Retail Sales Specialist - Ethnic Foods (Bilingual) in Salt Lake City, Utah at Associated Food Stores, Inc

Note: This position is primarily office-based and supports Hispanic and conventional grocery retailers through account management, sales support, product recommendations, and business development activities. Occasional travel to retailer locations, meetings, or events may be required. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required

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• We are a long-standing organization dedicated to supporting grocery retailers across the Intermountain West for more than 85 years.
• Our company prioritizes our team members, their families, and the communities we serve.
• We proudly partner with local organizations to fundraise, donate, and sponsor charitable activities and community events.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), vacation, and sick leave for eligible team members.
• Career Growth: Opportunities to learn, develop, and grow within a stable and successful organization.
• Daily Pay: Access earned wages more frequently.
• Meaningful Work: Build relationships with independent retailers and help them grow sales, profitability, and success within their communities.

The Ethnic Foods Sales Specialist is responsible for building strong relationships with Hispanic and conventional grocery retailers while supporting sales growth throughout assigned markets. This position serves as a trusted advisor to store owners and managers by providing product recommendations, merchandising support, promotional guidance, and exceptional customer service. The role collaborates with internal departments and retail partners to identify growth opportunities, improve product assortment, and support the success of retailers across multiple departments.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Hispanic grocery retailers, conventional retailers, key decision makers, and internal fresh and center store category managers and buyers to support effective product selection and retailer success.
• Conduct regular store visits to identify sales opportunities, review product assortment, evaluate pricing strategies, and support merchandising execution.
• Promote company programs, services, promotional events, new products, and Hispanic-focused product offerings.
• Drive sales growth by identifying opportunities across Grocery, Produce, Meat, Deli, Bakery, General Merchandise, and Fresh departments.
• Assist retailers in identifying product assortment gaps, category opportunities, and merchandising improvements that support increased sales and profitability.
• Communicate special buys, seasonal opportunities, rebates, and promotional programs to retailers.
• Generate sales growth by increasing purchases within assigned retailer accounts and identifying opportunities to expand product assortments and category performance.
• Collaborate with internal Purchasing, Marketing, Retail Services, and Category Management teams to support retailer needs and implement business initiatives.
• Develop and maintain sales activity reports, account plans, performance scorecards, and market information updates.
• Provide market intelligence regarding competitive activity, industry trends, emerging Hispanic consumer preferences, and growth opportunities.
• Participate in Hispanic Center of Excellence meetings, retailer events, trade events, and other assigned company meetings and activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

• Relationship-building and customer service skills with the ability to establish trust and credibility with retailers.
• Consultative selling skills with the ability to identify opportunities and recommend solutions that drive sales growth.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of grocery retail operations, store layout, merchandising practices, department operations, product assortment planning, category management principles, and customer relations.
• Understanding of Hispanic food categories, cultural buying habits, consumer purchasing trends, and key Hispanic holidays.
• Time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities.
• Analytical skills to identify business opportunities, evaluate sales performance, and recommend solutions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and maintain productive working relationships.
• Negotiation, influencing, problem-solving, strategic thinking, market development, and results-oriented business planning skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and achieve results in a fast-paced environment.

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience: Three to five years of grocery retail, merchandising, food distribution sales, wholesale grocery, retail counseling, category management, or related industry experience preferred.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish required.
• Transportation: Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required. Occasional travel to retailer locations, meetings, and company events may be required.
• Industry Knowledge: Hispanic grocery retail experience preferred.
• Schedule: Ability to work a flexible schedule as business needs require, including occasional attendance at retailer locations, meetings, trade events, and company functions.
• Certifications: Any required food safety certifications must be maintained where applicable.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires prolonged periods of sitting, computer use, phone communication, and interaction with retailers, customers, and team members. Occasional travel to retailer locations, meetings, trade events, and company functions may be required. The position may require standing, walking, bending, reaching, and handling product samples or promotional materials on an occasional basis. Daily verbal and written communication, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities in a professional office setting, are essential.

Associated Food Stores is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.