Sales Representative Trainee

Summary

If you have a positive attitude, competitive drive, dynamic personality and a love for food, then the Sales Representative Trainee position is for you.  This is an entry-level sales position within J.R. Simplot Company’s Global Food. Trainees will grow their sales skills in one the largest-privately owned companies in America. 

You will start out in Boise, Idaho with 4 months of in-depth training at our global headquarters.  During this time, you will travel to several markets to shadow successful sales professionals in cities across America.  By the end of summer, you will be knowledgeable on all of our food related products, systems, and tools. After successful completion of the program, you will be placed as an Account Representative and relocated into a sales territory somewhere in the continental United States. Relocation assistance is provided and the location is at the discretion of leadership. The ability to be flexible and adaptive is crucial to the success in this role. 

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities (Pre-Market Assignment)

• Attend product trainings, learn sales practices, tour facilities, build internal relationships, and travel to multiple markets within the program timeframe
• Fully embrace and become proficient with the Simplot sales process, Simplot products and execution of market strategies.
• Be highly engaged in the use of Simplot’s Salesforce platform, and leverage that knowledge into account management proficiencies
• Develop communication skills, presentation capabilities, professional development, and self-scheduling techniques

Responsibilities (Once in market)

• Profile and penetrate key operator accounts determined by local sales management that are critical to the success of territory sales.
• Fully embrace and become proficient with the Simplot Sales Process and executing the go-to-market strategies of the US Commercial division.
• Using a consultative approach, communicate the selling benefits of the Simplot product line in addition to the sale of products to ensure that customers are provided with the product knowledge they need to be successful.
• Establish and develop relationships with key management and sales personnel at assigned focused operators, assigned distributor and other market channels. Accumulate information to understand these various customers to interact as needed.
• Share in the responsibilities surrounding distributor sales department trainings, plus general and regional sales meetings.
• Assist teams throughout the region in support of large-scale sales events such as food shows and industry trade meetings
• Lift and carry 30 pounds, utilize culinary influence, and conduct product demos, work in a commercial kitchen, and demonstrate product to customers.
• Deliver on set sales goals and manage product portfolio.
• Represent the full Simplot product line in all sales capacities. Conduct sales calls to key leverage operators in the market, sometimes extending across multiple markets. Utilize various means to recruit and establish new partnerships for the sales of products.
• Build relationships and partner with various internal departments such as Marketing, Finance, Customer Service, Quality Assurance, Culinary, Demand Planning, Production, and Logistics to accomplish key initiatives and complete day-to-day operations.
• Research industry and marketing trends and develop product suggestions based on findings. Supply programs, information, and tools that aid selling efforts.
• Be actively engaged in promoting and driving sales across the entire food service product portfolio with priority emphasis on those product categories and individual products identified as the most strategically and financially important to the division.
• Be highly engaged in the use and leverage available with the Simplot CRM system (Salesforce.com) to drive efficiency and strong results.
• Work to drive customer acceptance of new product introductions and other innovation as relevant to the market.
• Understand local market dynamics – operators, distributors, competitors, etc. – and incorporate as necessary into local market sales plans
• Ensure sales forecast and profit targets are met.
• Consistent with the division marketing calendar, will be responsible to execute promotional and other scheduled activities to drive results.
• Identify or follow-up on new operator sales opportunities with ability to assess the opportunity and match to product and other solutions, e.g., merchandising, recipe, culinary, etc.
• Successfully persuade and influence customers and internal teams without authority, in a professional and collaborative way

Typical Education

Bachelor's Degree (B.A. or B.S.) from 4 year college or university

Required Certifications

Valid Driver's License

Other Information

Combination of education, training and/or experience will be considered for this position. Demonstrated understanding of sales and foodservice industry knowledge preferred. Dynamic personality, quick learner, positive attitude, great work ethic and flexibility. Capable of multi-tasking to manage unexpected demands from daily activities. Must be proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Presentation. Being self-motivated with a demonstrated ability to influence others while being professional in conduct and presentation is key.