Now Hiring - Lucas James Talent Partners - Outside Sales Representative in Bolingbrook, IL

Full description of the position

Our client, Zepole Supply Co. is growing their 40-year-old, family-owned restaurant equipment and supply business headquartered in Bolingbrook IL, and are looking for someone who understands restaurants and wants to build their own territory. Since 1982, we've helped restaurants succeed with:

• Equipment design and installation
• Restaurant supplies and disposables
• Chemical programs
• Local service and expertise We proudly serve customers throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Territory Opportunity Randall Road Corridor Naperville, Aurora, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Elgin area. The Randall Road corridor is one of the fastest-growing restaurant markets in Illinois, with frequent new openings and strong independent restaurant activity. You will build relationships with restaurant owners, chefs, and operators while helping them with their supplies, equipment, and chemical program needs.

About the Role

This is a high activity outside sales role focused on finding and winning new restaurant customers.

• Expect to spend significant time prospecting, cold visiting restaurants, and building new relationships.
• The right candidate enjoys being in the field, meeting operators, and building a territory from the ground up.
• You will also manage and grow existing customer relationships. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on opening new accounts and developing long term customer partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Territory Growth & Prospecting

• Actively prospect for new restaurant, bar, caf, and hospitality accounts throughout the Randall Road corridor.
• Develop a weekly prospecting plan including cold visits, phone outreach, and networking within the foodservice community.
• Build a pipeline of new business opportunities and manage them through our sales funnel.
• Identify opportunities in new restaurant openings, ownership changes, and concept expansions. Account Management
• Manage and grow a base of existing Zepole customers.
• Defend accounts from competitors while expanding product categories and share of wallet.
• Develop strong relationships with owners, chefs, and operators.
• Products & Services
• Restaurant supplies to-go containers, disposables, small wares, tabletop.
• Dishwashing and chemical programs (supported by our Z-Chem service team).
• Kitchen equipment projects (supported by our Equipment Design team). Sales Execution
• Manage your territory pipeline and sales funnel.
• Track prospects, opportunities, and customer activity.
• Generate quotes and proposals in a timely manner.
• Monitor pricing, profitability, and customer buying trends. Order Management & Customer Support
• Enter and manage customer orders (in-person, phone, or email).
• Monitor customer accounts receivable and assist with collections when necessary.

Qualifications

• Restaurant industry experience such as chef, kitchen manager, GM, or restaurant operator is highly valued.
• Experience selling to restaurants (foodservice, beverage, POS, uniforms, linen, or services) is a strong plus.
• Comfortable making cold visits and building new relationships.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage an independent territory.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to succeed in a commission-driven, performance-based environment.

Compensation

• Base salary: $65,000-$75,000
• Transition to 25% uncapped gross margin commission structure as the territory grows
• Long-term earning potential $150K+ Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits

:

• Cell phone reimbursement
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bolingbrook, IL 60440