Inside Sales- Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Inside Sales Representative (Food Ingredient Manufacturer)

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL (Full-Time, On-Site: 8:00am – 5:00pm)
Employment Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Salary Range: $50,000 – $70,000 per year + up to 15% annual performance bonus
Reports To: Director of Distribution Partners
FLSA: Exempt

Company Overview

A global food ingredient manufacturer is seeking an energetic and motivated Inside Sales Representative to join its U.S. corporate office. This role plays a critical part in supporting sales activities, managing key customer relationships, and contributing to business growth across North America.

Position Summary

The Inside Sales Representative will be responsible for managing customer accounts, supporting external sales efforts, coordinating with distribution partners, and driving revenue growth through proactive communication and relationship building. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, a professional demeanor, and a passion for customer engagement.

This position offers the potential for career advancement to an Outside Sales / Account Executive role over time.

Key Responsibilities
Support sales operations and account management for assigned distribution and direct customers.
Proactively communicate with customers via phone and email to manage orders, inquiries, and follow-ups.
Develop new leads and maintain strong relationships with existing clients.
Prepare and deliver product presentations and quotations.
Collaborate closely with the Director of Distribution Partners and field sales team.
Track and manage opportunities and activities using Salesforce CRM.
Participate in regional trade shows (primarily IFT Supplier Events) and occasional customer visits.
Maintain accurate sales reports and customer data using Microsoft Excel and Salesforce.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; Food Science or related field preferred but not mandatory.
4–5+ years of experience in inside sales, sales support, or account management (food ingredient or food manufacturing industry experience is a major plus).
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills (native-level English).
Confident, professional phone presence; fearless in outbound calls.
Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
Team-oriented with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Technical Skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Salesforce CRM – strong familiarity required; certification or advanced proficiency a major plus.
Comfortable with professional networking tools such as LinkedIn.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary: $50,000 – $70,000/year, commensurate with experience.
Performance Bonus: Up to 15% of base salary.
Health & Dental Insurance: Company covers 90% of employee premium.
401(k) Plan: Available after one year of employment.
Career Path: Potential transition to Outside Sales / Account Executive role based on performance.