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Position Summary:
Provide development opportunities for the Customer Development Specialist (CDS). Oversee and provide direction to enhance relationships and growth opportunities with customers. Reports, analyzes and communicates data regarding the achievement of goals. Oversees and monitors training activities for direct reports and participates in Gordon Food Service and customer related activities.
Essential Functions:
Provides development opportunities and mentoring to CDS’ and develops succession plan for area managed. Collaborates with CDS to identify goals and objectives, provide regular and candid feedback through evaluations or coaching sessions, assigning responsibility for projects and other methods of “leading” people.
Oversees development of business plans for territory and customers. Assist with new account development and visit key customers to build relationships and to assist with the resolution of serious customer concerns. Collaborates with operation teams to meet customer service expectations.
Collaborates with Regional Chain Managers and National Chain Managers, Category Specialists and Customer Segment Leaders to meet the needs of the customers through the support of the Division’s sales and marketing plans.
Reviews and analyzes weekly and monthly reports to improve sales, margin, manage accounts receivable, develop staff, and to identify problems and solutions. Develops and submits periodic reports on area progress, and issues to direct supervisor.
Conducts reviews of performance to plan and modify or realign where necessary to achieve plan. Ensures that CDS skills meet requirements by providing and monitoring application effectiveness of training as detailed in the CDS Curriculum. Provides ongoing CDS training with an emphasis on “in the car” ride-with programs.
Maintains visibility with key customers, segments or associations. Participates in food shows, regional customer events, customer segment shows and customer trips to headquarters. Plans and facilitates either alone or in conjunction with sales managers periodic meetings or activities for the region and/or division managed.
Oversee the development of targets for individual CDS’ and collaborate with direct supervisor to develop and meet goals that support the Region, Division and US goals and visions including sales, margin, new business and others as appropriate. Regularly review goal results.
Collaborates with direct supervisor to make expense recommendations for their team during the Annual Operating Planning process each year (and manages the markets AOP - Noncommercial only).
Maintains knowledge of segment through industry magazines and local culinary organizations
Demonstrates and delivers understanding of Foodservice Industry and operations
Understands areas of customer focus, including Sales Building, Staffing, Profitability, and Compliance
Interviews, hires, trains, and retains sales staff. Conducts performance monitoring of staff, initiating follow through with disciplinary action and termination in consultation with Human Resources when appropriate for the department. Mentors, motivates, and develops staff and acts as a role model and resource to them.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:
This position requires excellent supervisory, customer service, problem solving, interpersonal, communication, and mentoring skills to represent the department, speak at minor functions, and resolve vendor problems.
Must have good time management, administration, collaboration and organizational skills to understand and assist in developing relationships between sales, transportation and the customer.
Must be able to develop, refine, communicate, and implement plans.
Must have industry and segment knowledge and be able to analyze and interpret data.
Must be a strategic thinker in order to build relationships, network, and link resources to plan and execute business practices and achieve business goals.
Must be able to develop profitability models and other analytical tools.
Must be able to read and interpret complex documents and have very good mathematical aptitude.
Must be able to work “exceptional” hours including evenings and weekends.
Must possess good evaluation, feedback, and training skills.
Must maintain a valid state driver's license and safe driving record per GFS policy.
High school or equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree preferred. Four or more years previous sales or business experience with an understanding of segment needs, customer and business requirements, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.
Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line. Please keep in mind this method is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.
All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.
Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and drug tests all employees.