Sales Consultant (Food Service Experience)

Fortune Fish & Gourmet; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortune Fish & Gourmet is seeking a Sales Consultant to cultivate new business and expand key accounts in the perishable foods arena. You will collaborate with chefs, restaurateurs, and retailers, promoting premium seafood and related products while staying ahead of market trends.

You will work closely with Product and Operations teams to ensure accurate inventories, timely deliveries, and customer satisfaction, building long-term partnerships through strategic selling and professional service.

Qualifications

• 2+ years outside sales experience in perishable food products; seafood experience preferred.
• 2–5 years professional sales in the foodservice industry, or 5–7 years in chef/restaurant management.
• Advanced English verbal communication; ability to quickly learn company products, systems, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate new business opportunities through networking, consultative sales approaches, and understanding customer needs.
• Manage and expand existing accounts by building trust and providing customized product solutions.
• Collaborate with chefs, restaurant owners, and stakeholders to exceed their expectations and goals.
• Represent and promote premium seafood, humanely raised meat, poultry, game, and gourmet products; stay abreast of trends to provide informed recommendations.
• Partner with Product, Category, Purchasing and Operations teams to align inventory with demands and ensure timely deliveries.
• Coordinate with Accounting to establish credit terms and ensure documentation is filed.
• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to meet targets; organize daily activities for timely follow-ups and issue resolution.
• Prepare proposals, maintain sales records, and report progress against goals.
• Utilize CRM systems, social media platforms, and trade directories to identify prospects.

Skills

Outside sales

Seafood knowledge

Customer relationships

MS Office

Social media

Presentation skills

English language

Education

Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts or 3+ years industry experience

Tools

CRM software

Job description

The Sales Consultant (SC) plays a vital role in the Fortune Fish & Gourmet sales division by building strong, profitable customer relationships through tailored solutions and exceptional service. Collaborating with chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality professionals, and retailers, the SC drives revenue and gross profit through strategic customer alignment and expert product promotion with professionalism and culinary passion.

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.

Experience

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.