US Manager, Commercial Sales
Company: Gordon Food Service
Location: Durham
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are
thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story
to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact
you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our
table for you Position Summary: Provide development opportunities
for the Customer Development Specialist (CDS). Oversee and provide
direction to enhance relationships and growth opportunities with
customers. Reports, analyzes and communicates data regarding the
achievement of goals. Oversees and monitors training activities for
direct reports and participates in Gordon Food Service and customer
related activities. What you will do: Provides development
opportunities and mentoring to CDS’ and develops succession plan
for area managed. Collaborates with CDS to identify goals and
objectives, provide regular and candid feedback through evaluations
or coaching sessions, assigning responsibility for projects and
other methods of “leading” people. Oversees development of business
plans for territory and customers. Assist with new account
development and visit key customers to build relationships and to
assist with the resolution of serious customer concerns.
Collaborates with operation teams to meet customer service
expectations. Collaborates with Regional Chain Managers and
National Chain Managers, Category Specialists and Customer Segment
Leaders to meet the needs of the customers through the support of
the Division’s sales and marketing plans. Reviews and analyzes
weekly and monthly reports to improve sales, margin, manage
accounts receivable, develop staff, and to identify problems and
solutions. Develops and submits periodic reports on area progress,
and issues to direct supervisor. Conducts reviews of performance to
plan and modify or realign where necessary to achieve plan. Ensures
that CDS skills meet requirements by providing and monitoring
application effectiveness of training as detailed in the CDS
Curriculum. Provides ongoing CDS training with an emphasis on “in
the car” ride-with programs. Maintains visibility with key
customers, segments or associations. Participates in food shows,
regional customer events, customer segment shows and customer trips
to headquarters. Plans and facilitates either alone or in
conjunction with sales managers periodic meetings or activities for
the region and/or division managed. Oversee the development of
targets for individual CDS’ and collaborate with direct supervisor
to develop and meet goals that support the Region, Division and US
goals and visions including sales, margin, new business and others
as appropriate. Regularly review goal results. Collaborates with
direct supervisor to make expense recommendations for their team
during the Annual Operating Planning process each year (and manages
the markets AOP - Noncommercial only). Maintains knowledge of
segment through industry magazines and local culinary organizations
Demonstrates and delivers understanding of Foodservice Industry and
operations Understands areas of customer focus, including Sales
Building, Staffing, Profitability, and Compliance Interviews,
hires, trains, and retains sales staff. Conducts performance
monitoring of staff, initiating follow through with disciplinary
action and termination in consultation with Human Resources when
appropriate for the department. Mentors, motivates, and develops
staff and acts as a role model and resource to them. Performs other
duties as assigned. When you will work: Monday through Friday,
8:00am - 5:00pm. Hybrid Work Schedule: 4 days in office, 1 day from
home. What you'll bring to the table: Must maintain a valid state
driver's license and safe driving record per GFS policy. High
school or equivalent required. Bachelor's Degree preferred. Four or
more years previous sales or business experience with an
understanding of segment needs, customer and business requirements,
or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
This position requires excellent supervisory, customer service,
problem solving, interpersonal, communication, and mentoring skills
to represent the department, speak at minor functions, and resolve
vendor problems. Must have good time management, administration,
collaboration and organizational skills to understand and assist in
developing relationships between sales, transportation and the
customer. Must be able to develop, refine, communicate, and
implement plans. Must have industry and segment knowledge and be
able to analyze and interpret data. Must be a strategic thinker in
order to build relationships, network, and link resources to plan
and execute business practices and achieve business goals. Must be
able to develop profitability models and other analytical tools.
Must be able to read and interpret complex documents and have very
good mathematical aptitude. Must be able to work “exceptional”
hours including evenings and weekends. Must possess good
evaluation, feedback, and training skills. Position Summary:
Provide development opportunities for the Customer Development
Specialist (CDS). Oversee and provide direction to enhance
relationships and growth opportunities with customers. Reports,
analyzes and communicates data regarding the achievement of goals.
Oversees and monitors training activities for direct reports and
participates in Gordon Food Service and customer related
activities. Essential Functions: Provides development opportunities
and mentoring to CDS’ and develops succession plan for area
managed. Collaborates with CDS to identify goals and objectives,
provide regular and candid feedback through evaluations or coaching
sessions, assigning responsibility for projects and other methods
of “leading” people. Oversees development of business plans for
territory and customers. Assist with new account development and
visit key customers to build relationships and to assist with the
resolution of serious customer concerns. Collaborates with
operation teams to meet customer service expectations. Collaborates
with Regional Chain Managers and National Chain Managers, Category
Specialists and Customer Segment Leaders to meet the needs of the
customers through the support of the Division’s sales and marketing
plans. Reviews and analyzes weekly and monthly reports to improve
sales, margin, manage accounts receivable, develop staff, and to
identify problems and solutions. Develops and submits periodic
reports on area progress, and issues to direct supervisor. Conducts
reviews of performance to plan and modify or realign where
necessary to achieve plan. Ensures that CDS skills meet
requirements by providing and monitoring application effectiveness
of training as detailed in the CDS Curriculum. Provides ongoing CDS
training with an emphasis on “in the car” ride-with programs.
Maintains visibility with key customers, segments or associations.
Participates in food shows, regional customer events, customer
segment shows and customer trips to headquarters. Plans and
facilitates either alone or in conjunction with sales managers
periodic meetings or activities for the region and/or division
managed. Oversee the development of targets for individual CDS’ and
collaborate with direct supervisor to develop and meet goals that
support the Region, Division and US goals and visions including
sales, margin, new business and others as appropriate. Regularly
review goal results. Collaborates with direct supervisor to make
expense recommendations for their team during the Annual Operating
Planning process each year (and manages the markets AOP -
Noncommercial only). Maintains knowledge of segment through
industry magazines and local culinary organizations Demonstrates
and delivers understanding of Foodservice Industry and operations
Understands areas of customer focus, including Sales Building,
Staffing, Profitability, and Compliance Interviews, hires, trains,
and retains sales staff. Conducts performance monitoring of staff,
initiating follow through with disciplinary action and termination
in consultation with Human Resources when appropriate for the
department. Mentors, motivates, and develops staff and acts as a
role model and resource to them. Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities: This position requires excellent
supervisory, customer service, problem solving, interpersonal,
communication, and mentoring skills to represent the department,
speak at minor functions, and resolve vendor problems. Must have
good time management, administration, collaboration and
organizational skills to understand and assist in developing
relationships between sales, transportation and the customer. Must
be able to develop, refine, communicate, and implement plans. Must
have industry and segment knowledge and be able to analyze and
interpret data. Must be a strategic thinker in order to build
relationships, network, and link resources to plan and execute
business practices and achieve business goals. Must be able to
develop profitability models and other analytical tools. Must be
able to read and interpret complex documents and have very good
mathematical aptitude. Must be able to work “exceptional” hours
including evenings and weekends. Must possess good evaluation,
feedback, and training skills. Educational & Experience
Requirements Must maintain a valid state driver's license and safe
driving record per GFS policy. High school or equivalent required.
Bachelor's Degree preferred. Four or more years previous sales or
business experience with an understanding of segment needs,
customer and business requirements, or an equivalent combination of
education, training and experience. BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE
WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US! Gordon Food Service
values our customers and understands that their success is largely
dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to
our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a
Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from
their management if they are selected for the interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food
Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which
all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard
to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a
qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable
accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due
to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and
use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line. All
Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free. Gordon Food Service
is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug
tests.
Keywords: Gordon Food Service, Cary , US Manager, Commercial Sales, Sales , Durham, North Carolina
