Job Opportunity: Member Sales Representative with Ontario Natural Food Co-op

Author: Jenn Kucharczyk

Posted: January 9, 2014

Categories: Food in the News / News from Sustain Members / Opportunities / Volunteer. Job and Writing Opportunities

Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC) is seeking a Member Sales Representative to join their team in Mississauga for a 9-month maternity leave contract, with the possibility of extension. Interested individuals should submit their resume and cover letter quoting the job title to hr-dept@onfc.ca.

From the ONFC job posting:

SUMMARY:

• Optimizes sales to existing and potential retail members according to the ONFC Marketing and Member Relations program plans
• Creates custom sales plans for medium to small member retailers who are not currently serviced by ONFC sales staff thereby strengthening ONFC’s position in an underserved niche.
• Engages in non-traditional territory management as the role includes a blend of outside and inside sales techniques and strategies along with project management skills with special consideration given to smaller volume stores
• Key contact for all new co-op retail stores; responsible for managing new co-op store openings
• Builds integration between Marketing & Sales programs and Member Relations programs
• Collaborates with the Member Services Coordinator in the identification and recruitment of new members
• Within the sales teams, provides leadership in messaging about the advantages of ONFC’s co-operative nature
• Stays current with new products and services offered by ONFC and competitors
• Monitors and reports trends in the natural foods industry

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales Promotion & Member Relationship Management

• Builds the ONFC member brand through sales activities
• Regularly contacts designated members and potential member accounts to promote ONFC products, services, specials, and promotions through a combination of in-person visits and/or telephone calls
• Negotiates volume and other deals for and with designated members as authorized by the Sales & Marketing Manager
• Recommends brands, categories, and deal levels to maximize the uptake of the member flyer and other member-specific promotional tools
• Facilitates excellent communication with members for all promotional activities using all available tools (email, fax, web, social media, etc.)
• Facilitates product demonstrations in member retail stores
• Pitches the concept of ONFC membership to potential members and follows up in coordination with Member Services Coordinator
• Regularly assesses member satisfaction with price, products and service
• Works with appropriate ONFC staff, brokers, vendors and members to resolve problems
• Records and discusses patterns of member requests and complaints with all relevant staff
• Participates in designated trade shows as directed by the Outside Sales Supervisor

 
Project Management

• Manages specific sales-related projects designed to increase member sales (e.g., sample program)
• Creates innovative ‘collective’ sales programs which allow small stores to access volume deals by aggregating their sales with other member retailers
• Develops and manages member sample program

 

Data Management & Research

• Optimizes sales to designated member accounts by looking for trends in amounts and types of products purchased

 

Administration

• Meets regularly with the Outside Sales Team Leader and Member Relations staff to review progress toward goals for member sales and member brand development
• Meets on a planned basis with the Member Services Coordinator in order to review data analysis of member sales trends
• Maintains daily activity log
• Maintains expense log and submits expense reports in a timely manner
• Attends sales and general staff meetings as required
• Maintains personal vehicle in good working order

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5 years of related selling experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of the health food industry and retail is preferred
• Able to negotiate and drive sales volume
• Strong customer service attitude, and the ability to cultivate long-term client relationships
• Self-motivated and creative
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people including vendors, suppliers and brokers
• Able to work with customers in a professional, courteous and friendly manner to create sales opportunities
• Able to create computer generated business reports & presentations, create a customer follow-up system and work from home (proficient in MS Word, Excel, PPT.)
• Must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving abstract and maintain a personal vehicle in good working order