District Sales Representative - Mankato

IntroductionMcKee Foods has a long history of innovation and a deeply-held belief in doing business the right way — with honesty and integrity every step of the way. The McKee family is still actively involved in guiding our overall business direction as well as our day-to-day operations.OverviewMcKee Foods is a privately held, family-run company with a history of innovation and a deeply held belief in the importance of doing business with integrity. Founded in 1934 and employing more than 6,000 people corporate-wide, McKee bakes and sells America’s leading snack cake brand, Little Debbie. With annual sales over $1 Billion, McKee’s products are sold in 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and U.S. military commissaries overseas. The ideal candidate will possess direct-store delivery (DSD) sales growth in a food, beverage, grocery, or retail environment as a District Sales Manager, Route Sales Representative, Territory Sales Manager, Market Sales Lead, Team Lead, Merchandising Supervisor, Grocery Manager.What You’ll Do as a District Sales Representative:The District Sales Representative is responsible for customer development, customer relations and communication with independent wholesale distributors and retailers. Provide sales assistance to distributors and assist them with growing sales of snack cake products.Highlights:• Growth: Company is experiencing record sales and continual growth nationwide.• Stability: Privately held company, nearly 30% of the workforce has been with the organization for 20 years or more. Company has less than 3% turnover nationwide.• Values: This organization values their employees; they believe employees are family! Stability is vital for families. At this organization they value the family - both employees’ family and the company family.Responsibilities• Build strong business relationships with each independent distributor in the district through sales assistance.• Recruit and appoint quality candidates for distributorships.• Offer quality orientation to new independent distributors.• Act as liaison between McKee Foods and independent distributors.• Develop good relationships with retailers in the district.• Gain authorizations for products/product lines, space and promotions with retailers.• Communicate with independent distributors on a regular basis.• Encourage and assist independent distributors with developing business plans.• Operate a company sales territory when needed and bring the DSR balance to zero within four weeks of ending the territory.• Assist Distributor Accounts and Retail Accounts Receivable.• Comply with FSO practices and procedures.• Operate a company vehicle on a daily basis.• Communicate job information to accomplish work tasks.• Exercise personal safety on the job and demonstrate a commitment to the safety of others and our products.Requirements• 2+ total years of account management and or sales leadership experience in the food & beverage or grocery industry.• Territory includes Owatonna, Faribault, Albert Lea, Fairmont, Worthington, Austin, Mankato, New Ulm, Wilmar, Redwood Falls, Montevideo, Marshall, Paynesville, Kasson, Cannon Falls, Northfield, Minnesota; and Estherville, Armstrong and Swea City, Iowa. Job holder needs to live in Mankato, New Ulm, Hutchinson or willing and able to relocate upon accepting a job offer.• Ability to develop accounts and build rapport with new and existing clients and distributors.• Solid MS Office Skills.• Ability to work from home.• Early riser – days typically start at 4:00 AM• Clear driver’s record.• Advanced degree, training or military experience is highly preferred.