Director of Value-Added Products & Services

Job Description

Job Description

FreshEdge is built on a united infrastructure of fresh food distributors collectively working to provide an unmatched assortment and service level across contiguous geographies via multiple locations and refrigerated facilities.

We look forward to adding to our team and continuing our growth.

Position Summary : FreshEdge’s portfolio of value-added products and services includes fresh-cut operations in Indianapolis (IN), Bartlett (IL), Norwalk (OH), Omaha (NE), Pittsburgh (PA), and Fort Walton Beach (FL), and a USDA fresh kitchen in Noblesville (IN).

FreshEdge companies service the foodservice, retail, and industrial processing / food manufacturing segments. The Director of Value-Added Products & Services is responsible for building a sustainable sales structure to allow for the growth and success of FreshEdge’s fresh-cut and fresh kitchen operations.

This is to be accomplished through his / her entrepreneurial spirit, strategic vision, sales leadership, and strong business acumen characteristics.

The Director of Value-Added Products & Services must align with the core values of FreshEdge customer-obsessed, passionate, relational, innovative, real, and ethical.

Essential Functions : Value-added when used below includes traditional processed fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products and accompaniments, USDA kitchen manufactured grab-n-go product lines, and other items which may be broken down, repackaged, and / or altered in different packaging to which value is added to the product other than just changing quantities.

• Analyze value-added market trends and continuously update trend reports and analytics
• Develop sales strategy to target independent retailers, regional national chain retailers, broadline foodservice distributors, independent foodservice distributors, wholesalers, meal-kit companies, industrial ingredient manufacturers, schools, institutional foodservice feeders, C-stores, independent restaurants, national / regional / chain / managed foodservice concepts, and other yet-to-be determined customer segments
• Utilize and maintain an active and accurate pipeline and touchpoint record within FreshEdge’s CRM
• Participate in and execute contracts and bids related to value-added products
• Collaborate with value-added OpCos to determine best product portfolios to sell to their various customer segments
• Cultivate a scalable K-12 product mix and marketing program to be leveraged across FreshEdge OpCos and marketplaces
• Exceed goals and KPI’s set for value-added performance, sales effectiveness, and pipeline development
• Collaborate with FreshEdge marketing functional area to develop specific POS materials for the above identified customer segmentations
• Consistently evaluate value-added purchases across all OpCos and transition purchasing internally wherever possible; determine most appropriate pricing structures and the best suited OpCo processor to support
• Present core program strategies and findings to Chief Commercial Officer and EVPs of Business Performance on a monthly basis for publishing to all FreshEdge OpCos
• Work with sales team(s) on customer educational processes on value-added products and services
• Continuously monitor customer needs and evolve value-added products and services to meet those needs

Competencies, Education, and Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Proven experience selling value-added products and services
• Foundational understanding and experience in value-added product management
• Proven ability to lead people and oversee large projects, including managing and developing new product lines to sell customers
• Experience in managing relationships with key customers
• Product management and marketing experience
• Fresh foods and produce distribution experience
• Extremely hard-working, conscientious, and loyal
• Strong interpersonal skills; great communicator and relationship builder
• Works effectively in a team environment; seeks to understand and collaborate within the organization
• Results focused; drives change management and continuous improvement
• Customer and product quality driven
• Understanding of food safety and quality assurance programs
• Business acumen, including financial, analytical, and qualitative reasoning skills; problem solver
• Understands and can organize financial reports and metrics towards actionable plans
• Innovative; thinks like an entrepreneur
• Quickly learns new concepts and technologies and converts them into solutions
• Decision maker able to prioritize and weigh both short- and long-term goals
• Works independent of constant direction, yet able to follow directions willingly and accurately

Physical Demands :

• Stand or sit for long periods of time
• Travel by auto or by flying commercial or privately as required

Benefits :

• Health & Welfare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Voluntary Life)
• Paid Time Off
• Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Weekly Paid
• Career Advancement Opportunities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or another legally protected status.