Meat Sales Specialist - SD

Note: This position is based in South Dakota and services that area and a greater around, requiring frequent travel.

Your opportunity awaits at Associated Food Stores. If you want to work for a growing company with over 85 years of success, join our award-winning team! The AFS Corporate Headquarters, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, boasts numerous career opportunities in a fast-paced and ever-changing retail industry. Team members enjoy great benefits like tuition reimbursement, health insurance, 401(k) matching, employee discounts, and paid time off. Be part of a company that truly cares about your personal growth and giving back to the community through meaningful service and charitable giving.

We have a full-time position open for a retail Meat Sales Specialist! The Meat Sales Specialist works alongside the rest of the Member Retail Operations (MRO) Meat Specialist team at AFS to develop programs and policies in line with government regulations, create innovative methods for merchandising retail meat departments with new, relevant products, to become the most successful meat department in town!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the MRO Retail Meat Specialist Team.
• Problem solve for retailers, help train, merchandise, and grow sales and profitability.
• Build and maintain an excellent relationship with AFS Retail member stores and all AFS team members.
• Training Meat Managers.
• Setting meat/deli, frozen meat, and dairy cases according to schematics to increase sales and profits.
• Travel to MRO Retail member stores to direct, influence,e and help increase sales.
• Help member stores become more successful and profitable (a good deal of travel in this job position-with required overnight stays).
• Input plans and conduct the meat ad meeting.
• Be a voice for our Retailers on the meat items they want in their ads.
• Be on top of industry trends and changes. Educate the Retail Service team and AFS member stores on these trends and changes.
• Special projects: coordinate with the Procurement meat department on the annual Food Show and annual meat seminars. Facilitate the MRO meat specialist's weekly meeting and store events. Attend AFS meetings as the Meat Retail Service voice for retailers and team members.
• Report, plan, and schedule. Responsible for keeping the Meat team on budget for annual travel expenses and increasing sales. Budget sales for each MRO store by meat specialist, including yourself.
• The Meat Sales Specialist performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS 

• High School diploma or equivalent experience in the related field required.
• Food Safety Handlers Permit and Food Safety Manager Certificate required.
• 2 or more years of work experience in a related field.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a self-starter and motivator for the Meat Specialist Team.
• Able to work independently and in a group setting.
• Public speaking, verbal skills, computer skills, and exceptional follow-through are a must.
• Knowledge of all levels of meat operations, cuts, and regulations is required.
• Interprets and applies broad discretion and may serve as a technical authority in the application of methods.
• Administrative direction where assignments are based on broadly defined functional objectives and are directly accountable for results.
• Supervises a department or group of diversified functions where duties involve establishing procedures and performance standards. Activities impact the direction of more than one department. Requires continuous contact with internal groups and outside community groups to represent the company.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS 

Physical job requiring an individual to conduct retail store walks, physically move equipment and product; inspect areas that require bending, climbing, reaching, etc. Strenuous work, long hours on the feet, and sitting are required. Computer use and all functions are required occasionally. Continuous interaction with others. 

Will be driving in variable conditions when traveling to and from store locations. The job requires travel with overnight stays.

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.