Sales Support Specialist

UNIVERSAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Mission of the Company by identifying and accomplishing team and individual performance goals that directly support the goals of the Company.
• Treat all co-workers, customers and suppliers with respect and in accordance with the Company’s Core Values.
• Follow all company GMPs and SOPs.

GENERAL SUMMARY

This position will be project management lead for executing action plans for existing and new customer products. The Sales Support Specialist will report to the Vice President of Sales and work collaboratively under the direction of the Business Development Managers (BDMs) for specific customer project execution. This position requires strong project management skills and attention to detail, proactive follow-through and superior communication skills with internal company partners and external customers. This on-site role will be a key part of our sales execution process and may involve up to 25% travel. If you have a demonstrated background as a dynamic sales and project management expert with a proven track record in planning and organization and have a professional goal to grow into a future business development manager role, we would love to hear from you.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with the BDM’s on current and future sales opportunities within the shelf stable and refrigerated products food segments that coordinate with The Suter Company’s capabilities, capacity, and values.
• Facilitate customer projects and timelines, ensuring internal and external communication and action plans are clear and accomplished on time.
• Represent The Suter Company and serve as the project management contact with customer accounts as assigned, understanding their needs and determining how best to ensure our customers’ success.
• Support the BDM’s in achieving revenue targets and business goals.
• Cultivate a partnering relationship with both internal and external customers, focusing on how to optimize their success and balancing that with The Suter Company’s capabilities.
• Participate in internal communications regarding all details related to the opportunities assigned. Coordinate with Supply Chain, Packaging & Regulatory, Customer Success, Product Development, Food Safety & Product Quality and Operations to ensure customer success.
• Prepare and present regular project status reports to internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with BDM’s to understand and report on customer margins, including freight variance, spoils, promotions, terms, guaranteed product, etc. monthly.
• Projects as assigned by the Vice President of Sales.
• Position may involve travel based on customer demand (up to 25%).

PERIODIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in The Suter Company business planning process.
• Actively participate in Sales Team activities, i.e. sales calls and meetings and special projects.
• Participate in weekly Product Development/Product Realization meetings.
• Commit to sensory training and weekly participation to support Product Development.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or project management, with a minimum of 3 years of combined experience in sales and project management within the food manufacturing industry.

KNOWLEDGE

• Strong project management, planning and organizational abilities.
• Working knowledge of the food manufacturing industry is preferred.
• Excellent presentation, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, Excel, Power Point, and Teams.

ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Reasoning – Comprehend several abstract and concrete variables; using logic or reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems
• Mathematical – Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers and perform arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Language Development – Ability to communicate information and ideas by speaking or writing so others will understand; ability to gather and organize information to write reports and/or articles for publication and sales material; can prepare and/or deliver presentations; interview, counsel or advise people; evaluate technical data.
• Physical Effort – Sedentary work: exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects; up to 25% travel.
• Professional – Ability to persuade others to change their minds or behavior; ability to handle complaints, settle disputes, resolve conflicts or otherwise negotiate with others.
• Vision – Far, near, mid-range vision, color identification, depth perception, field of vision.
• Activity – Talk, hear, walk, stand, finger dexterity (computer especially).

THE SUTER COMPANY BENEFITS (including, but not limited to)

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Wellness Programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ADA STATEMENT

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moderate noise, significant work pace/pressure.

This role description does not state that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as required.