Marketing Associate Trainee

Summary:  Train in all facets of the Marketing Associate position, as this position may lead to placement in the Marketing Associate position.  A Marketing Associate assists customers by providing foodservice knowledge and sells SYSCO products to our diverse customer base, prepare sales strategies and communications, responsible to develop new customers, collection of accounts, and identify sales opportunities to increase sales and gross profit within a geographical area.  With the highest ethical standards, represent the Company's integrity to customers and meet the sales and profitability objectives of the Company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned.

• Sell and service existing customers:

  • Develop and achieve sales and profit goals for all existing accounts.

  • Make customer calls and maintain regular contact with customers.

  • Accurately process all customer orders.

  • Responsible for the credit management and collections of accounts.

  • Provide customers with information on existing and new products, market trends, Company services, as well as providing consulting services to help customers increase profitability.

  • Arrange delivery days and times.

  • Pick up and deliver product to customers as needed.

  • Process and follow-up on customer complaints and concerns.

• Prospect and develop new customers.

  • Research information to develop leads for new customers. Develop and maintain a prospect list.

  • Call on prospect customers. Prepare and develop product presentations.

  • Identify features, advantages and benefits to the customer of buying from SYSCO.

  • Secure credit information and process new accounts.

• Maintain product knowledge by keeping informed of new products, market trends, industry information, and being advised of all Company services and procedures. Work with SYSCO specialists, merchandisers, manufacturing representatives, and brokers to obtain information on products and/or services.

• Monitor weekly reports, special sheets, customer bid files, and sales/gross profit margins.

• Attend and participate in general sales meetings, district meetings, food shows, and special events.

• Adhere to Company standards, procedures, policies, credit and collection policies.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be willing to travel up to 5 days per week and be willing to spend up to 4 nights per week on overnight travel.

• Must be willing to relocate upon acceptance of a Marketing Associate position and must reside in assigned territory.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED).  Food service and/or sales experience preferred.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or associates of organization.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discount, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Maintain a Driver's License meeting Company expectations; No OWI within the last three years or no multiple OWI within the past 10 years.  Must have reliable transportation with designated liability insurance coverage.  Complete a SYSCO approved defensive driving program.

Competencies:

• Persuasiveness, sales ability, and customer service orientation skills.

• Initiative and tenacity skills in a fast paced sales environment where rejection is constant.

• Communication, planning, organizational, and judgment/problem solving skills.

• Continually learn new job related information.

• Read, understand, and comply with all Company standards.

• Operate Laptop computer.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The associate is regularly required to drive, stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools and controls, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach with hands and arms and finger dexterity to operate a computer, calculator or other equipment; occasionally taste and smell.  The associate must regularly list and/or move up to 30 pounds; occasionally life up to 75 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The associate is regularly exposed to wet, humid conditions, outdoor weather with varying climate conditions, extreme cold or heat, and other challenges associated with travel.  The noise level is moderate.