Wholesale Sales Specialist

The Fish Guy is Chicago’s finest fishmonger. Since 1997, we’ve supplied chefs, restaurants, and retail customers with exceptional, responsibly sourced fish and shellfish. Our approach is built on three decades of relationships — with purveyors who share our commitment to quality, and with chefs who trust us to deliver the best the seas (and Great Lakes) have to offer. We’re a small, focused team that prides itself on doing things the right way: no shortcuts, no compromises. Our culture values integrity, craftsmanship, teamwork, and a sense of humor — we take as much pride in our service as in our seafood. Position Overview The Wholesale Sales Specialist is the cornerstone of The Fish Guy’s wholesale business. This person is responsible for driving revenue, strengthening relationships with chefs and buyers, and ensuring the quality and reliability of every customer experience from inquiry to invoice. The Sales Specialist partners closely with the Managing Partner and the Director of Wholesale Operations to maintain a high-performance sales rhythm, manage product flow, and ensure we’re delivering both profit and excellence. The right person will bring an entrepreneurial spirit, strong culinary awareness, and a genuine love for building lasting relationships in the culinary community. Core Responsibilities Own the full sales cycle for all wholesale accounts — from prospecting and onboarding to fulfillment and follow‑up. Set and monitor monthly and quarterly sales goals in partnership with the Managing Partner. Build and execute a strategic plan for expanding The Fish Guy’s footprint across Chicagoland’s restaurant scene, specialty markets, and aligned hospitality partners. Develop targeted outreach lists and chef‑specific sample programs. Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts — new menu placements, seasonal offerings, or added product lines. Create and execute activations and sales materials that drive relationship building, brand positioning, and wholesale sales. Collaborate with The Fish Guy’s Marketing/PR/Social Media agency to build a social media presence that aligns with our brand and sales priorities. Relationship Development Serve as the primary point of contact for all wholesale clients — ensuring every interaction reflects The Fish Guy’s brand of expertise and hospitality. Communicate daily availability, specials, and updates with accuracy, speed, and personality. Build trust through consistent, reliable service and proactive problem‑solving. Conduct in‑person visits with top accounts to strengthen relationships, introduce new products, and gather feedback. Represent The Fish Guy at events, tastings, and industry gatherings as a credible, humble, and enthusiastic ambassador. Collaboration & Internal Alignment Work directly with the Directors of Retail and Wholesale Operations to align sales activity with product availability, logistics, and inventory management. Maintain active communication across departments on client expectations, special orders, and timing. Participate in weekly planning meetings to align on sourcing, marketing, and production priorities. Provide feedback from the field to help refine product mix, pricing strategy, and packaging. Enthusiastically lean into additional duties as assigned; our sales representative may support retail shifts, deliveries, cooking prep, fish butchery, and ordering/logistics during high‑volume seasons. Administration & Reporting Maintain detailed and accurate client records, pricing notes, and order history. Track performance metrics, including gross margin, client retention, and new account acquisition. Support invoicing, collections, and credit management in partnership with our external AR/bookkeeping team. Keep CRM (Copper) and daily sales tools (email lists, spreadsheets, etc.) up to date and functional. Core Traits Relationship‑Driven: You thrive on personal connections and build trust over time. Organized & Detail‑Oriented: You manage many moving parts without losing track. Curious & Food‑Literate: You can talk intelligently about fish, flavor, sourcing, and seasonality. Resilient: You stay calm, adaptable, and good‑humored when things get hectic. Entrepreneurial: You think like an owner — balancing sales growth with operational reality. Qualifications & Experience 2–5 years of experience in foodservice, seafood, or specialty ingredient sales preferred. Familiarity with Chicago’s restaurant scene and chef community is a major plus. Applicants without seafood‑specific knowledge are encouraged to apply; we’re eager to coach you up. Strong communication, organization, and follow‑through skills. Proficiency with Google Workspace, spreadsheets, and CRM‑style systems (we use Copper). A valid driver’s license and a comfort level with traveling to meet clients and prospects. Comfort with being available to our chef partners on their schedules. Success Looks Like Monthly and quarterly sales & outreach goals are consistently met or exceeded. Clients describe The Fish Guy as their most reliable and values‑aligned supplier. Sales operations run smoothly — orders are accurate, communication is clear internally & externally, and fulfillment aligns with expectations. The business continues to grow sustainably through reputation, referrals, and high‑value new accounts. You serve as both a voice of the customer and an internal leader — helping the team anticipate needs and deliver excellence. Compensation & Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Set commission on wholesale orders generated, paid monthly. $400 monthly QSHERA Health Care reimbursement. $100 bonus for each wholesale account initiated when those accounts exceed $10,000 in revenue. $75 a month Cell Phone reimbursement. Access to an employer‑sponsored 401(k) program with up to 4% employer match after 365 days of employment. Employee discount on Chicagoland’s finest fish. Opportunities for growth as the business expands. Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full‑time Job function Sales and Business Development Industries Wholesale Food and Beverage #J-18808-Ljbffr