Sales Representative

Looking for a sales rep who wants to learn the straw business from the ground up. You will spend time in our Chino plant learning how we make PLA and PHA straws, then take that knowledge into the market. The job is to find customers, get in front of buyers, win their business, and keep it. We want this person to double annual sales in two years, at pricing that makes sense for CPG.  You will be responsible for strategically soliciting and developing new customers, while maintaining an excellent rapport with existing customers. Duties include identifying prospective customers, following up on sales leads, working with customers on product trials, and closing new business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Learn the extrusion process and the details that matter to a buyer: materials, straw sizes, performance, packaging, quality, capacity, and lead times.
• Understand where PLA and PHA products fit, how they differ, and what we can support with product documentation.
• Research customers with meaningful straw volume. Find out who buys, what they use today, what it costs them, and what would make them change to our straws.
• Make cold calls, book meetings, visit customers, and follow up. Turn those conversations into samples, trials, quotes, and orders.
• Work with the CPG team on pricing, product fit, and delivery. Stay close to new accounts through their first orders and earn repeat business.
• Keep a current list of prospects and opportunities, with a clear next step for each one. Review your pipeline with sales leadership every week.
• Capture customer feedback so we know what the market needs and where we can win.
• Works collaboratively with sales management to develop a sales growth strategy focused on margin growth and customer satisfaction
• Closes new business deals by coordinating requirements; developing and negotiating contracts; integrating contract requirements within business operations.
• Maintains CRM data with detailed record keeping of sales activities, including opportunities, calls, quotes, relationship status, customer contacts, etc.
• Communicates with customers and leads to identify and understand their needs; identifies and proposes products to meet those needs.
• Performs various special projects and other duties as assigned

How we will measure success

• First 90 days: Know the product and plant, build a qualified prospect list, and establish a steady rhythm of calls and customer visits.
• First year: Build a real pipeline, get product in front of customers, win initial accounts, and turn first orders into repeat orders.
• Within three years: Double the assigned straw business revenue while maintaining sound margins and dependable service.

Who will do well here

• You are comfortable picking up the phone, asking for a meeting, and getting out to see customers. You follow through after the first conversation.
• You are curious about how things are made & can explain technical details in plain language
• You keep track of your work, use CRM, & understand that a sale has to make financial sense
• You can work from the Chino plant and travel to customers across Southern California. Travel may expand as the business grows.
• Early career sales candidates are welcome. Experience in packaging, plastics, manufacturing, or foodservice would help, but we can teach the product.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Work is generally performed within an office environment with standard office equipment. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.