Solution Sales Representative - Sacramento, CA

Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. The Corporation has operations in 58 countries and markets branded products in nearly 200 nations. Sara Lee Corporation employs 137,000 people worldwide.Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world.  The company has one of the world's best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee, and Senseo.  Collectively, these brands generate more than $12 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 200 countries.  The Sara Lee community consists of 52,000 employees worldwide.  Position Summary: This position within the Coffee & Tea business will be responsible for new profitable business acquisition with independent foodservice operators in gaming and lodging, fine dining, mid-scale dining, casual dining, independent c-stores, independent coffee houses, independent colleges/universities.   Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Identifies, qualifies and sells business to new buyers.  Contacts and visits customers, provides solutions to business issues that face the customer.  Quotes prices and delivery dates, and provides customers with information pertaining to new product offerings or product improvements. Develop and execute sales presentations to support and grow sales volume. Assesses customer and key decision-makers’ needs and determines the appropriate sales message and sales solution to exceed customer needs.  Takes a lead role in the new account sales process, coordinating various resources to successfully close sales.  Responsible for prospecting and 'hunting'.  Tracks all activity on new customers on a weekly basis and reports to management. Builds and maintains network of colleagues, partners and customers to share information and obtain prospects.  Creates leads through networking and following up on others’ efforts.  Participates in trade shows to promote company products and to develop leads.  Provides marketing intelligence to sales management.  Participates in the preparation of sales plans, campaigns and business plans. Performs sales forecasting, account planning and other related sales administrative tasks to grow assigned business profitability.  Conducts territory analysis and planning to enable appropriate allocation of time to accounts and customers. Completes necessary administrative paperwork including invoices, analysis forms, etc.  Supports and participates in team sales initiatives where applicable by gathering and communicating pertinent information for assigned accounts. Responsible to ensure equipment payback is at the acceptable level or below in order to reach goal. Equipment payback is the number of days required to payback original equipment value with gross profit dollar. Bachelor’s Degree required Five (5) years experience directly related to sales Able to lift 50+ lbs is required Some work experience in the industry or in a related business is required Ability to close deals Ability to grow customer profits Ability to qualify leads Competent in using computer applications Competent in understanding core products information Proficient in assessing customer needs relative to products Able to utilize territory organization and time management skills Able to work independently with supervision as a member of a client and teamAn Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer