Sales Representative - San Jose, CA
The Sales Representative at Confidential Client is responsible for outside sales activities within the San Jose, CA territory, focusing on developing new business and maintaining existing accounts to achieve sales and profit goals. This role involves building strong customer relationships, providing product knowledge and training, managing deliveries, and participating in sales meetings and training, with significant travel required. The position offers competitive compensation, career development opportunities, and requires a valid driver's license and ability to work some non-traditional hours.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by Confidential Client, Sales (Foodservice Distribution).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential Client is hiring an Outside Sales Representative for an assigned territory in San Jose, CA. This outside sales role focuses on building and growing foodservice accounts (restaurants, chefs, culinary managers and foodservice operators) by delivering product expertise, service solutions, and profit-focused recommendations. This position requires territory-based travel (up to 75%) and living no more than one hour (with traffic) from the San Jose territory or relocating independently.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $53,000 – $88,400 per year (complies with California pay transparency rules)
- Eligibility for incentive/bonus programs and promotional incentives
- Car allowance (or CA mileage reimbursement) and company cell phone provided
- Robust benefits including Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 401(k) with matching
- Specialized sales training, recognition programs, and career pathing opportunities
Why Join
- Work with a market-leading foodservice distributor and a purpose-driven sales team
- Regular sales training and development, plus clear promotion pathways
- Opportunity for individual and team-based selling and monthly/annual rewards
- Exposure to varied ethnic segments and menu development opportunities
Job Summary
This is an outside, territory-based sales role. You will promote products and services, develop new and existing accounts, and achieve sales and profit goals for the assigned territory. The role may require working non-traditional hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) to meet customer needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop new business and penetrate existing accounts to achieve profitable sales growth
- Follow account stratification goals to identify and qualify prospects
- Recommend product mixes and solutions tailored to customer needs and market trends
- Provide product information, training, and value-added services to customer staff
- Communicate with customers about pricing, availability and product use
- Drive personal vehicle to customer accounts, conventions, and meetings
- Collaborate with credit/operations to manage receivables and delivery issues
- Prepare sales budgets, quotes, menu suggestions, and sales reports
- Attend sales and district meetings; participate in promotions and customer events
- Train new employees as requested and engage in ongoing professional development
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Culinary Arts or related discipline OR HSD/GED plus 3 years restaurant management, B2B/outside sales, or equivalent experience
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Current automobile insurance meeting stated limits (Bodily injury $100,000/$300,000; Property damage $100,000)
- Willingness to submit to pre-employment testing (drug screen, background check) and to sign required protective covenants
- Must reside or be willing to relocate near the assigned territory (San Jose, CA)
- Basic PC skills and proficiency with MS Office
- Ability to read, write and speak English; bilingual candidates preferred
- Preferred: prior restaurant management, chef, or foodservice outside sales experience
Core Competencies
- Building Trust and Customer Loyalty
- Sales Ability / Persuasiveness and Follow-up
- Time and Work Management
- Adaptability and Communication
Location & Travel
Territory: San Jose, CA (Zip 94538). Must live within approximately one hour (with traffic) of the territory or relocate on your own. Travel up to 75% required.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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