Description

At La Colombe we believe that being a good coffee partner means more than just offering a great cup of coffee. The Wholesale Team supports the city’s most talented chefs, restaurateurs, cafes, offices and hotels to ensure they execute consistent, high-quality coffee programs. An emerging market sales rep is responsible for increasing our footprint in an uncharted area. The Sales Representative will own the customer experience, assisting clients to implement and maintain a coffee program that meets La Colombe’s standard of excellence. Source, convert, and onboard new clients to meet business targets. Train and educate client staff on a routine basis in line with specialty coffee techniques. Visit clients, providing preventative maintenance and quality control on a regular cadence. Develop ownership of relationships with key hospitality professionals. 

The Sales Representative will display grace under pressure, eagerness to undertake difficult tasks, and a sense of urgency when needed. At La Colombe, no task is too small and the Sales Representative should embody this in all client interactions. 

AREAS OF IMPACT 

SALES Work with the Market Sales Manager to target high-value leads. Utilize CRM tools to track leads through the sales process and use La Colombe methodology to qualify leads. Negotiate and execute contracts in line with the equipment lending model. Create customized proposals to convert qualified leads into new clients and win business. Collaborate with the Market Sales Manager to develop and implement a strategy to win additional business with key accounts in the market. Expected to be in the market / at clients 4 to 5 days a week. Utilize outbound sales and relationship building to develop a New Business pipeline.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Deliver the highest degree of customer service at every stage of the customer experience with thorough, reliable, and timely responses. Communicate professionally with client stakeholders at manager, executive, and ownership levels. Anticipate and proactively take charge of difficult situations finding solutions for clients in line with La Colombe’s resources. 

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT Train baristas, service staff, and management on brewing techniques, extraction theory, and equipment maintenance. Host presentations, tastings, and demonstrations for groups of all sizes. Provide routine quality control and preventative maintenance visits. Assist technicians during installs, recipe setting, calibration, and technical service requests. Proactively manage accounts on a day-to-day basis. The aforementioned responsibilities are client-facing and in the field.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Provide consultation on all aspects of the coffee business; coffee equipment, product choice, layout design, and general business insights. Communicate and interact effectively with internal departments including client services, technical services, production, marketing, and retail. Work with the Food Service and National Accounts teams to execute complex deals. Maintain a flexible schedule allowing for, when needed, periodic travel, weekends, and after-hours work. 

INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE Stay current on new restaurant and hotel openings both locally and nationally. Participate in coffee-related events including trade shows, throwdowns, seminars, and other after-hours events. Seek out new coffee products, equipment, and industry trends. Establish relationships with chefs, managers, and hospitality staff to improve the network.

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Qualifications

• Passionate about coffee.

• 2 - 5 years experience in the hospitality, foodservice, or specialty coffee industry.

• Proven track record of success in your professional career.

• Positive and professional communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts.

• Must be a self-starter, a quick learner, and will have the ability to efficiently manage various high-priority responsibilities while keeping management informed. 

• Ability to work occasional non traditional hours.

• Occasionally assist lifting, moving, and/or carrying coffee equipment.

• Take safety seriously - stays current on changing CDC guidelines.

• Ability to travel locally (30 miles) and regionally (100 miles), (60%, 40%, respectively)

• Ability to travel for consecutive nights once per month.

• Valid driver's license and vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fine dining, specialty coffee, or 4-star hotel experience. 

• Sales experience preferred.

• Experience using CRM sales tools (Salesforce, Hubspot, etc.) 

• Experience with Microsoft/Google suite (excel, word, powerpoint or equivalents) 

• Problem solving, technical acumen and desire to learn.