Outside Sales Representative at Gordon Food Service in Champaign, IL

OUTSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE Location: Champaign, Illinois Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you... OVERVIEW For over 125 years, Gordon Food Service has delivered the excellence, expertise, and quality products our customers need to design successful food operations and experiences. We've grown to be the largest family-operated broadline food distribution company in North America by being passionately committed to the people we serve. At Gordon Food Service, our customers come first.  As an Outside Food Sales Representative, you will cultivate relationships, develop new business, and provide innovative solutions to our customers, helping them to achieve their goals and, in return, yours!   This position will reside in: Champaign, IL POSITION BENEFITS • A generous 401(k) matching program that is above industry standards • Financial rewards for performance compensation structure which includes salary, commission, and bonuses • Low-cost benefit options for you and your family's health and future • An Automobile expense reimbursement plan  • Cell phone reimbursement plan OUTSIDE FOOD SALES REPRESENTATIVE We invite you to join our sales team where you’ll experience a world where servant leadership and cutting-edge tools and training come together to support your career growth and financial objectives.  As an Outside Food Sales Representative, you’ll be responsible for the overall sales and relationship management efforts for existing and prospective customers within your assigned territory.  This includes pursuing new customers, deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships, and sales territory management. PURSUING NEW CUSTOMERS • Researching industry and market trends impacting restaurants within your territory • Identifying and researching prospective customers within your territory • Developing sales strategies that highlight products, services, values, and solutions offered by Gordon Food Service and presenting the sales strategy to prospective customers DEEPEN AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS • Visiting all customers within the assigned territory on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis • Conducting business reviews to determine existing customers needs and areas of opportunity for growing sales • Providing ongoing training to customers on Gordon Food Service product offerings • Identifying opportunities within existing customers businesses where Gordon Food Service can add value through product and service offerings Sales Territory Management • Balancing new customers acquisition and deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships • Coordinating visits to prospective customers and existing customers • Communicating order status and order processing updates to customers SALES TRAINING - GETTING YOU READY Gordon Food Service’s goal during your first 90 days is to set you up for success! This includes engaging you in various training offerings, including e-learning, classroom sessions, video roleplays, job shadowing, and peer sales representative mentorship.  Throughout your first 90 days, you will learn: • How to use Gordon Food Service systems, processes, and tools to manage customer relationships • About the products available to Gordon Food Service customers • The sales process for engaging new customers • How to establish your relationships in the vast network of resources available to you, a Gordon Food Service sales representative • Best practices on developing relationships with current and prospective customers • Strategies on how to effectively manage your territory POSITION REQUIREMENTS • High School Diploma/GED is required  • Bachelor's degree and/or culinary certificate preferred • 1 year of prior sales, business, or food service experience • Maintaining a valid state driver's license and a safe driving record • Ability to obtain your food safety certification Gordon Food Service encourages veterans and active military members to apply. Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.  If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.  All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free. Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.