SUPERVALU started in the supply chain and wholesale distribution business and in subsequent years we’ve grown to include traditional and hard discount grocery retail formats. We are currently looking for a Produce Field Specialist in Fort Wayne, IN.
The Produce Field Specialist will be responsible for customer sales and the retail profitability contribution for all assigned accounts and will be expected to meet or exceed wholesale budgeted sales, service level and EBIT targets for those accounts.
Manage Execution
- Establish a full understanding of the strategies, tactics and programs offered by the region and implement those programs and concepts with retailers.
- Identify purchase concentrations and product and service opportunities for each store/account and develop plans and monitor progress to capitalize on opportunities.
- Provide assigned accounts with operational and tactical support to achieve sales goals.
- Assist with seasonal planning, book seasonal orders, prepare ads and perform other tasks as necessary to support retailers.
- Understand the specific markets in which the retailers compete and adapt programs and plans to the market place to ensure retailer success.
- Communicate retailer needs to regional merchandising department to create new or enhance existing programs.
- Provide competitive field intelligence to the internal merchandising staff in order to more effectively meet the needs of our customers.
- Share best practices to assist retailers in positioning themselves in the market and competing effectively.
- Be the Produce/Floral Expert! Stay abreast of all industry related products, market conditions, key regulations/issues, equipment trends and technology.
Facilitate Profitability
- Assist sales leadership in conducting annual business reviews with assigned accounts (e.g., sales results, product and service level opportunities, performance against plan and other key account issues or concerns).
- Establish department – specific sales plans for accounts within the prescribed territory to achieve financial goals for each assigned department.
Manage Customer Relationships
- Develop and sustain strong working relationships and a presence as a valued consultant with assigned retail owners and department managers.
- Address customer issues (e.g., needs, request, and complaints) with proper urgency to the satisfaction of both parties.
- Work collaboratively with merchandising department leads to ensure the mutually established sales goals are achieved.
- Respond to and meet customer needs, both internally and externally.
- Represent the company by developing and maintaining a positive business relationship with retail customers, new clients and Supervalu region staff.
Scope
Assigned accounts, varies by geography, sales level, and complexity of account.
- Three years retail and/or wholesale produce/floral merchandising experience essential.
- Possess the ability to motivate and work with and through others to achieve desired results.
- Possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Deals effectively with a wide variety of people both in person and over the telephone.
- Experience addressing customer needs/concerns, solving customer problems or otherwise providing customer support.
- Requires basic computer skills and personal computer experience, with word processing and spreadsheet applications preferred.
- Requires the analytical ability to handle administrative duties and mental alertness to ensure accurate, safe, and thorough completion of work activities.
- Possess ability to concentrate and deal with frequent interruptions.
Physical Environment
- Position responsibilities requires travel (up to 85%) during the work week and occasional weekend travel
- Some work (15%) is performed in a temperature controlled office environment.
- Incumbent may do product checks in a Distribution Center warehouse and/or store coolers. This may entail moving about the Distribution Center warehouse floors and potential hazards exist in regard to machinery such as forklifts, pallet jacks, mechanized systems, movement of tractors and trailers, etc. Temperatures in the work environment may vary between 30 to 100 degrees.
- Noise levels in all areas are within acceptable tolerance ranges for those specific work areas.
- Incumbent may sit for long periods of time in a vehicle.
- Incumbent will use computers, calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment in the course of the workday.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.
