Lead Sales Coordinator

SUMMARY:

Directly manages and organizes sales support team to most efficiently support sales personnel and pertinent cross functional associates. Responsible for assigning, aligning, and managing dotted line reporting relationships to sales team members to create a productive harmonious sales support to sales group work environment. Works with sales personnel to garner feedback on direct reports performance relative to work duties and responsibilities in order to maintain a continuous improvement environment and takes action to correct under performance.

Acts as point person among sales support personnel with VP of Citrus and other functional areas. Takes on lead role within sales support group in development and implementation of process and communication improvements. Organizes and implements cross training of new hires and temps. Organizes and completes sales planning and pricing tools with input from the sales team. Assesses urgent sales support related matters and prioritizes responses.

Supports sales personnel in a wide range of customer related activities. This includes order taking and order entry via phone, email, customer portals. Interfaces in polite and efficient manner with customers. Coordinates across functional areas (internally and externally) to ensure all processes have been followed and necessary order entries and paperwork correctly assembled for order fulfillment. Assists in customer proposal requests along with collection of customer and industry data.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Limoneira’s job descriptions describe the key areas of responsibility, but do not attempt to describe all activities or areas of responsibility. In most cases the description covers approximately 80% of an individual's daily, weekly or monthly job duties.

• Directly manages sales support team and aligns dotted line reporting relationships to sales team members.
• Leads sales support group activities and acts as primary interface with VP of Citrus for performance of sales support group.
• Proactively identifies process improvement areas and communicates/implements action plan for improvement.
• Leads assessment and response to urgent issues relating to order fulfillment.
• Compares current and future demand plan against supply and proactively implements order adjustments by working with sales and shipping.
• Oversees completion of supply and demand planning worksheets.
• Collects supplier invoices of purchased fruit and prepares for payment approval by checking for accuracy and ensuring that product was sold along with proper accounting for any customer claims.
• Cross trains members of sales support team.
• Leads sales support contribution for company software updates.
• Requests order system edits relating to new products, packaging, etc.
• Works with IT to implement customer EDI set-ups.
• Oversees price sheet input and distribution.
• Creates market reports including USDA volume and pricing research.
• Responsible for awareness of approved transfers and providing final double check that mechanics of transfer are correct and on schedule.
• Assists sales in customer RFP submissions.
• Place order entries into Sage software and into online order systems such as I Trade
• Knowledgeable of various types of export and domestic order entry, set-up, and fulfillment processes including the ability to:
  • Coordinate the export of fruit with the representative of the Country of Ventura
  • Complete all PHYTO paperwork
  • Coordinate export manifest with shipper and packinghouse personnel
• Track customer contract volumes and report them to Sales Department personnel
• Interface with all operational and support groups
• Answer phone calls
• Act as a translator for Southern Hemisphere suppliers and vendors
• Perform other tasks, duties and projects as assigned by Supervisor or Management

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Two year college degree or more preferred; 5 years of Administrative support or similar; must have a valid California drivers’ license and be able to be insured by carrier.

• SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Must be computer literate in Microsoft Office and sales processing applications; must have a general understanding of accounting concepts; must have experience in data sorting and understanding the information

• PERSONAL TRAITS:

Must be able to interact and work with all levels in the organization and promote a teamwork environment; must be detail oriented and precise; must possess good problem solving skills; must be able to multi-task and be comfortable in a fast-paced work setting; accept constructive criticism

• 
  REASONING ABILITY:

Must be able to apply common sense understanding to fulfill written, oral or visual instructions; must be able to interpret instructions furnished both verbally and in written form; must be able to trace and correct errors

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will need to be able to stand and sit for long periods, must have feet and hand dexterity, and be able to bend, squat, push and pull. The employee must be able to hear normal and soft tones, have normal or corrected 20/40 eyesight, be able to talk to others, and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.