Wholesale Sales Consultant (On-Site)

Wholesale Sales Consultant

Are you passionate about clean, sustainable eating? Enthusiastic about working in a people-first culture committed to living the good life and eating the good food while being good people? Awesome! Keep reading

Who we are

Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative is a nonprofit organic farmers cooperative of over 100-member farmers in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. We focus on creating healthy high-quality foods from our highly maintained and enriched soils on our small-scale family farms. LFFC serves all Eastern Pennsylvania, New York City, and most of the tri state area by connecting the farmer and customer, delivering the best local organic produce, value added products, and humanely raised and pastured animal products to retail establishments, co-ops, restaurants, and institutions.

The perks of working here

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement Plan with Employer Matching
• Free summer CSA (community shared agriculture) share
• Access to employee store with discounted organic food and drink and awesome LFFC-branded swag
• Being part of something that will make you feel good at the end of the day

Position Summary

This position will develop long-term, productive relationships and work collaboratively with wholesale clients (chefs, co-ops, stores, institutions, etc.) to achieve sales goals. This position will learn and promote all LFFC product lines to leverage sales opportunities through successful client relationships and proper lead management. This position will identify opportunities, anticipate customer needs and build customer sales while providing superior customer service. A strong desire to help the small sustainable farmer is essential.

What youll be doing

• Responsible for identifying, qualifying and building sales with assigned customer lists, new business opportunities, available inventory, and project assignments
• Work with clients to determine needs and establish long lasting relationships. Prepare reports and agendas for customer meetings as necessary. Recommend products based on customer needs and interests
• Accept/enter customer phone, email and fax orders; ensure orders are recorded accurately
• Analyze sales data regularly to monitor customer performance and sales objectives, as well as to identify further opportunities
• Perform sales responsibilities both inside and outside of the office
• Guarantee customers receive timely and accurate information on product availability, quality and price with a solid understanding of the seasonal availability of LFFC products
• Respond to customer phone/email inquiries and uphold the highest degree of professional and courteous customer service
• Understand and offer substitutions to customers for unavailable ordered items
• Maintain customer files and track customer activity in Salesforce (CRM)
• Visit customers and farmers. Lead customer visits and attend coop & customer events
• Follow product supply and demand protocols
• Perform all duties and responsibilities in an ethical manner and in accordance with LFFC policies and procedures
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned by management

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent training and experience; 2+ yrs in a perishable sales environment preferred
• Passion and knowledge of organic produce, pastured meats/dairy products and natural food industry
• Ability to close sales
• Capable of thriving in a high-volume sales team environment
• Able to develop and maintain effective, positive internal/external working relationships with a diverse group of individuals; a team player but also able to work just as well independently
• Ability to be comfortable in a diverse, dynamic and cooperative work environment
• Reliable and highly motivated to get the job done
• Strong organizational skills with ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment and under pressure
• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines while accomplishing team objectives
• Ability to exercise good judgment in regard to availability of seasonal farm products
• Proven customer service standards of excellence and related philosophy
• Proactive with excellent follow-through
• Strong interpersonal, telephone/oral and written communication skills
• Able to resolve issues appropriately and in a timely manner

Skills/Abilities Required

• Strong computer skills, including MS Excel, Word, and Outlook

• Strong negotiating, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of food grown in our region and seasonality
• Ability to analyze previous ordering and inventory histories to forecast and modify purchases
• Ability to present information and respond to questions from groups of management
• Proficiency with current software packages such as Microsoft Office

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Other duties, not listed here, may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the team.

Qualification Standards

Education/ Training:

Bachelor degree or some equivalency,

Experience:

2+ years experience working in perishable sales.

Knowledge/Skills:

Familiarity with Microsoft products preferred.

Attendance:

Regular, predictable attendance.

Other:

Ability to be detail oriented, work independently, be able to work under pressure and be thorough with excellent follow through. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Position Requirements

Essential Functions / Tasks:

Requirements:

Physical:

Vision

Ability to read data and the computer screen.

Hearing

Hearing required to hear customers and co-workers make requests.

Sense of Smell

Ability to smell is not relevant.

Gripping

Infrequently.

Lifting

Infrequently.

Stooping

Infrequently.

Squatting

Infrequently.

Push/Pull

Infrequently.

Kneeling

Infrequently.

Climbing

Infrequently.

Bending

Infrequently.

Reaching

Infrequently.

Equipment Operation

Infrequently.

Carry Objects

Infrequently.

Sitting

Prolonged sitting.

Walking

Occasional walking.

Standing

Infrequently.

Work environment

Office environment.

Climate

Temperature controlled.

Mental & Psychological Demands:

Comprehension

Understands and retains directions.

Reading/Writing

Excellent reading/ writing skills.

Speaking

Communicate effectively with co-workers and customers.

Decision Making

Use advanced problem-solving techniques.

Attention to Task/Detail:

Critical Thinking Skills

Organize tasks and set priorities.

Multi-Tasking

Perform and /or direct multiple tasks simultaneously.

Interaction with Others:

Customer Service

Ability to interact with the public in a positive and friendly manner.

Co-workers

Ability to interact with co-workers in a positive and friendly manner.

Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.