Inside Sales Representative - CAIF | Naturally Sourced Solutions

Title: Inside Sales Representative

Job Functions Sales, Account Management

Reports to: Commercial Director

Location: Columbia, SC

**IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ ** Please do not apply if you are located outside of the United States. At this time, we are only considering domestic applicants located in states within the Columbia metro region who are qualified for the job. Thank you.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE CAIF is looking for a motivated and experienced Inside Sales Representative to join our growing team!

In this role, you will develop, implement & execute a sales plan that will support our business development strategies to grow opportunities with both existing customers and new prospects within our portfolio.

WHO YOU ARE

Entrepreneurial. A top-performing and forward-thinking leader who fosters a culture of productivity and accountability to improve performance and develop growth. 

Curious and Open-minded. An energetic and curious person with an appetite for continuous learning.

People-first. You are passionate about building relationships and interacting with other cultures. You love collaborating and sharing ideas. You understand that people are the core of our business and prioritize creating positive people experiences.

A Savvy Networker -You have outstanding people skills, you can leverage these relationships with nutraceutical contract manufacturers, commercial distributors, and food/beverage manufacturers when called upon.

Agile and Innovation-driven. You enjoy the challenge of exploring new markets and testing creative sales approaches in the Food and Beverages, Health, Wellness, Fitness, and Pet Food Industries. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and working with competing priorities. You can maintain composure and remain positive even under pressure. 

Results and Data-oriented. You are driven by efficiency, results and informed by data. You know how to identify problems and create informed, comprehensive strategies to make progress and get results.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Leverage your commercial skills to anticipate, translate and champion customer needs into real ingredient solutions, interacting with all levels of the client.
• Cultivate key account relationships, driving revenue and profit growth to deliver strong, sustainable financial results in competitive markets.
• Proactively identify opportunities within the assigned territory to promote our capabilities and portfolio with existing and new accounts, aiming for new business wins.
• Collaborate and communicate with CAIF´s internal partners to ensure seamless delivery of the best solutions for our customers, complete with exceptional service in all stages of the selling process.
• Develop account plans and sales strategies that incorporate the North American sales initiatives.
• Prepare and present sales budgets, conduct forecasts, and control expenses in alignment with budgets.
• Negotiate customer contracts and participate in defining product pricing strategy (adjusted to changing market needs).
• Maintain extensive business knowledge to stay on top of competitive industry activities, pricing, and new business opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS - What You'll Need to Succeed

• An understanding of the Botanical extracts, Fruit & Vegetable powders and Flavors product categories and an unmistakable persuasive ability to market them to food & beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical supplement and pet food/animal nutrition manufacturers.
• Excellent verbal and written communicator with compelling presentation skills, acute business acumen and strong analytical skills.
• Ample confidence in consultative selling, upselling, cross-selling and work delivery oversight. 
• Interpersonal savviness with the ability to promote synergy and effectiveness within a cross-functional team in a respectful and harmonious way. You must be adept at interacting effectively with all levels of internal and external personnel, including: executives, administrators, staff, independent contractors and vendors from a variety of ethnic, social, and educational backgrounds to provide information, identify problems, and develop solutions.    
• Proven competency in managing multiple projects and complex activities simultaneously.
• Confirmed negotiation skills and strong organizational + time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build, leverage and maintain strong customer relationships to generate sales & profitability.
• You need to be self-motivated, reliable, organized, detail-oriented and results-driven. We value work ethic and integrity.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study: Business, Food Science or Chemistry, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• 3-5 years of sales experience, particularly in the Natural Ingredients/Flavors, Food & Beverage, or Supplements industry.
• Demonstrated and measurable success in the following areas of account management, strategic account development, sales potential identification, and forecasting.
• Strong self-learning ability to quickly learn and familiarize yourself with our product lines and their associated health benefits.
• Consistent track record of managing and penetrating complex accounts while delivering high ticket results. Preferably processors/manufacturers within the selected industry.
• Knowledge of various software, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Salesforce, SAP.

Preferred

• Proficiency in a foreign language.
• Strong knowledge of the Botanical extracts, Fruit & Vegetable powders and Flavors product categories.

Your Application We’re excited to hear from you! To apply for Team CAIF, please upload your current resumé and cover letter. Final candidate subject to background check. CAIF is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.  

Seniority Level Associate

Employment Type Full-time

Category

Salary, Exempt

Industry Botanicals & Extracts, Food & Beverages, Health, Wellness, Fitness, Wholesale

ABOUT CAIF CAIF is the gateway to Latin American ingredients, striving to promote a better life. We offer innovative state-of-the-art solutions in sourcing, production, and distribution of natural ingredients for the food & beverage, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. Our portfolio covers an array of selected botanical extracts, fibers, colors, flavors, fruits and vegetables in powder and flake forms. CAIF’s deep understanding of the market, acquired throughout years of experience servicing both customers and partner manufacturers, enables us to offer the best product fit for each of our customer’s needs.