Education Specialist
Gordon Food Service
Houston, TX 77066
Description
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
Supports order and delivery interaction between education segment customers and Gordon Food Service (GFS). Seeks growth opportunities in existing customers and brings new customers to GFS. Provide business consulting services to strengthen customer relationships and drive profitable sales growth. Represent GFS products and services for assigned territory and accounts. Manage customer business relationships to include accounts receivable, credits, lost business, growth, deployment of GFS resources, and average order size/profitability. Promote and use e-commerce technology.
This position will reside in: Houston, TX.
Position Benefits
- A generous 401(k) matching program and profit-sharing that is above industry standards
- Financial rewards for a performance compensation structure, which includes salary and bonuses
- Low-cost benefit options for you and your family's health and future
- An Automobile expense reimbursement plan
- Cell phone reimbursement plan
Education Specialist:
- Effectively express and service the GFS story.
- Travel through large geographic, mult-state territory to call on existing and prospective customers to maintain, seek growth opportunities, and increase profitable sales volume.
- Manage customer business relationship including credits, lost business, growth, deployment of GFS resources, and average order size/profitability.
- Utilize and apply customer profitability and pricing models to negotiate customer agreements.
- Oversee or coordinate the demonstration or presentation of products and discuss applications, using samples or marketing materials emphasizing salable features based on price or value to benefit customers’ business operations.
- Create and deliver a business plan based on customer needs, goals, and objectives.
- Provide direct, consultative services, including menu engineering, wait staff training, and HACCP training. Consult with customers and network resources to fulfill operations and profitability needs.
- Conduct Education Specialist personal results analysis and planning at the customer level.
- Receive, discuss, and/or verify order information with customers using appropriate methods on a monthly basis to include customer credits to identify and establish sales performance goals.
Pursuing New Customers
- Researching industry and market trends impacting customers 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
- Conducting business reviews to determine existing customers' needs and areas of opportunity for growing sales
- Providing training and consultative services to all customers within the territory to access current and future needs of customers and align those to GFS products and service offerings
- Identifying opportunities within existing customer businesses where Gordon Food Service can add value through product and service offerings
Sales Territory Management
- Balancing new customer acquisition and deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships
- Coordinating visits to prospective customers and existing 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 (or equivalent) plus 3 to 5 years of experience in sales or food business or practices & preparation.
- 1 to 3 years of experience in the education industry preferred
- Degree in Business, Sales, or Marketing related preferred
- Must maintain a valid state driver’s license and safe driving record per GFS policy.
- Must complete the Education Specialist curriculum within 2 years of employment.
- Ability to obtain your food safety certification
Gordon Food Service encourages veterans and active military members to apply
BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!
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.