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Outside Food Sales Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Outside Food Sales information

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$30K

$78K

$165.5K

How much do outside food sales jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for outside food sales in the United States is $78,042.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Outside Food Sales Representative, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Outside Food Sales Representative, you need strong sales acumen, knowledge of the food industry, and typically a background in business or hospitality. Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software, order processing systems, and sometimes food safety certifications is important. Excellent interpersonal communication, negotiation skills, and self-motivation help build lasting client relationships and drive results. These skills are crucial for meeting sales targets, expanding market share, and ensuring client satisfaction in a competitive industry.

What are some common challenges faced by Outside Food Sales representatives and how can they be overcome?

Outside Food Sales representatives often encounter challenges such as building relationships with new clients, navigating competitive markets, and meeting ambitious sales targets. Success in this role requires excellent communication, resilience in the face of rejection, and thorough knowledge of the products being offered. Staying organized, keeping up with industry trends, and being proactive in client follow-ups can help overcome these challenges. Additionally, collaboration with internal teams like marketing and customer service ensures that client needs are met and fosters long-term business relationships.

What are outside food sales?

Outside food sales involve representatives who sell food products and services to clients outside of a fixed location, such as restaurants, grocery stores, schools, or other businesses. These professionals typically travel to meet potential and existing customers, present products, negotiate deals, and build client relationships. Their goal is to increase sales, expand the customer base, and ensure customer satisfaction through regular communication and service. Outside food sales representatives often work for food distributors, manufacturers, or wholesalers.

What is the difference between Outside Food Sales vs Food Service Sales Representative?

AspectOutside Food SalesFood Service Sales Representative
CredentialsSales experience, industry knowledgeSales experience, industry knowledge
Work EnvironmentTraveling to clients, outdoor and on-site meetingsOffice-based, client meetings, and food service settings
Employer & Industry UsageFood distributors, manufacturers, wholesale suppliersRestaurants, catering companies, foodservice providers
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding sales roles in food distributionSales roles within foodservice industry

Outside Food Sales primarily involves traveling to clients such as restaurants or retailers to promote and sell food products. Food Service Sales Representatives focus on selling to foodservice establishments like restaurants and catering companies, often within an office or sales environment. While both roles require sales skills and industry knowledge, Outside Food Sales emphasizes fieldwork and client visits, whereas Food Service Sales Representatives may have more office-based interactions.

More about Outside Food Sales jobs
What cities are hiring for Outside Food Sales jobs? Cities with the most Outside Food Sales job openings:
What states have the most Outside Food Sales jobs? States with the most job openings for Outside Food Sales jobs include:
Outside Food Sales Representative

Outside Food Sales Representative

Gordon Food Service

Concord, NC

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Gordon Food Service rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 198 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

168th of 335 rated logistics


Job description

Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you...

Overview

For over 125 years, Gordon Food Service has delivered the excellence, expertise, and quality products our customers need to design successful food operations and experiences. We've grown to be the largest family-operated broadline food distribution company in North America by being passionately committed to the people we serve.

At Gordon Food Service, our customers come first. As an Outside Food Sales Representative, you will cultivate relationships, develop new business, and provide innovative solutions to our customers, helping them to achieve their goals and, in return, yours!

This position will reside in: Charlotte, NC.

Position Benefits
  • A generous 401(k) matching program that is above industry standards

  • Financial rewards for performance compensation structure which includes salary, commission, and bonuses

  • Low-cost benefit options for you and your family's health and future

  • An Automobile expense reimbursement plan

  • Cell phone reimbursement plan

Outside Food Sales Representative

We invite you to join our sales team where you'll experience a world where servant leadership and cutting-edge tools and training come together to support your career growth and financial objectives.

As an Outside Food Sales Representative, you'll be responsible for the overall sales and relationship management efforts for existing and prospective customers within your assigned territory. This includes pursuing new customers, deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships, and sales territory management.

Pursuing New Customers
  • Researching industry and market trends impacting restaurants within your territory

  • Identifying and researching prospective customers within your territory

  • Developing sales strategies that highlight products, services, values, and solutions offered by Gordon Food Service and presenting the sales strategy to prospective customers

Deepen and Strengthen Existing Customer Relationships
  • Visiting all customers within the assigned territory on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis

  • Conducting business reviews to determine existing customers needs and areas of opportunity for growing sales

  • Providing ongoing training to customers on Gordon Food Service product offerings

  • Identifying opportunities within existing customers businesses where Gordon Food Service can add value through product and service offerings

Sales Territory Management

  • Balancing new customers acquisition and deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships

  • Coordinating visits to prospective customers and existing customers

  • Communicating order status and order processing updates to customers


Sales Training - Getting you Ready

Gordon Food Service's goal during your first 90 days is to set you up for success! This includes engaging you in various training offerings, including e-learning, classroom sessions, video roleplays, job shadowing, and peer sales representative mentorship. Throughout your first 90 days, you will learn:

  • How to use Gordon Food Service systems, processes, and tools to manage customer relationships

  • About the products available to Gordon Food Service customers

  • The sales process for engaging new customers

  • How to establish your relationships in the vast network of resources available to you, a Gordon Food Service sales representative

  • Best practices on developing relationships with current and prospective customers

  • Strategies on how to effectively manage your territory

Position Requirements
  • High School Diploma/GED is required

  • Bachelor's degree and/or culinary certificate preferred

  • 1 year of prior sales, business, or food service experience

  • Maintaining a valid state driver's license and a safe driving record

  • Ability to obtain your food safety certification

Gordon Food Service encourages veterans and active military members to apply

BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words "Accommodation Request" in your subject line.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.

Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.


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About Gordon Food Service

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Since our 1897 founding, Gordon Food Service has grown to become the largest family-managed broadline foodservice distribution company in North America. While we've been growing pretty much continuously over these 125 years, we've remained consistent at the core of what and who we are: passionately committed to customers and employees. Being part of Gordon Food Service means being part of something important, something bigger than oneself.We take care of you as if you were part of our family by providing benefits that give choice and flexibility for what matters most to you. We aim to deliver a competitive package that not only supports you but also your family. Full-time employees are provided benefit options to support work-life and your need to take care of yourself and those close to you, including paid time off, 401k with company match, profit sharing, tuition reimbursement for you and the whole family, and more!We feel the culture when we work together, and when we serve together. As a team, we tackle our challenges, celebrate our successes, and have fun on the journey. Be part of it.

Industry

Food and beverage wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Wyoming, MI, US

Year founded

1897