Sales Consultant II - St Louis, MO

Who We Are

Guest Worldwide is a global collective of dynamic, industry-leading companies with more than 40 years of unparalleled experience serving the unique needs of diverse markets in every corner of the world. From providing full-spectrum hospitality and distribution solutions at Guest Supply® and manufacturing award-winning personal care amenities at Gilchrist & Soames, to manufacturing versatile and innovative product assortments that create smarter textile solutions at Manchester Mills, we’re proud to provide products to more than 25,000 hotels in over 100 countries. Guest Worldwide is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sysco – an industry leading, global food and beverage distribution company, employing thousands of employees worldwide and home to the 13th largest sales organization in the world. Learn more by visiting www.guestworldwide.com

Position Summary

The Sales Consultant is responsible for promoting the Company’s products and services by building relationships with new and existing customers in order to become our customers’ most valued and trusted business partner. This outside sales representative utilizes consultative selling techniques in order to maintain and grow sales of amenities, textiles, room accessories, paper, janitorial supplies, cleaning, FF&E and MRO products to hotels, management groups and/or additional markets within an assigned territory. The main focus of the Sales Consultant is to help the Company’s customers succeed while achieving sales and profit goals established by the Company. Sales Consultants receive a base salary with an opportunity to earn quarterly bonuses based on KPI achievement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for maintaining and identifying new sales opportunities within prospective and existing accounts. Make sales calls and presentations to develop and maintain a solid customer relationship to increase sales and category penetration.
• Utilize consultative selling techniques, product knowledge, ROI, system tools (i.e., Phocas, GForce and Salesforce.com) and sales training resources to effectively target new prospects and market growth opportunities.
• Continuously manage assigned accounts and take corrective action, as needed, to maintain and improve the overall customer experience.
• Regularly consult with assigned accounts as appropriate, including new products and services, company changes, holiday schedules, product pricing or information changes and new opportunities.
• Immediately notify management if an existing account is in jeopardy of discontinuing service or issues remain unresolved regardless of attempts to correct situation.
• Work with Accounts Receivable to ensure customers pay invoices within agreed upon terms.
• Regularly interact and communicate with various internal departments to provide vital information that may be necessary for servicing the customer. This may include advance notification to Merchandising of changes, increased or decreased product movement, new business, changes in proprietary product or other related information.
• Assist in the set-up of new accounts, including Customer Account Application (CAA), customer order guides, pricing, order schedules, files, etc. Coordinate with other departments as appropriate to meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Accurately forecast sales results and trends for a specific territory, group of accounts, etc.
  
  

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing or Business preferred.

Minimum Experience

• 3 - 5 years sales experience with proven record of sales success and history of accomplishments.
• Experience in hospitality or supply/distribution sales preferred.
• Experience in relationship sales managing new and existing customer opportunities and up-selling preferred.
• Experience with trip planning, territory routing and account prioritization preferred.
  
  

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and professional interactive skills as necessary to perform at a high level. Ability to communicate clearly via email and phone and effectively present information and respond to questions from management and associates. Capable of working with others in a proactive and constructive manner.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including planning, prioritizing and executing multiple initiatives autonomously while shifting priorities as necessary. Uses time effectively.
• Strong in person presentation, negotiation and closing skills with customers and prospects.
• Ability to think creatively and be solution driven.
• Active listening skills to understand and interpret solution driven selling. Aptitude for processing information and incorporating feedback for interactive business conversations.
• Capacity to convey ideas effectively and sell a variety of products.
• Professional demeanor, vibrant personality, and ability to instill trust with people.
• Goal-oriented and driven self-starter who can work within a team environment and strive to be the best.
• Familiarity with general finance concepts is required.
• Respond promptly to customer needs. Solicit customer feedback to improve service.
• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner. Gather and analyze information skillfully and develop alternative solutions as needed.
• Display willingness to make decisions. Exhibit sound and accurate judgment. Make timely decisions.
• The ability to approach others in a tactful manner. React well under pressure. Accept responsibility for own actions. Follow through on commitments.
• Demonstrate exceptional work habits, including punctuality and consistent attendance related to job role and customer and all company meetings, functions and conferences. Ensures work and customer requirements are covered when absent. Computer literacy, including familiarity in handling and maintaining a customer database and skills that include Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook) and Internet navigation.
• Familiarity with analytical software tools and CRM systems.
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• This position requires frequent travel to attend appointments, training sessions, staff meetings, company events and/or industry or vendor trade shows.
• May be required to utilize personal vehicle for business travel that may result in long periods of sitting. Must maintain a valid driver license and provide proof of current automobile insurance coverage as set forth by Sysco.
• If working remote, must have reliable internet connection and required software to ensure timely communications. Also, have a dedicated workspace free of any distractions, including noise, to participate in customer or conference interactions in a business-friendly environment.
• This position may require evening and weekend work depending on customer needs.