How to Get Hired for Foodservice Sales Jobs  

food service sales jobs From agricultural producers to food distributors and technologists, the foodservice industry is vast. Within this dynamic landscape, foodservice salespeople are those individuals who establish new relationships and drive revenue. Some individuals might work inside sales jobs cold-calling prospective clients, while territory reps are out there in the field establishing new business-to-business (B2B) partnerships.

In this blog, M&F Talent explains exactly what it takes to find foodservice sales jobs. No matter if you’re a seasoned sales representative or a newcomer looking to break into the field, this guide will help you on your way. Starting with an overview of foodservice sales jobs, we then cover important topics like specialized training, food technology trends, and the importance of working with a food sales recruiter. 

With insights from our expert sales recruitment team, you’ll learn how to navigate the food production job market and position yourself as a top candidate. 

What Types of Foodservice Sales Jobs are Available?  

Since the global food manufacturing industry is so large, there are a wide variety of foodservice sales jobs available in the market. While one person might sell food products like frozen goods, another might sell food technology directly to manufacturers.

Examples of popular foodservice sales jobs include: 

  • Food Testing & Lab Equipment Sales
  • Food Distribution Sales 
  • Food Tech Outside Sales 
  • Food Manufacturing Equipment Sales
  • Food Broker 

No matter the title or vertical, all foodservice sales jobs are business-to-business (B2B) focused. As such, sales efforts are predicated on identifying business pain points and offering solutions based on these discoveries. To illustrate, a person selling commercial-grade flash freezers would want to highlight savings that result from fewer spoiled and wasted products. 

Study the Food Production Industry  

foodservice sales jobs Before you jump-start your search for a new foodservice sales job, you’re well-advised to study the market and understand exactly what is out there. According to the USDA website, “Agriculture, food, and related industries contributed roughly $1.420 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, a 5.5-percent share. The output of America’s farms contributed $223.5 billion of this sum—about 0.9 percent of the U.S. GDP … Sectors related to agriculture include food and beverage manufacturing; food and beverage stores; food services and eating/drinking places” While there are distinct differences between food manufacturing jobs and the restaurant industry, both share a common supply chain related to agriculture, manufacturing, production, and distribution.

To keep the wheels of the foodservice industry turning, each business has important positions in operations, research & development, sales, and marketing. The most successful businesses have symbiotic relationships between these different departments. Nonetheless, it’s up to food industry salespeople to drive revenue and keep their employers profitable. In the end, it doesn’t matter how good your product or service might be if you can’t convert leads into sales. 

Since the food production industry is so large and sales skills are so uncommon, those who are good at foodservice sales jobs will never be without work. 

Get the Right Training or Education 

Getting the right training or education is a great way to get a step ahead in your foodservice job search. Not only will you learn time management skills and business acumen, but schooling can also help with food industry dynamics, sales techniques, and customer relationship management. foodservice sales jobs

Common training and degrees for foodservice sales jobs include:

When conducting business development efforts in the foodservice industry, a thorough understanding of food products, trends, and regulations will show your expertise and credibility among customers. 

Work with a Food Industry Sales Recruiter  

Working with a food industry sales recruiter like those at M&F Talent is one of the most surefire ways to ensure a fruitful career in the industry. In fact, recruiters are known for reducing time-to-hire by as much as 75% across different positions and industries. 

Not only do recruiters have inside connections with hiring parties, but they also have important tips to help you refine your professional portfolio and sharpen your interview skills. Since food sales recruiters are industry experts, they will advise you on important topics like salary, commission, and fringe benefits. 

Stay Abreast of Trends in Food Technology foodservice sales jobs

Since commercial food production is intimately tied to technology, staying updated on trends in food tech will help you stand out among other job searchers. Being knowledgeable about emerging technologies like automation, digital ordering systems, and sustainable packaging demonstrates your passion and dedication to potential employers. Especially if you are interested in an enterprise sales position with complex automation products or SaaS offerings, technological savvy is essential for a successful job search. 

Find Foodservice Sales Jobs with Mac & Fulton!  

The team at Mac & Fulton Talent Partners specializes in outside sales jobs in the agriculture and food production industries. We have a wide network of established clients in the industry who trust us to locate sales talent. You can view our open jobs here. 

Contact us today to find a food industry sales job!