Specialist

Field Execution Specialist (Rolling Meadows, IL)

La Colombe's Field Execution Team brings the vision of the La Colombe brand to life in-store. We're a dedicated team. And it's easy to be dedicated when you're a part of something much bigger than yourself. We've got an insatiable appetite for making a difference for our customers and the consumer by delivering the world's best Ready-to-Drink Coffee within arm's reach of the customer, no matter where they are.

Our Field Execution Specialists will be responsible for enhanced in-store selling and directly influencing distribution, pricing, promotional and POG compliance within their territory. While in-market, these La Colombe team members will be responsible for up-selling, fulfillment/replenishment guidance with account managers, focusing on execution and merchandising for stores in the assigned area and by building the La Colombe business through new store acquisition. The Field Execution Specialist will own the execution of sales and merchandising plans designed to increase sales, profits and market share in their assigned territory

Responsibilities

• Spend 4-5 days a week (80% - 100% of your time) in the market as the face of the La Colombe Brand, interacting with customers, consumers and our distributor partners to grow the brand
• Execute and close sales calls to achieve target sales goals by influencing and partnering with DSS's (District Sales Supervisors) and AM's (Account Managers) at your local distribution branch
• Work closely with Account management and merchandising teams to influence orders and coordinate in-store execution, holding your distributor partners accountable to the in-store milestones
• Manage the timely execution of all sales programs and initiatives to ensure maximum sales and profitability for La Colombe and the retailer
• Sell-up promotional programs for incremental space and ensure customer compliance to trade calendars agreed to at the corporate buying desk
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to increase sales, space and productivity in an account while maintaining satisfactory customer service
• Maintain appropriate product inventory levels as a way of limiting out of stocks and proper merchandising behaviors by building relationships with your local bottling counterparts
• Represent the store-level customer point of view internally with reports on customer needs, problems, interests, competitive activities, and potential for new products and services; be the voice of the customer
• Transport, replace and maintain point of sale advertising as appropriate for accounts
• Pack out & merchandise La Colombe product needed to help support display & out of stock activity
• Support the brand with in-store demos, sampling and in market sampling support

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 0-2 years of experience or a combination of education and 5+ years of consumer products industry experience
• Strong selling skill set and ability to influence store/ownership personnel through fact-based data selling
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently within a large market and multitask across a large number of stores and to interact with adjacent stakeholders (bottler partners) to build relationships and scale in market through productive collaboration and constant communication
• Effective time-management & scheduling skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to effectively articulate field insights to management
• Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm for food & beverage industry
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; able to effectively communicate cross-functionally and through all levels of management
• Periodic lifting, bending, reaching and kneeling
• Occasional weekend work
• Must have a personal vehicle and excellent driving record for use during work hours
• 20% travel outside of home territory required