Sales Consultant - Center Store

UNFI; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UNFI is seeking a Sales Consultant – Center Store to drive growth across assigned Center Store categories within key accounts. The role requires close collaboration with Region Sales to develop plans, manage margins, and deliver annual business reviews with major customers.

The ideal candidate will have five years of related experience, a bachelor’s degree (preferred), and strong MS Office skills to analyze data, create plans, and present opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, or equivalent experience and training.
• Five years of related experience is required.
• Center Store category/brand experience preferred.
• Proficient in sales strategies and techniques with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Strong project management, and strong leadership with organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines are a requirement for navigating ambiguous or newly emerging issues and setting direction.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Responsibilities

• Develop sales plans with key retailers to provide a best-practices approach regarding market positioning and competing effectively within the Center Store categories/brands.
• Partners and collaborates with Region Sales as a Center Store category/brand expert – drives sales in partnership with sales with key accounts while assisting sales leadership in conducting annual business reviews, specific to Center Store categories/brands with key accounts – establishes sales plans for assigned accounts.
• Responsible for the sales and profit results within their assigned territory of Center Store categories/brands.
• Identifies customer needs and opportunities of Center Store categories/brands to preserve existing business and develop new business in accounts and develops, manages, and sustains strong working relationships with internal and external constituents to drive overall sales growth and profitability of the Center Store categories/brands.
• Monitors progress/performance of Center Store category/brand sales and margin to ensure expected outcomes are achieved.
• Provide training and support as needed to Region Sales on Center Store category/brand strategy and initiatives and manage and participate in customer sales meetings/calls as needed/necessary to provide Center Store category/brand expertise that will drive sales.
• Participates in in-person UNFI and industry events/shows as needed to drive category sales and meet with customers/suppliers and will create, execute, and report on store routing schedule conducting regular in-person store visits, category resets, and key account meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Sales strategies

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Project management

Leadership

Time management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree Preferred

Job description

*MUST LIVE NEAR HAGERSTOWN/BALTIMORE, MD OR PITTSBURGH, PA*

Job Overview

The Sales Consultant – Center Store is responsible for the development, coordination, and evaluation of activities within assigned sales territory to ensure ongoing sales growth for the Center Store categories/brands and UNFI customers. This role will be responsible for managing Center Store categories/brands’ growth while achieving margin targets. This role will collaborate with Region Sales for key accounts on the development and growth of Center Store categories/brands within their targeted accounts. Additionally, acts as the Center Store category expert on topics as it relates to Sales.

Job Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Develop sales plans with key retailers to provide a best-practices approach regarding market positioning and competing effectively within the Center Store categories/brands.
• Partners and collaborates with Region Sales as a Center Store category/brand expert – drives sales in partnership with sales with key accounts while assisting sales leadership in conducting annual business reviews, specific to Center Store categories/brands with key accounts – establishes sales plans for assigned accounts.
• Responsible for the sales and profit results within their assigned territory of Center Store categories/brands.
• Identifies customer needs and opportunities of Center Store categories/brands to preserve existing business and develop new business in accounts and develops, manages, and sustains strong working relationships with internal and external constituents to drive overall sales growth and profitability of the Center Store categories/brands.
• Monitors progress/performance of Center Store category/brand sales and margin to ensure expected outcomes are achieved.
• Provide training and support as needed to Region Sales on Center Store category/brand strategy and initiatives and manage and participate in customer sales meetings/calls as needed/necessary to provide Center Store category/brand expertise that will drive sales.
• Participates in in-person UNFI and industry events/shows as needed to drive category sales and meet with customers/suppliers and will create, execute, and report on store routing schedule conducting regular in-person store visits, category resets, and key account meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Certifications

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree Preferred, or equivalent experience and training.

Experience

• Five years of related experience is required.
• Center Store category/brand experience preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Proficient in sales strategies and techniques with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Thorough understanding of Company products, services, and competitor’s product lines.
• Strong project management, and strong leadership with organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines are a requirement for navigating ambiguous or newly emerging issues and setting direction.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Work Environment

Travel (major):

• Travel is required up to 90% for this position.

Physical Environment/Demands

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.