Newark, DE

Sales Assistant (Newark, DE)

About Oppy

Grow Our Tomorrow.  Oppy is a leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world. As one of North America’s top produce companies for nearly 165 years, we bring over 100 varieties of produce from 27 countries to 1,300+ retailers in North America and throughout the world. As much as agriculture has shaped the past for humankind, Oppy’s efforts shape its future by sustainably providing families with healthy, safe and fresh produce to create a better quality of life for all. Our progressive team is called to a higher purpose that raises the economic wellbeing of families and communities who work the land.

Recognized as one Canada’s Best Managed Companies (for the last 20 years!) and a BC Top Employer, our diverse team of dedicated professionals collaborate and make connections across our locations throughout North and South America. We owe our success to our adaptability, innovative and entrepreneurial approach, our commitment to our people, and the incredible relationships we build. We are looking for talented people who love a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you can grow your skills and career in a sector with abundant opportunity. Grow your tomorrow with us, today.

The Opportunity

We have an incredible opportunity to join our fruit-obsessed team at Oppy as a Sales Assistant, a role designed for those ready to jump in, learn, and contribute alongside seasoned professionals. This position is perfect for someone eager to dive into the dynamic world of sales and develop a well-rounded understanding of our business. As a Sales Assistant, you will gain exposure to sales strategies, category management, and operations, giving you a strong foundation for future growth at Oppy.

Join us, and you’ll not only support our sales and category teams in their day-to-day tasks but also benefit from a structured development path with clear career progression opportunities. You’ll be immersed in hands-on learning that will allow you to build relationships, understand the full value chain, and develop your skills across various departments. Whether you’re interested in business development, sales, or category management, you’ll have the runway to explore these areas, showing us your strengths and preparing for a long and rewarding career with us.

We’re searching for driven, detail-focused, and flexible individuals who thrive on building strong relationships and excelling in fast-paced environments. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with multiple teams, making an innovative, solutions-oriented, and dedicated individual the perfect fit to see tasks through and drive our team’s success forward.

Accountabilities

  • Supports the sales department in planning and executing sales strategies, including developing presentations, managing order entry, and administering inventory processes; exercises discretion and independent judgment to ensure these activities align with the company’s strategic sales goals and business objectives.
  • Oversees and ensures the completion of sales-related paperwork, such as order entries, invoicing, final pricing, customs/border documentation, and troubleshooting files, ensuring accuracy, legal compliance, and identifying opportunities to streamline workflows for improved process efficiency.
  • Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external stakeholders by answering inquiries, identifying customer needs, and proposing solutions; uses independent judgment to resolve concerns in ways that align with both the company’s business interests and customer satisfaction.
  • Assists in providing sales support to existing customers, solicits new customers, and delivers sales presentations as required; may sell company products and services in accordance with established sales targets, once proficient in core business knowledge.
  • Identifies and evaluates sales opportunities by monitoring industry trends, staying informed of sales strategies, and recognizing new markets or customer segments; analyzes sales data to provide insights that guide decision-making and inform the development of effective sales tactics.
  • Generates and analyzes sales reports using sales tools and technologies to support analysis and performance tracking; offers data-driven recommendations to the sales team by using judgment to highlight actionable insights that influence company sales strategies and performance.
  • Collaborates cross-functionally with various departments, including shipping, pricing, accounting, marketing, and quality control, to resolve issues and ensure smooth sales processes; applies discretion and problem-solving skills to address challenges in cross-functional interactions and optimize business outcomes.
  • Liaises with quality control, inventory control, transportation, and operations staff to stay informed about company products, related services, and applicable standards and procedures.
  • Promotes and drives a customer-focused, cooperative, and team-oriented culture in alignment with the company’s core values, acting as a key brand representative in customer and stakeholder interactions while making decisions that support company values and foster long-term relationships.
  • Continuously seek opportunities for professional growth and skill development, actively participating in training programs and staying abreast of sales techniques and best practices.
  • May temporarily assume leadership responsibilities related to key accounts, deals, or categories during absences, exercising judgment and autonomy in managing these duties to ensure continuity of sales operations and effective decision-making.

Required Knowledge & Abilities

  • Strong understanding of the principles and methods for promoting and selling products and services, including exercising discretion in sales techniques, customer relationship management, and administrative processes that directly impact business operations.
  • Knowledge of the produce retail, wholesale, and foodservice markets, as well as industry trends, concepts, and standards to independently assess and identify opportunities for growth or improvement is an asset.
  • Knowledge of the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act (PACA) and its regulations with the ability to apply this knowledge in decision-making to ensure compliance with all applicable laws is an asset.
  • Knowledge of MS Applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook to independently manage and analyze sales data, presentations, and communications in support of strategic decision-making.
  • Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to independently communicate complex information, including active listening and the effective transmission of ideas to diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to independently build and maintain effective internal and external working relationships with customers, suppliers, and colleagues. Demonstrated ability to use judgment to exceed customer expectations and foster a customer-focused culture in alignment with the company’s core values, guiding principles, and goals.
  • Exceptional time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to set priorities, meet target goals, and make autonomous decisions in a fast-paced sales environment.
  • Ability to independently work under pressure and make sound decisions in challenging situations to resolve issues.
  • Demonstrable integrity and trust in all activities, with the ability to work with a high level of discretion and confidentiality when making decisions.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to independently identify, analyze, and resolve issues using sound judgment and creative thinking.
  • Willingness to travel as needed to build and maintain strategic customer relationships and meet sales goals.

Required Qualifications

  • Degree, diploma in business with a focus on sales and marketing; specific training in agribusiness or related industry courses is an asset.
  • Minimum, 1 – 3 years of relevant sales experience, including administrative, customer service and sales processes.

Why Oppy?

  • We are the perfect size of organization that is still nimble yet organized, where meaningful impact and contributions happen.
  • We have a strong culture with terrific people that care about the business and each other.  We want our people to grow and succeed.
  • We believe in you bringing your best true self and your best ideas, because diverse perspectives contribute to better problem solving and solutions in a dynamic and ever evolving industry.
  • We support your professional development and health with educational reimbursement and wellness programs.
  • We offer a comprehensive total compensation package that includes health, dental & vision coverage, 401k match, tuition reimbursement and benefits.

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment

Oppy is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer who actively seeks to recruit retain individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves at work. We care about the uniqueness of our applicants, employees, and partners. Diversity is fundamental to our success because it brings a range of perspectives that fuel innovation and excellence. That’s why we’re focused on creating an inclusive culture where every employee can contribute their unique talents and ideas.

We gratefully thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted directly.

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