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The Customer Development Representative - Field Sales is responsible for driving new customer acquisition, growing existing accounts, and representing CHEF’STORE as a trusted partner to foodservice operators. This role focuses on building strong relationships with customers while identifying product solutions that support their menu, operational, and budgetary needs. The Field Sales Representative works closely with store teams and internal partners to deliver exceptional service and profitable growth within an assigned market.
We Help YOU Make It!
Schedule: 7:30AM - 5PM Mon-Fri
- Remote with 90 % Travel - Must have Reliable Transportation
- Home Travel Area: Hampton, VA and Virginia Beach, VA
- Food Service Background with Sales Experience Preferred
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Acquire new food service customers by planning and prioritizing engagement across independent restaurants, chains, caterers, institutional kitchens, and hospitality operators.
- Execute effective in-person customer visits to uncover menu needs, volume requirements, and operational challenges.
- Present comprehensive product solutions including proteins, produce, dry goods, disposables, and equipment, to ensure offerings align with customer applications, cost structures, and growth opportunities.
- Promote adoption of seasonal items, new products, and vendor programs to help operators manage costs and enhance menu offerings.
- Maintain strong product knowledge across food categories, including food safety standards, specifications, pack sizes, and substitutions.
- Analyze customer purchasing trends to recommend cost efficient alternatives, optimal order frequency, and strategies to minimize supply risk.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with chefs, owners, general managers, and purchasing leaders to drive retention and loyalty.
- Partner cross-functionally with store teams and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate fulfillment, proactive communication, and timely issue resolution.
- Monitor competitive activity and adjust sales approach and product focus to maintain and grow market share.
- Maintain accurate CRM records including activity tracking, pipeline management, and follow up tasks.
- Meet or exceed sales goals that support case growth, category penetration, and revenue targets with set expectations of customer card signups, initial coupon execution and future shops tied to tracked customer cards.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION:
RELATIONSHIPS
- Internal: The incumbent is required to interact with employees at all levels of responsibility throughout the company.
- External: The incumbent is required to interact with customers across assigned market.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Remote Region Based: The associate in this role is expected to travel to multiple sites within their assigned Region as needed and therefore must be located within the assigned Region or a bordering state to perform assigned responsibilities.
- The associate in this role is expected to travel to multiple sites within their assigned market as needed.
- Frequent daily travel between customer locations, requiring use of a personal vehicle.
- Regular use of computers, mobile devices, and CRM tools.
- Required to physically interact with customers.
- The noise level in this work environment is typically low to moderate.
- Extended period of driving, walking, and standing; occasional exposure to outdoor elements.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 1 year CHEF’STORE leadership experience, or 2 years of experience in food service, retail sales, or a related field, including at least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a retail food service environment.
- Demonstrated experience driving sales, building strong customer relationships, and delivering exceptional customer service and results in a customer-facing environment with a diverse customer base.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, organization, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, including active listening and relationship-building.
- Highly self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability, and the ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage a field-based schedule with minimal supervision.
- Ability to think critically, make sound business decisions, and apply strong judgment and logic.
- Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to present information clearly and respond to questions from internal and external stakeholders.
- Flexibility adapting to changing business needs and working a variable schedule as required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and CRM systems.
- Travel up to 90% with occasional overnights.
EDUCATION
- Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING
LICENSES
- Valid driver’s license required & motor vehicle record must be in good standing.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Supply Chain/Wholesale Management, or Accounting / Finance strongly preferred.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time.
OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33 / FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% / CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% or NEVER
JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO:
FREQUENCY:
STAND: FREQUENTLY
WALK: FREQUENTLY
DRIVE VEHICLE: FREQUENTLY
SIT: FREQUENTLY
LIFT
1-10 lbs (Sedentary): FREQUENTLY
11-20 lbs (Light): OCCASIONALLY
21-50 lbs (Medium): OCCASIONALLY
51-100 lbs (Heavy): N/A
Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy): N/A
CARRY
1-10 lbs (Sedentary): FREQUENTLY
11-20 lbs (Light): OCCASIONALLY
21-50 lbs (Medium): OCCASIONALLY
51-100 lbs (Heavy): N/A
Over 100 lbs (Very Heavy): N/A
PUSH/PULL 1: OCCASIONALLY
CLIMB/BALANCE 2: OCCASIONALLY
STOOP/SQUAT: OCCASIONALLY
KNEEL: OCCASIONALLY
BEND: OCCASIONALLY
REACH ABOVE SHOULDER: OCCASIONALLY
TWIST: OCCASIONALLY
GRASP OBJECTS 3: OCCASIONALLY
MANIPULATE OBJECTS 4: OCCASIONALLY
MANUAL DEXTERITY 5: OCCASIONALLY
1 (Push/Pull: Hand truck, gate, straps, metal ramp, truck door, dolly, boxes, truck gear shift)
2 (Climb/Balance: In/Out Truck/Trailer to cab. On/Off ramp to ground level and side doorsteps and Platform of trailer. Stairs)
3 (Grasp Objects: Hand truck, boxes, cartons, steering wheel)
4 (Manipulate Objects: Boxes, dolly, metal truck ramp, hand truck, paperwork, truck gate, straps)
5 (Manual Dexterity: Typing, use of office machines such as copiers, printers)
Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between
$22 - $34
***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***
