RIPE INC.
Job Description
Position Title:
Produce Sales & Partnerships Specialist
Department:
Sales
Reports To:
VP Sales, Fresh Produce
Position Type:
Full-Time
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Mission Alignment:
At Ripe Inc, we believe in Reviving Communities Through Food by bridging the gap between farm excess and food access. Every position is mission-driven, anchored in faith-based values, and dedicated to serving communities through innovation, stewardship, empowerment, and collaboration.
Employees are expected to embrace and model our core values in all interactions and work, contributing to an organization where faith, excellence, and service intersect.
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Position Summary:
The Produce Sales and Partnerships Specialist is a frontline sales role dedicated to connecting fresh produce and value-added products with food access, nonprofit, retail, wholesale, foodservice, and other business partners across the industry. This position emphasizes proactive research, relationship development, and consistent communication to ensure all partners receive tailored weekly offerings that align with their needs.
The role also manages the lifecycle of rejected loads, securing alternative outlets to minimize waste and maximize community impact. By understanding buyer nuances and cultivating strong trust-based partnerships, this role drives both sales revenue and mission fulfillment.
Reporting directly to the CEO, and eventually the VP of Produce Sales, the Produce Sales and Partnerships Specialist will own their domain and collaborate closely with leadership to tell our story, grow revenue, and help scale our purpose to Revive Communities Through Food.
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Key Responsibilities:
Sales & Buyer Development
· Research, develop, and maintain a robust network of buyers across the industry
· Develop and distribute a weekly offering list of available produce and value-added products.
· Cultivate and manage key wholesale, retail, processor, and distributor relationships.
· Support produce production and operations order fulfillment
· Align grower/packer supply with customer demand.
· Build strong, trust-based relationships with buyers to understand purchasing cycles, product preferences, and operational needs.
· Maintain accurate sales forecasting and CRM documentation.
· Collaborate with logistics and operations for seamless fulfillment.
Troubled Load Management
· Own the process of managing troubled loads to minimize loss and expense .
· Quickly identify alternative buyers or markets to redirect produce, minimizing loss and waste.
· Maintain tracking and reporting systems for rejected loads and secondary sales outcomes.
Market Research & Strategy
· Monitor market conditions, produce availability, and market procurement trends.
· Provide feedback to leadership on pricing, demand shifts, and product opportunities.
· Identify and qualify new partnership opportunities within the ecosystem.
· Review Contract and Bid Opportunities for programs through state, federal, and private organizations. (TFAP, Etc.)
Collaboration & Reporting
· Partner with internal sales and operations teams to align supply with buyer demand.
· Ensure accurate data capture for buyer interactions, sales volume, and product feedback.
· Regularly update leadership on pipeline development, buyer activity, and sales performance.
Qualifications:
· 1–2 years of customer-facing sales, produce, or nonprofit experience.
· Energetic, self-starter with excellent communication skills.
· Comfortable making cold calls and door-to-door sales visits.
· Passion for local food systems and community engagement.
· Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
· Problem-solving mindset with experience handling sensitive issues (e.g., rejected loads).
· Passion for local food systems, hunger relief, and community impact.
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Work Environment:
Location On Site and Remote.
Travel Requirements Travel to office as needed, as well as trade show events.
Physical Requirements ability to lift 30lbs.
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Compensation and Benefits:
Ripe Inc. Offers competitive salaries, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and a work culture rooted in faith, mission, and community service.
This position will offer a competitive base salary + an uncapped commission structure.
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Statement of Faith & Equal Opportunity:
Ripe Inc. operates from a Christian faith-based foundation. While we invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply, employees must understand and respect the faith mission that informs our work. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome diversity of thought, background, and experience.
Pay: From $65,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rocky Mount, NC 27804
