Stephanie Pierce – Sales Representative

Stuart Mitchell – Produce Buyer

Jada Morgan – Customer & Vendor Relations

Ken Ojala – Driver

Please welcome them when you see them or speak with them on the phone.

2012 Open House Invitation

Spring Open House 2012

Welcome to spring! Last year’s open house was such a success that we decided to make it an annual gathering of friends and business partners. This year we have over 15 growers and producers with product on display as well as fine catered foods and Michigan-made beverages. While you are here, learn about a new business venture – Up North Distributing, check out the latest facility renovations to our food hub, reconnect with the staff and meet some of our new faces.

A special thanks to:

Chef’s Challenge for our door prizes.
Ethnic Garden Catering & Bay Harbor Yacht Club for catering.
Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association, Left Foot Charley & Right Brain Brewery for the beverages.

Click our Contact Us page to get directions to our building.

Rep Nicely to Rep Daley March 2012

Send resume to careers@cherrycapitalfoods.com.

SUMMARY

Cherry Capital Foods is focused on local and Michigan grown food. With our growth over the last two years we have found ourselves in need of assistance in sales and bookkeeping. The ideal candidate will split time between the two departments assisting with office processes, keeping customer information flowing timely and accurately.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Order entry in QuickBooks and assistance to sales team.
2. Phone answering responsibilities, especially when sales team is on the road.
3. Office clerical duties (sorting, filing, faxing).
4. Assist other departments as requested.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
1. Desire for order and logic in one’s work environment.
2. Ability to have fun while getting the job done.
3. Proficiency at meeting customers’ and vendors’ needs via email and phone.
4. Must have a strong work ethic and be a self-starter.
5. Experience with QuickBooks, Gmail and Constant Contact a plus.

Qualified candidates are asked to submit their resume, cover letter and references to careers@cherrycapitalfoods.com, interviews to be conducted in March of 2012.

The Declaratory Ruling from the DNR that explains the characteristics of the animals that they will destroy.

A letter from the Michigan Animal Farmers Association (MAFA) to Director Stokes of the DNR in response to the MDNR meeting on February 1 in Grayling.

A letter from Director Stokes to State Representative McBroom.

Coverage of the events from Interlochen Public Radio.

UPDATE – A response letter from Director Stokes to the MAFA.

Job Title: Produce Manager

Reports to: Operations Manager
Compensation: Full time salary, dependent on experience.
Location: Traverse City, MI
Hire Date: Spring 2012

SUMMARY

Cherry Capital Foods is focused on local and Michigan grown food. The ideal candidate will be responsible for all elements of our fresh produce category, from crop planning with farmers to working with sales staff to ensure quality product for our customers.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintain proper inventory levels for produce products on a year round basis.
2. Inspect product for quality issues, including crop damage, handling/storage damage.
3. Work with warehouse staff to maintain proper storage of products.
4. Create and send purchase orders to vendors with every order.
5. As needed, double check vendor invoices for accuracy issues.
6. Project inventory needs based on past sales data and current info from sales staff.
7. Communicate new product and service opportunities, special developments, information, or feedback gathered through field activity to appropriate company staff.
8. Develop and implement special sales activities to reduce inventory.
9. Establish and maintain current farm and potential farm relationships.
10. Participate in marketing events such as seminars, trade shows, round table discussions and special events.
11. Keep the company apprised to events and information from the farming community.
12. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must have a strong work ethic and be a self-starter.
2. Possess a Bachelors Degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
3. Experience with produce in retail, on the farm, food production or food service required.
4. Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
5. Passion for and belief in local/regional food systems and the economic benefit they bring to our community and state.
6. Experience with farm certifications such as GAP, Organic, MAEAP and Food Alliance.
7. Experience with Gmail, Quickbooks, Constant Contact and inventory management software.
8. Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
9. Work requires maintaining a professional appearance and providing a positive company image to the public.
10. Work requires moderate travel to current and potential farmers. This requires the possession of a valid state drivers license and a reliable vehicle at all times of employment.
11. Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule with occasional overnight travel.

Qualified candidates are asked to submit their resume, cover letter and references to careers@cherrycapitalfoods.com, interviews to be conducted in February and March of 2012.

Job Title: Sales Representative

Reports to: Sales Manager
Compensation: Base salary plus quarterly commission bonus, dependent on experience.
Location: Petoskey, Traverse City or Grand Rapids, MI
Hire Date: March 2012

SUMMARY

The ideal candidate will be responsible for all sales activities for assigned accounts or regions and will manage the quality and consistency of the customer service experience.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Present and sell lines of represented products to current and prospective clients.
2. Prepare action plans and schedules to identify specific targets and to project sales activities on a weekly basis.
3. Follow up on new leads and referrals resulting from field activity.
4. Identify sales prospects and contact these and other accounts as assigned.
5. Establish and maintain current client and potential client relationships.
6. Manage account services through quality checks and other follow-up.
7. Identify and resolve client concerns.
8. Prepare a variety of status reports, including activity, closings, follow-up, and adherence to goals.
9. Communicate new product and service opportunities, special developments, information, or feedback gathered through field activity to appropriate company staff.
10. Coordinate company staff to accomplish the work required to close sales.
11. Develop and implement special sales activities to reduce inventory.
12. Participate in marketing events such as seminars, trade shows, round table discussions and special events.
13. Follow-up for collection of late payment.
14. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must have a strong work ethic and be a self-starter.
2. Possess a Bachelors Degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
3. Experience in retail or food service industry, farming or food production.
4. Passion for and belief in local/regional food systems and the economic benefit they bring to our community and state.
5. Experience with Gmail, Quickbooks, inventory management software and smart phones.
6. Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
7. Knowledge of advertising and sales promotion techniques.
8. Ability to develop and deliver presentations to small groups of customers.
9. Ability to explain features and benefits of CCF products and services.
10. Ability to indentify customer sales objections and overcome them.
11. Work requires maintaining a professional appearance and providing a positive company image to the public.
12. Work requires moderate travel to current and potential clients. This requires the possession of a valid state drivers license and a reliable vehicle at all times of employment.
13. Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule with occasional overnight travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

CCF supplies each sales representative with a laptop computer, GPS enabled smart phone, mileage allowance and company credit card. Depending on experience and location, a candidate may be asked to work remotely out of a home office with regularly scheduled staff meetings inTraverse City,MI.

Qualified candidates are asked to submit their resume, cover letter and references to careers@cherrycapitalfoods.com, interviews to be conducted in February of 2012.

The top 10 menu trends for next year will be:
1. Locally sourced meats and seafood
2. Locally grown produce
3. Healthful kids’ meals
4. Hyper-local items
5. Sustainability as a culinary theme
6. Children’s nutrition as a culinary theme
7. Gluten-free/food allergy-conscious items
8. Locally produced wine and beer
9. Sustainable seafood
10. Whole grain items in kids’ meals

Cherry Capital Foods is equipped to assist in almost all of these. Check out our price sheets on our front page or contact us to learn more.

Continue reading the The National Restaurant Association’s “What’s Hot in 2012” survey.