Chicago, IL

Sales & Marketing Associate (Chicago, IL)

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 in Oppy’s GROW Program; a Sales and Category Management entry-level team member program that will give you the runway to learn alongside professionals on our sales and category teams. Join us and you will start out as a Sales & Marketing Associate with career progression path options in either business development, sales or category management. We will provide you with a hands-on learning rotation schedule covering all three areas, giving you a framework to explore your curiosity and interests, share your strengths and show us what you can do. You can learn, contribute and discover in a place where you can grow and thrive.

We are looking for energetic, resilient and driven self-starters who thrive on building relationships, have a high attention to detail and are eager to explore career options in the dynamic and rewarding produce industry. You will be ready to jump in and learn the value chain from big picture down to tactical execution. Working shoulder to shoulder with sales, marketing and category teams you will ideally be innovative, solutions-oriented and dedicated to follow-through.

Please Note: In-office attendance is required for the first 6-months of training and the position may be eligible for hybrid schedule following the training period depending on team needs.

What you will be doing

  • Engage in hands-on, interactive training and development through a number of related functions becoming knowledgeable about our products, supply chain systems, and full-cycle sales development and execution processes.
  • Receive one-on-one coaching from dynamic professionals; shadowing and observing different elements of the value chain to gain a broad perspective on how all the functions work in collaboration for successful results.
  • Through training, practice, and tactical execution, become proficient with relevant portions of Oppy’s ERP software.
  • Assist sales, category and business development team members with day-to-day fundamental tasks and projects including inventory management; deal coordination; sales coordination and follow-up; and promotion planning and execution.
  • Liaise with various stakeholders internally and externally to communicate and troubleshoot various elements of the sales process.
  • Participate in promoting a customer-focused, cooperative, team-oriented culture in alignment with the company’s core values.

Who you are

  • Results-Focused. You have passion and desire to make a difference and tenacity to dig in, figure it out and keep trying until you get results.
  • Proactive. Not one to sit and wait, you proactively and systematically work to improve your skills and learn the business. Resourcefulness and tenacity are in your DNA.
  • Incredibly Organized. You can work independently, make appropriate decisions, and liaise with numerous parties, leaving them impressed with your follow up and attention to detail.
  • Resilient. You remain positive and poised in all situations, understanding that the world is a dynamic place. Multi-tasking comes naturally, and that keeping busy and overcoming obstacles is your forte.
  • Team Player. You have been recognized as a go-to person, bridging and building positive relationships with a diverse range of people and experience levels.
  • Impactful. You have the passion and confidence to be an extraordinary networker and will keep trying until you get results. You have a way with words, relish the opportunity to pitch something to an audience and never shy away from the difficult conversations.
  • Schooled. Your degree or diploma in business will give you a foundation to build from. Previous retail or agri-business experience may provide valuable practical knowledge to complement your academic background and help you navigate real-world challenges effectively.

Why Oppy

  • We are the perfect size of organization that is still nimble but 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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