Southeast Sales Associate

Position Overview

Orlando Food Sales Inc. (OFS) is seeking a motivated, relationship-driven Southeast Sales Associate to help grow our business and strengthen our presence throughout the Southeast. This position will be based in either Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, GA, and candidates should reside within approximately 30 minutes of one of these areas. This individual will represent Orlando Foods and our premium Italian food brands while developing relationships directly with chefs, operators, restaurants, retailers, multi-unit groups, and other foodservice end users. The Southeast Sales Associate will be highly focused on end-user development, including identifying and prospecting new accounts, building relationships, conducting product presentations and tastings, developing new business, and identifying opportunities to grow existing accounts. This is a highly mobile, field-based position requiring extensive regional travel, strong organization, consistent prospecting, and disciplined customer follow-through. The position includes a travel allowance to support the extensive travel required throughout the territory. This is a great opportunity for someone with a culinary background who is interested in transitioning into sales, as well as someone looking to build experience in foodservice sales and business development. A traditional sales background is not the only path to success in this role—we value culinary knowledge, passion for food, relationship-building ability, curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn. The ideal candidate is relationship-oriented, curious, organized, persistent, and comfortable taking ownership. This individual should have a genuine interest in food and hospitality, enjoy being in the market with customers, and be motivated by developing relationships and creating new business opportunities. Success in this role requires the ability to work independently while remaining closely aligned with the Southeast Regional Sales Manager and the broader Orlando Foods team.

Key Responsibilities

End-User Development & Business Growth

• Build relationships directly with chefs, operators, restaurants, retailers, multi-unit groups, and other high-potential foodservice customers
• Develop and continually refine a targeted list of high-potential end-user accounts by market, customer segment, opportunity, and priority
• Consistently prospect for new business and convert outreach into meaningful customer conversations, meetings, tastings, and qualified sales opportunities
• Identify opportunities to increase volume within existing accounts through new product placements, product expansion, promotions, and additional applications
• Develop multi-unit and other high-potential accounts that can contribute to long-term territory growth
• Maintain consistent follow-up and move qualified opportunities from initial contact through product placement and ongoing account development

Customer Relationship & Account Development

• Conduct purposeful field visits with chefs, operators, restaurants, retailers, multi-unit groups, and other priority end users
• Build strong, long-term relationships by understanding each customer's business, menu, product needs, challenges, and opportunities
• Conduct discovery conversations and identify where Orlando Foods products can provide meaningful culinary or business value
• Develop new accounts while continually identifying opportunities to expand product usage within existing customers
• Maintain regular communication and timely follow-up throughout the sales process
• Develop relationships that lead to sustainable product placements and repeat business
• Coordinate with the appropriate internal resources as necessary to support customer needs and move opportunities forward

Product Presentations & Brand Representation

• Develop strong working knowledge of Orlando Foods portfolio, including product applications, quality standards, competitive positioning, and key differentiators
• Prepare and deliver product presentations, tastings, demonstrations, trainings, and culinary applications directly with end users
• Educate chefs, operators, and customers on product quality, applications, differentiation, and potential uses
• Confidently connect customer needs with appropriate Orlando Foods products and solutions
• Recognize when Orlando Foods culinary, technical, sales, or other internal resources can help support or advance an opportunity
• Support trade shows, culinary events, promotions, new-product launches, and other sales initiatives
• Represent Orlando Foods and our premium brands with professionalism, integrity, enthusiasm, and a strong service mindset

Territory Planning, CRM & Follow-Through

• Maintain an organized and forward-looking travel and market calendar in coordination with the Southeast Regional Sales Manager
• Plan market activity efficiently to ensure intentional coverage of priority end users, accounts, and opportunities
• Maintain complete and accurate CRM records, including customer contacts, visits, opportunities, follow-up activities, and next steps
• Consistently follow through on customer commitments, samples, information requests, introductions, and internal requests
• Maintain visibility into active opportunities and communicate progress, challenges, and support needs to the Southeast Regional Sales Manager
• Balance extensive travel and field activity with appropriate planning, CRM documentation, follow-up, and administrative responsibilities
• Use customer and market activity to continually refine territory priorities and identify where time and resources will have the greatest impact

Collaboration & Market Intelligence

• Work closely with the Southeast Regional Sales Manager and other Orlando Foods departments to support customers and advance sales opportunities
• Share relevant customer feedback, competitive intelligence, pricing information, product insights, and market trends with sales leadership
• Communicate challenges and opportunities early and involve the appropriate internal resources when needed
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Experience, Marketing, Culinary, Operations, and other internal teams to support customer and territory needs
• Share information and successful practices that may benefit the broader Orlando Foods sales organization

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience: Sales experience is preferred but not required. Experience in culinary arts, restaurants, hospitality, foodservice, or another relationship-driven environment is highly valued
• Education: A degree or educational background in Business, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts, or a related field is preferred; relevant experience will also be considered
• Business Development & Relationship Building: Comfortable prospecting for new business, initiating conversations, identifying opportunities, and building strong relationships with chefs, operators, and other foodservice decision-makers
• Communication: Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the confidence to conduct customer meetings, product presentations, tastings, and demonstrations
• Organization & Follow-Through: Highly organized, proactive, and accountable, with the ability to manage travel, customer opportunities, competing priorities, and consistent follow-up
• Independence & Collaboration: Able to work independently in the field while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with the Southeast Regional Sales Manager and internal teams
• Passion & Curiosity: Genuine interest in high-quality food and culinary applications, with a willingness to learn, accept feedback, and continually develop product and industry knowledge

Technical Skills

• CRM: Experience using a CRM to manage customer relationships, sales opportunities, activities, follow-up, and territory information is preferred. HubSpot experience is a plus
• Microsoft Office: Proficiency with Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and other common business applications
• Sales Technology: Comfortable learning and consistently using CRM systems, sales tools, and other technology necessary to effectively manage the territory
• Territory & Pipeline Management: Ability to use CRM and other tools to maintain an organized customer pipeline, document market activity, manage follow-up, and clearly communicate opportunities and next steps

Additional Requirements

• Residence in a strategically appropriate market within the Southeast territory, as agreed upon with Orlando Foods
• Valid driver's license and ability and willingness to travel throughout the Southeast, including frequent overnight travel and occasional national or international travel
• Ability to safely lift and transport product samples, marketing materials, and demonstration equipment as needed, with reasonable accommodation where applicable

What We Offer

• Compensation: $60,000 base salary with a performance-based bonus opportunity, providing the potential to earn up to $85,000 in total annual compensation
• Travel allowance to support the extensive travel required throughout the territory
• Competitive benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental
• After one year, eligibility to participate in our 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
• The opportunity to develop valuable experience in foodservice sales, business development, territory management, customer relationships, and culinary selling
• Extensive exposure to chefs, operators, customers, and the broader foodservice industry
• The opportunity to represent respected premium Italian food brands and build meaningful relationships throughout the Southeast
• The opportunity to directly contribute to the growth of Orlando Foods by creating demand and developing new business at the end-user level

If you're passionate about food, enjoy building relationships, and are interested in a career in foodservice sales, whether you're bringing sales experience, a culinary background, or looking for an opportunity to grow and develop in the field—we encourage you to apply.

About OFS

Since 1948, we have been at the forefront of importing premium Italian ingredients, evolving into a full-service sales, marketing, and logistics partner for renowned global Italian brands. Recognizing that food quality in America often falls short of Italy's exceptional standards, we set out to bridge this gap. Our mission is to improve food quality in North America by bringing the finest Italian flour, tomatoes, edible oils, cheeses, and preserved vegetables to our communities across the USA and Canada. By focusing on a curated selection of complementary products, we ensure expertise and deliver unmatched value to our customers. Our impact spans the continent, collaborating with foodservice distributors and restaurateurs to supply, educate, and train clients in the food industry and retail sectors. Join us in our passionate pursuit of culinary excellence and be part of a team that brings the authentic taste of Italy to North American tables.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Charlotte, NC 28220

Salary : $60,000 - $85,000