K-12 Inside Sales Manager

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of the Inside Sales Department including coaching, developing, and leading the inside sales team (K12) through active and personal engagement and management of the customer experience.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Active engagement with the customer service team and customers on a weekly basis


• Oversees, manages and directs the work of all inside sales team including but not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Staffing/scheduling to provide service coverage to ULF customers and meet budgetary goals
  
  
  • Provides regular feedback, both formal and informal, to direct reports.
  
  
  • Participates in recruiting efforts including updating job descriptions, conducting interview, selecting candidates for hire and training new employees.
  
  
  • Resolution of complaints and conflicts between department personnel
  
  
  
  


• Coach IS team in sales techniques and methods, product knowledge and account management


• Utilization of financial support software, such as Track Max Insight and Qlick View, suggesting improvements as they present themselves


• Perform weekly and monthly reporting


• Communicate new product information via bulletins to necessary departments


• Awareness of Accounts Receivable to ensure results within guidelines by customer type


• Support and training for online ordering platform with sales team and customers


• Support and training for all commodity and NOI products and processes


• Business relationship development across all internal departments


• Coordinates inter-department meetings as necessary


• Attend ongoing educational and corporate-partnered conferences.


• Weekly review of: Time Management and Time Off Requests, New Item Inventory Tracking, Credit/Debit Approvals, and On Hand Special Order Reviews


• Review Inventory in coordination with purchasing


• When deemed necessary process: Recalls, Off Day Delivery Approvals, Credit Requests, Recruit/Interview/Onboard New Team Members


• Evaluate staffing and startup for new accounts


• Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the Company, and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge, and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities.


• Requires regular attendance to perform essential element as contained herein between the assigned start and end times for work.


• Performs such individual assignments as management may direct.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

Experience

• 2-5 years’ experience in a customer service role


• Demonstrated aptitude of selling on value propositions, as well as negotiations and influence


• Training and development of staff strong prerequisite


• Strategic planning aptitude for territory and market geography required

Skills

• Knowledge and proficiency of Microsoft Office as well as the Internet applications.


• Ability to operate basic office equipment; i.e. copy machine, fax machine, and scanner


• Ability to be flexible, to be fair, and to function under pressure.


• Great organizational and multi-tasking skills, along with the ability to think critically and solve problems.


• Must be able to complete a project from beginning to end.


• Ability to build and maintain relationships with Upper Lakes Foods, Inc customers.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong preference for foodservice specific positions.


• Demonstrated leadership experience in a professional setting preferred.
  
  

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Typical office environment with shelves overhead and above work surfaces, overhead fluorescent lighting, computer screens and frequent telephone interaction. Open office space with moderate noise level.  Sitting at workstation 85% of work time.  Standing/walking bending, and reaching, and lifting and carrying of light loads approximately 15% of work time.


• Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT UPPER LAKES FOODS:

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc. is the largest independent, wholesale food distributor in Minnesota.  The company has three facilities located in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN and Janesville, WI.  Upper Lakes Foods specializes in serving foodservice operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. Simply put, the mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier, and community we serve by bringing the best; the best products, best people, and best ideas.

CORE VALUES:

• Strong Work Ethic– We believe in the value of hard work, perseverance, and consistency of character.


• Positive Attitude– We believe in encouraging a flexible, agreeable, and well-adjusted work existence that promotes successful outcomes.


• Integrity– We believe in honesty, truthfulness, and consistency of our actions.


• Team Work– We believe that work done by several individuals combined insures excellence of quality, safety, and service.


• Professional Appearance– We believe in maintaining an appearance that promotes good hygiene, neatness, and appropriate business dress.


• Respectful Interaction– We believe in creating a workplace where employees are treated fairly in a safe and positive environment.

“We are an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.”