic sales professional to cultivate new business with chefs and restaurant partners, expand existing accounts, and deliver customized product solutions.

You will collaborate with Product, Purchasing and Operations to align inventory with demand, manage pricing strategies, and ensure timely deliveries while building long-term partnerships grounded in trust and service excellence.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of outside sales in perishable foods; seafood experience preferred.
• 2–5 years in foodservice sales or 5–7 years in chef/restaurant management.
• Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts preferred, or 3+ years relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate new business opportunities through networking and consultative sales.
• Manage and expand existing accounts by building trust with customized solutions.
• Collaborate with chefs and restaurant owners to meet business goals.
• Represent premium seafood and gourmet products and stay informed on market trends.
• Partner with Product, Purchasing and Operations to align inventories and ensure timely deliveries.
• Coordinate with Accounting to establish credit terms and documentation.
• Develop strategic sales plans and organize daily activities for timely follow-ups.
• Use CRM, social media, and directories to identify prospects.

Skills

Outside sales

Seafood experience

Customer relationships

Pricing strategy

MS Office

Presentation Software

Social Media Platforms

English communication

Education

Business/Marketing/Hospitality Degree or 3+ years relevant experience

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Sales Development and Customer Relationships

• Cultivate new business opportunities through networking, consultative sales approaches, and a deep understanding of customer needs.
• Manage and expand existing accounts by building trust and providing creative, customized product solutions.
• Collaborate with chefs, restaurant owners, and other stakeholders to exceed their expectations, understanding their unique requirements and business goals.

Product Expertise and Market Knowledge

• Represent and promote premium seafood, humanely raised meat, poultry, game, and gourmet products (cheese, chocolate, etc.).
• Stay abreast of industry trends, customer preferences, and market dynamics to provide informed recommendations and drive sales.

Operational Excellence

• Partner with Product, Category, Purchasing and Operations teams to align inventory levels with customer demands, ensuring timely deliveries.
• Coordinate with the Accounting team to establish credit terms and ensure all required documentation is accurately filed.

Sales Strategy, Organization and Administration

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to meet and exceed performance targets.
• Organize and prioritize daily activities to ensure timely follow-ups, product delivery coordination, and issue resolution.
• Prepare compelling proposals, maintain detailed sales records, and report progress against goals.
• Utilize internal customer management systems, social media platforms, and trade directories to research and identify prospects.

Customer Engagement and Problem-Solving

• Act as a trusted consultant to clients, address inquiries and resolving issues with urgency and precision.
• Conduct follow-ups to ensure customer satisfaction and establish long‑term partnerships.

Team Collaboration and Pricing Strategy

• Work closely with senior staff and Sales Director to develop competitive pricing strategies tailored to customer needs.
• Contribute to a team of passionate professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, teamwork, and shared success.

Minimum Requirements

• 2+ years of outside sales experience in perishable food products; seafood experience is highly preferred.
• 2–5 years of professional sales in the foodservice industry, or 5–7 years in chef/restaurant management.

Education

• Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts preferred, or 3+ years of relevant industry experience.

Skills

• Advanced English verbal communication skills
• Ability to quickly learn company products, systems, and operations.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Presentation Software, Social Media Platforms

Personal Attributes

• Highly motivated, personable, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment.
• Open to change and quick to adopt new technologies and processes.
• Self-starter with a history of success in managing time and priorities effectively.
• Detail-oriented, enthusiastic, and resourceful while maintaining professionalism.

Fortune Fish & Gourmet is an equal opportunity employer.

Our Mission is to elevate meals and lives by uniting unmatched product quality and selection with responsible sourcing, faithful stewardship, and unparalleled commitment to our customers' and team members' success.

Our Vision is a world in which we can all:

Do good. Be great. Scale excellence.