Sales Manager

Organically Grown Company (OGC), the Northwest’s largest independent distributor of fresh, organic produce, is hiring a Sales Manager. OGC operates 24-7, and the Sales department has a big responsibility to provide top tier service to our customers. If you have a strong sales leadership background and deep produce knowledge, we want to meet you! Our Sales Manager is recognized and appreciated by our customers, coworkers and community for their role in the organic food supply chain, and we want you to be part of our team!

Why work for OGC?

The Sales Manager is responsible for leading the sales team, providing account reporting and analysis, performing account visits, and maintaining strong partnerships. They work closely on sales planning and sales strategy to keep an effective and timely flow of communication about customer needs and product availability, including the facilitation of program sales.

Join our team to earn:

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits for you and your family after 30 days of employment.
• Competitive Wellness Program!
• Generous Paid Time Off program.
• 401(k) retirement program with a 5% company match, capped at $3,500 annually.
• Annual profit share - 20% of profits distributed back to employees.
• Free and discounted organic produce.
• $200 annual fitness reimbursement.

This is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days in the office at our Portland facility.

Here’s what you’ll do:  

• Manage daily functions for sales team including AFDR, ongoing feedback, timecards, etc.
• Engage with business development initiatives to generate new business from existing accounts and new partnerships.
• Manage and improve the sales department processes, data management, custom pricing and allocation functions.
• Work with the Director of Sales and other department leaders to establish service standards and achieve account retention, appropriate gross margins, minimize shrink, and ensure high levels of customer service daily. 
• Manage OGC account representatives daily transactions, provide account reporting and analysis, develop and deliver sales presentations, and other special projects; Support reps in their regular visits to assigned accounts to assess customer satisfaction with price, products and service. 
• Create and manage account representative training and development.
• Advise, educate and support account representatives on customer service issues, negotiating sales, coordinating tight inventory needs, identifying avenues to increase sales, etc.
• Work closely with team to keep an effective and timely flow of communication about customer needs and product availability, including the facilitation of program sales.
• Lead team on new account set up mechanics. Obtain orders and establish new accounts by planning and organizing a daily work schedule to call on existing and potential customers.
• Execute promotions and pitches to existing and potential customers. 
• Maintain or increase sales volumes by developing and implementing account specific strategies, utilizing analytics and retail merchandising/marketing, providing customers with personalized service and enhancing OGC’s reputation for reliable quality and service.
• Develop and implement account management objectives including key service metrics.
• Manage account sales to identify trends in products purchased. Fully utilizes company software programs to track and analyze account and sales information.
• Manage the negotiation of products with customers based on margin goals, which may include providing volume discounts or other agreements.
• Manage order accuracy; Ensure orders include all necessary instructions regarding specific products, producers, and prices. Solve service problems, track order/delivery errors, call on accounts to resolve issues and follow up on special orders. Keep Buyers informed of account requests and projected volume.
• Frequently inspect and taste produce in stock to stay current on quality, pack and other conditions. Assist in the crop coordination process as requested. 
• Manage the processing of credit requests and reason for loss; Follow up with credit advice upon receipt and subsequent delivery of product.
• Attend conferences, trade shows and other outside events and actively pursue opportunities to build relationships with accounts, growers, and suppliers.
• Develop and maintain historical perspective on the marketplace to analyze and predict future trends and needs. Maintain familiarity with competitors’ products and services.

Qualified candidates will have:

• A minimum of 8 years commercial produce experience with a proven track record of consistently exceeding company objectives and quotas, preferably in a capacity of maintaining multiple large accounts. 
• Proven skills and/or experience in the following: successfully negotiating sales and pricing with large accounts; using systems to identify and analyze sales trends; executing sales presentations to accounts; actively participating in farm supplier visits; and completing business documentation, or overall equivalent experience.
• Previous experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity with responsibility for hiring staff and managing team performance to meet individual, departmental and organizational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to build accounts through relationship management, sales reporting and account analysis, and sales presentations.
• In-depth knowledge of produce varieties and organic trade and growing practices, sustainability movement and produce merchandizing.
• Ability to effectively lead a team and engage team members in overall department objectives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, combined with excellent customer service.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and make timely decisions based on existing evidence.
• Display emotional intelligence when dealing with difficult situations. 
• Strong sales skills using telephone techniques and face-to-face presentation methods.
• Strong planning and organizational skills and the ability to work independently with limited supervision. 

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, hear and converse over the telephone and in person, and on a computer. Requires ability to accurately receive and disseminate information to maintain and enhance relationships. Requires ability to travel and occasional overnight travel. Standing, stooping, bending required. Ability to meet the above description of position with or without reasonable accommodation.

OGC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

At Organically Grown Company (OGC), we are not only proud to an Equal Employment Opportunity --- we celebrate and thrive on the benefit our diverse workforce brings to our employees, customers, and community. OGC encourages individual differences and makes all employment decision based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion or belief, color, national origin, gender identity, LGBT/ sexual orientation, veteran’s status, physical, mental or sensory disability, age, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status or any other applicable characteristics that makes you YOU! OGC will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

OGC also considers qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.