Inside Sales Associate

Inside Sales Associate

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. combines exceptional quality and brand building with broadline food service distribution for more than 40 years. With Protein, Specialty, Produce, and Broadline offerings, we service the most discerning chefs in a hybrid approach of convenience and superior quality. We introduce more than 4,000 artisan producers of the world's finest ingredients from over 40 countries to the finest chefs in the world. We passionately consult, sell, and build relationships with more than 50,000 customers through the most experienced network of over 600 consultive sales associates, best-in-breed technology, rapid service, and support levels that solidify our long-standing ties to both established and up-and-coming premium restaurants.

We are seeking a motivated and customer-focused Inside Sales Associate with a passion for produce and strong customer service skills. In this role, you will play a key part in generating revenue, retaining accounts, and fostering positive relationships with customers by providing outstanding support and service.

As the primary sales support for our Outside Sales Representatives, you'll manage accounts within your assigned territory and execute company sales strategies. Your day-to-day will involve a high volume of outbound sales calls, order management, and proactive customer communication—especially promoting and selling fresh produce to existing accounts.

The ideal candidate has prior experience in customer service within the produce industry or has worked in a grocery store or similar retail environment with solid knowledge of produce items. We're looking for someone who understands the importance of product freshness, availability, and quality, and who can confidently guide customers through their produce purchasing decisions.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys fast-paced environments, thrives on customer interaction, and wants to build a long-term career in produce sales.

What You'll Do:

• Report to work on time with a professional and positive attitude.
• Receive incoming calls from customers, prepare and expedite orders accurately.
• Use suggestive selling techniques to promote and sell produce items.
• Notify customers of items not ordered or out of stock and offer suitable substitutions.
• Review and input orders received via phone, fax, email, and voicemail with accuracy.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of all outgoing orders.
• Communicate closely with the Outside Sales team to address irregularities, customer requests, or special needs.
• Act as a key point of contact for your accounts and build strong, lasting relationships with customers.
• Work professionally with internal teams, customers, and vendors to maintain high service levels.
• Assist with special orders and maintain customer pricing lists.
• Provide backup coverage for Sales Representatives during vacations or absences.
• Spend approximately 85% of the workday on the phone managing customer communications.
• Participate in inside and outside sales meetings and activities.
• Log and document customer complaints using internal systems and contribute to quarterly reports.
• Handle other projects or tasks as assigned by the Sales Manager.

Who You Are:

• Customer service professional with experience in the produce industry or a grocery/retail setting where produce knowledge was required.
• High School Diploma required; college coursework or degree a plus.
• Previous inside sales, call center, or foodservice distribution experience strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of foodservice products, especially produce categories and vendor landscape.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a professional phone manner.
• Fast and accurate data entry and 10-key skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and goal-oriented.
• Able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize in a high-pressure environment.
• A team player with a collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus.
• Strong follow-through and attention to detail are essential.

Perks & Benefits:

• Paid Vacations, Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental and Medical Benefits
• Weekly pay
• Life Insurance
• 5% above cost for our high-quality food products
• Employee discounts for travel and events
• 401k
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Chefs' Warehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.