Job Description

Note: This position requires frequent travel throughout the assigned market to support Hispanic and conventional grocery retailers. A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel to retail locations on a regular basis are required.

WHO ARE WE?

• We are a long-standing organization dedicated to supporting grocery retailers across the Intermountain West for more than 85 years.
• Our company prioritizes our team members, their families, and the communities we serve.
• We proudly partner with local organizations to fundraise, donate, and sponsor charitable activities and community events.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM?

• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), vacation, and sick leave for eligible team members.
• Career Growth: Opportunities to learn, develop, and grow within a stable and successful organization.
• Daily Pay: Access earned wages more frequently.
• Meaningful Work: Build relationships with independent retailers and help them grow sales, profitability, and success within their communities.

The Ethnic Foods Sales Specialist is responsible for building strong relationships with Hispanic and conventional grocery retailers while driving sales growth throughout assigned markets. This position serves as a trusted advisor to store owners and managers by providing product recommendations, merchandising support, promotional guidance, and exceptional customer service. The role collaborates with internal departments and retail partners to identify growth opportunities, improve product assortment, and support the success of retailers across multiple departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Hispanic grocery retailers, conventional retailers, and key decision makers.
• Conduct regular store visits to identify sales opportunities, review product assortment, evaluate pricing strategies, and support merchandising execution.
• Promote company programs, services, promotional events, new products, and Hispanic-focused product offerings.
• Drive sales growth by identifying opportunities across Grocery, Produce, Meat, Deli, Bakery, General Merchandise, and Fresh departments.
• Assist retailers in identifying product assortment gaps, category opportunities, and merchandising improvements that support increased sales and profitability.
• Communicate special buys, seasonal opportunities, rebates, and promotional programs to retailers.
• Collaborate with internal Purchasing, Marketing, Retail Services, and Category Management teams to support retailer needs and implement business initiatives.
• Develop and maintain sales activity reports, account plans, performance scorecards, and market information updates.
• Provide market intelligence regarding competitive activity, industry trends, emerging Hispanic consumer preferences, and growth opportunities.
• Participate in Hispanic Center of Excellence meetings, retailer events, trade events, and other assigned company meetings and activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Relationship-building and customer service skills with the ability to establish trust and credibility with retailers.
• Consultative selling skills with the ability to identify opportunities and recommend solutions that drive sales growth.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of grocery retail operations, merchandising practices, product assortment planning, and category management principles.
• Understanding of Hispanic food categories, cultural buying habits, consumer purchasing trends, and key Hispanic holidays.
• Time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities.
• Analytical skills to identify business opportunities, evaluate sales performance, and recommend solutions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and maintain productive working relationships.
• Negotiation, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and achieve results in a fast-paced environment.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience: Three to five years of grocery retail, merchandising, food distribution sales, wholesale grocery, retail counseling, or related industry experience preferred.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish required.
• Transportation: Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel regularly throughout assigned markets required.
• Industry Knowledge: Hispanic grocery retail experience preferred.
• Schedule: Ability to work a flexible schedule as business needs require, including travel to retailer locations, meetings, and events.
• Certifications: Any required food safety certifications must be maintained where applicable.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS

Work requires frequent travel to retail store locations and extended periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, and conducting store evaluations. The position requires continuous interaction with retailers, team members, and customers. Daily computer and phone use are required for communication, reporting, and account management activities. Must be able to drive for extended periods and work in varying weather and environmental conditions while traveling between locations. Work is performed in both office and retail store environments.

Associated Food Stores is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.