Produce Sales Manager - Food Service Division & Consumer Products Division

Job Summary:
Maintain excellent customer relations by ensuring the highest possible level of customer satisfaction by providing a dependable supply of quality produce at competitive prices. Maintaining the highest possible level of monthly produce sales by way of regular weekly customer contact/pro-active order solicitation. Overall responsibility for the successful day-to-day operations of the FSD & CPD produce department, includes sales, marketing, customer service, procurement, receiving, and inventory management.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities will encompass a broad range of activities associated with selling including but not limited to:
➢ Regular monitoring of stock and service levels (CPD & FSD).
➢ Weekly CPD & FSD Customer visits are required.
➢ Being accountable for delivery of sales objectives on a monthly and annual basis (CPD & FSD). Reviewing costing/set pricing to attain target gross margins (i.e., key        performance indicator is gross margin by SA groups).
➢ Performing annual performance reviews on employees with a view towards giving honest accurate feedback; highlighting their achievements, strengths and areas            needing improvement.
➢ Purchasing products from principals at the most competitive price levels as are reasonably possible, and for negotiating first costs, discounts, rebates, etc. Ensuring        that the quoted price is invoiced.
➢ Purchasing so as to make good use of working capital and facilities by increasing inventory turns and avoiding being overstocked (i.e., key performance indicators are     gross margin as a % of sales, slow moving stock, dead stock and dumped stock).
➢ Purchasing so as to ensure that adequate stocks are maintained at all times/avoid lost sales due to out-of-stock situations.
➢ Recommending suppliers, shipping companies, freight consolidators, and negotiating freight rates, and contacting principals to request invoices if necessary.
➢ Reviewing costing/set pricing to attain target gross margins (i.e., key performance indicator is gross margin by category).
➢ Organizing promotions.
➢ Factoring shrinkage/damage into gross margins by product type/SA group.
➢ Ensuring costing/pricings are completed and entered into the computer system as soon as possible.
➢ Overseeing accuracy of inventory data master file (quantity, description, pack, size, unit, FOB, cost, list price, etc.) - communicating same to appropriate personnel.
➢ Checking accuracy of slot locations - communicate incorrect slotting to appropriate personnel.
➢ Advising action, as needed, to move distressed stock. Inventory control - oversee periodic stock counts.
➢ Initiating inventory adjustments where appropriate - note that discrepancies are to be investigated and if proven to be legitimate are adjusted.
➢ Initiating dumping of inventory where appropriate (i.e., damaged stock to be disposed, discrepancies that cannot be proven to be legitimate adjustments are assumed      to be shortages, etc.) and complete the necessary paperwork to update the inventory data master file.
➢ Creating and maintaining up to date stock/order records for principal accounts.
➢ Ensuring reasonable requirements of principals are fulfilled (i.e., establish/agree sales objectives and strategies, advise of competitive situations, market trends,              potential for growth, pricing situations, new opportunities, and provide reports on sales and other market info.).
➢ Ensuring market visits by supplier representatives are mutually beneficial to all parties.
➢ Advising new products and lines for consideration - new products must gain approval before orders are placed.
➢ New suppliers to be approved by the General Managers.
➢ Organizing/overseeing distribution of samples.
➢ Developing strategic marketing programs.
➢ Make customer/principle presentations as/when required.
➢ Directing, training and managing produce department associates.
➢ Organizing & participating in periodic sales meetings.
➢ Ensuring that established company policies, rules and regulations are followed, monitored irregularities reported.

Requirements:
➢ Self-starter - ability to work fast and be accurate.
➢ Produce industry experience in both Retail and Food Service is preferred.
➢ At times, overseas travel may be required.
➢ Experience with importing, ocean cargo and air freight is preferred.
➢ Computer skills, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Cognos.
➢ Strong organizational skills.
➢ Excellent interpersonal & management skills.
➢ Strong verbal and written communication skills.
➢ Strong product knowledge.
➢ Possess high standards