Outside Sales Representative

As an Outside Sales Representative at Gordon Food Service, your key responsibilities will include cultivating new customer relationships and deepening existing ones while managing your sales territory. You'll research market trends, develop sales strategies, and regularly visit customers to determine their needs and explore areas for growth in sales. Your proactive approach will help ensure that you identify opportunities where our products and services can add significant value.

To become an Outside Sales Representative at Gordon Food Service, you will need a High School Diploma or GED, and while a Bachelor's degree or culinary certificate is preferred, it's not mandatory. Additionally, at least one year of previous sales, business, or food service experience is important. Maintaining a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record is essential, as is the ability to obtain your food safety certification when required.

Gordon Food Service is dedicated to supporting their Outside Sales Representatives through comprehensive training programs that include e-learning, classroom sessions, and mentorship from experienced peers. During your first 90 days, you will learn about the products we offer as well as effective sales and relationship management strategies that will empower you to succeed in your role and achieve your financial objectives.

The work environment for an Outside Sales Representative at Gordon Food Service is dynamic, engaging, and highly collaborative. You’ll have the autonomy to manage your territory while being supported by a solid team. The culture promotes servant leadership, respect, and the genuine pursuit of customer success, making it an inviting space for those who thrive on teamwork and relationship-building.

As an Outside Sales Representative at Gordon Food Service, you can expect a comprehensive range of benefits that include a competitive salary with performance-based compensation, a generous 401(k) matching program, low-cost health benefits for you and your family, a reimbursement plan for automotive expenses, and cell phone expenses. These benefits are designed to support your health, well-being, and financial growth.

When answering this question, focus on detailing your sales background, emphasizing any specific experiences that relate directly to the food service industry or outside sales. Discuss the types of clients you’ve worked with, your approach to relationship management, and any measurable outcomes or successes you achieved.

For this question, emphasize your relationship-building skills and methods. You could discuss the importance of active listening, understanding client needs, and following up consistently. Share specific strategies you've employed to foster strong connections, such as personalized communication or regular visits.

In your response, highlight any tools or systems you use to manage multiple client accounts efficiently. Discuss how you prioritize tasks, create schedules for visits, or log communication. Sharing specific examples of how you've successfully balanced competing priorities can strengthen your answer.

Here, showcase your research abilities and strategic thinking. Talk about how you analyze market trends, utilize networking opportunities, or leverage online resources to identify new prospects. Mention any prior success you’ve had in acquiring new clients and how you approached the process.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response effectively. Share a specific challenge you faced, the actions you took to address it, and the outcome of your efforts. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Discuss your approach to conflict resolution and customer service. Highlight the importance of empathy, active listening, and maintaining professionalism. Sharing a specific example where you turned a difficult situation into a positive outcome can reinforce your point.

In your answer, express your ambition while aligning it with the values and objectives of Gordon Food Service. Discuss how the Outside Sales Representative role fits into your overall career trajectory, and convey your enthusiasm for contributing to the company's success.

Highlight your admiration for Gordon Food Service’s long-standing reputation, commitment to customer service, and culture of servant leadership. Share how these values resonate with you personally and professionally, and your excitement about being part of their team.

Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning by discussing the resources you use to stay informed, such as industry publications, networking events, or online courses. Demonstrating that you proactively seek knowledge will showcase your dedication to your profession.

Discuss qualities such as strong communication skills, resilience, analytical thinking, and relationship-building. Provide a brief example illustrating how you embody these qualities in your work, showing that you understand what it takes to succeed in this role.