K-12 Sales Specialist - Food Broker
About the job
- Two to five years of experience in foodservice sales, food brokerage, or school operations is preferred.
- A proven track record in relationship selling, influencing buyers, and closing deals.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual meeting tools such as Teams or Zoom, and customer relationship management platforms.
- A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.
- Ability to stand for long periods and safely lift 20–50 pounds during food shows.
- Ability to accommodate customer needs, including 10–15 evening or weekend events annually.
- Schedule and conduct in-person sales appointments with K-12 school districts and distributors, including sampling products and prepared recipes.
- Prospect, generate leads, and track sales activity in the AI NXT/customer relationship management system to meet trimester sales goals.
- Organize and lead taste-testing events and food presentations at district and state levels.
- Partner with the Bid Team and Senior Director to analyze school bids and build competitive proposals.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to school nutrition leaders and respond to client inquiries in a timely manner.
- Travel weekly across Michigan, with occasional regional air travel.
- An associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Direct experience working with K-12 school nutrition programs.
- Advanced familiarity with modern sales technology platforms.
- Experience with dietetics and nutrition.
About the company
Affinity Group is a North American food sales and marketing agency that works as a broker to help brands grow in both foodservice and retail channels. It provides sales strategy, culinary support, store-level merchandising and planning, plus category management and consumer-trend insights. The company leverages data and analytics to guide decision-making and deliver real-time results for clients, with divisions for foodservice and retail offering tailored solutions such as menu development, marketing insights, and perishables brokerage. It differentiates itself through its dual-channel focus, a track record of acquisitions to broaden reach (Matrix Sales & Marketing and Jon Morris & Co.), and ongoing data integration and AI enhancements through a partnership with Mascari NXT. Its goal is to drive sales growth and stronger brand performance for client brands across the North American market by turning data and market insights into practical sales and merchandising plans.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Charlotte, North Carolina
Founded
2014
Get referred to Affinity Group
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- PR Newswire said the Mascari NXT deal expands customer reach by 50%.
- Datassential's May 2026 case study validates Affinity's pitch-to-win execution with measurable placements.
- Leadiq noted December 2025 produce leadership hiring, signaling continued channel-specific investment.
What critics are saying
- Mascari NXT integration in 2026 risks distraction and culture clash across sales teams.
- Small-company profile and 51-200 employees create client-concentration risk if one account leaves.
- AI selling is becoming table stakes; competitors can copy it within twelve months.
What makes Affinity Group unique
- January 2026 Mascari NXT acquisition adds AI-driven selling to food brokerage.
- Affinity Group combines foodservice, retail, and fresh-channel coverage under one sales agency.
- Datassential's May 2026 case study showed 2 LTO wins and one permanent menu placement.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
- Phone/Internet Stipend
- Flexible Work Hours