Entry Level Business Development Jobs in Hartford, CT

Are you an experienced Sales Professional, Restaurant Manager, Culinary Manager or Chef
looking for career development opportunities? Join HPC’s World Class Sales Team and explore all the benefits and perks.

Why you should join our Sales Team:

• Competitive base salary, bonus, plus promotional incentive opportunities
• Car allowance, gas card & cell phone provided
• Career pathing opportunities for both entry level, and experienced individuals
• Opportunity to be part of a purpose driven organization that supports communities and associates
• Specialized sales training
• Individual as well as team-based selling
• Opportunity to learn different ethnic segments

JOB SUMMARY

This is an outside sales position responsible for identifying sales leads, pitch goods and services to new and existing customers and maintain a good working relationship with new contacts. Assist district sales representatives in the development of prospects in their area, the goal being for those accounts to be managed by the district sales representative thus growing their business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop new business, penetrate existing accounts, and minimize lost business to achieve profitable sales growth and special objectives within assigned territory.
• Assist DSR’s with account penetration and growth based on initiatives set forth by HPC Sales Management
• Business Development Managers may be required to cover for DSR vacations, leaves of absence or terminations.
• Research customer business needs and develop a mix of products and service to meet needs.
• Present to and consult with mid and senior level management on business trends with a view to developing new services and distribution channels.
• Using knowledge of the market and competitors, identify and develop the Company’s unique selling propositions and differentiators.
• Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, and product uses. Provide product information and practical training to customer personnel.
• Participate in boarding and training of new sales hires.
• Drive personal vehicle to customer accounts, conventions, company meetings, etc.
• Communicate and collect accounts receivable as necessary, working with the credit department and client; collect all balances due based on approved credit terms.
• Ability to lift/carry laptop and product weighing 1-50 lbs, occasionally up to 75 lbs, to and from car, warehouse, customer locations, etc.
• Manage deliveries to the routing schedule published by the transportation department; troubleshoot any problems that occur during the order process (for example, out of stock items, special order items, low inventory, etc.).
• Actively participate in company functions, promotions, customer visits, and customer events. Attend and participate in general sales and district meetings.
• Review and analyze daily and weekly reports such as special - order requests, customer pricing files, and sales/gross profit margin data.
• Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, maintaining sales records, processing credits and pick-up requests, preparing sales quotes and menu suggestions, and filing reports.
• Meet or exceed all deadlines communicated by management regarding reporting and activity from your territory
• Participate in ongoing training sessions.
• Actively participate the training of new sales employees as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the ESL Team, or Director of Sales & Merchandising.

QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma required. Six months of sales, and/or chef/restaurant management experience, and/or related (Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality or Culinary Arts) degree preferred. Foodservice sales experience preferred. End-user experience a plus.

Basic PC skills and proficiency with MS Outlook and Excel. A demonstrable capacity to keep abreast of new technology trends, customer needs and possible application to real world projects.

Strong intrapersonal skills required to deal with diverse customer population as well fellow sales associates. Effective negotiating, problem-resolution, and persuasion skills. Solid presentation skills helpful. Ability to read, write and speak English.

Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Ability to drive yourself for company business. Current automobile insurance with the following limits of liability: Bodily injury - $100,000 each person and $300,000 each accident; property damage - $100,000 is required. Must pass a pre-employment screening (background check, MVR, drug screen).

We're an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.