ABOUT ALBERT USTER IMPORTS

Albert Uster Imports, Inc. (“AUI”) is a privately held gourmet food company headquartered in the Washington, DC area (Gaithersburg, MD) with warehouse locations in Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gurnee and Gaithersburg. AUI falls under the Vestar Capital Partners portfolio with affiliate organization, Roland Foods, LLC.

Founded in 1968, the company offers over 1,400 products from around the world. We serve leading hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise lines, airlines, and manufacturers with innovative, high quality products and solutions to their most demanding culinary challenges. We operate a network of distribution centers across the U.S. and serve select international markets as well. AUI has a national direct selling organization of over 60 sales professionals and a staff of culinary experts (chefs and food scientists) adept at custom product solutions.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As an Inside Sales Representative for AUI, you will be assigned to specific territories and work in partnership with their Territory Managers to maintain a loyal customer base, while continually engaging a perpetual stream of prospects and developing new business. By building deep knowledge of AUI’s item assortment, brands and services, the Inside Sales Representative will work with our clients and potential new customers to help find the best products that meet their needs and provide solutions to better serve their business. In this fast-paced environment, the ideal candidate will be able to multitask on several different accounts and projects at the same time while focusing on providing the highest quality customer experience possible with shared clientele.

The Inside Sales Representatives at AUI thrive in a collaborative team environment while also demonstrating the ability to work independently. They are skilled at managing their time, organizing their territory, and staying self-motivated to drive results.

As a response to the pandemic, Albert Uster Imports office employees have transitioned to a hybrid working schedule, requiring employees to report in-person Monday through Wednesday, with the option to telework on Thursday and Friday each week. Due to the collaborative, cross-functional nature of the organization, employees at the Gaithersburg office are required to work in-person for the abovementioned days, outside of any People & Culture-approved disability accommodation request.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Inside Sales Representatives at AUI must work well in a team environment while being able to self-manage and motivate when needed. As an Inside Sales Representative part of the responsibilities include:

Develop efficient call logs and schedules to cover the assigned account base
Build and maintain positive relationships with current customers aimed at identifying their needs, introducing new products, creating solutions and building trust to ensure a smooth sales process
Generate new business across entire assigned territory through cold calling, canvasing inactive customer base, researching leads, and calling referrals
Maintain strong, respectful relationships with all cross-functional teams within AUI that contribute to the sales process and your success
Support Territory Managers by researching field visit opportunities and appointment setting to facilitate in-person engagement
Gather market intel on competition while maintaining CRM database to develop and execute sales strategies to grow AUI Fine Foods market share within the territory
Actively maintain accurate customer information in the CRM database

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required

General computer skills (Excel, Word)
Driven, self-motivated, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
Comfortability engaging primary contacts over the phone through targeted calls and cold calling, while effectively communicating the mission
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred

Culinary/food service experience
Sales experience
Organizational and people skills