Applewood Fresh is hiring an in-person Sales Account Manager in Sparta, Michigan to grow and manage fresh apple sales across key produce channels. Reporting to the National Sales Director of FirstFruits, this role focuses on customer relationships, market-driven pricing, inventory alignment, and order execution in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Job:
Full Time Employment
Location:
Sparta, Michigan (In-Person)
Opportunity for relocation support for the right candidate
Reports To:
National Sales Director
Schedule:
While aligned with standard business hours, this position requiresflexibilitytorespond andsupport time-sensitive needstypical of fresh produce sales.
Role Description The Sales Account Manager plays a critical role in driving revenue, managing customer relationships, and aligning sales activity with inventory availability and market conditions. This role is based on-site in Sparta, Michigan and works closely withboth Washington’s and Michigan’s internal operations, logistics, and sales leadership.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, highly communicative, and collaborative environment, brings strong fresh produce sales instincts, and understands how to balance customer needs with market pricing and supply realities.
Key Responsibilities
Build and develop strong relationships with new customers across retail, food service, wholesale, and broker channels.
Maintain and grow relationships with existing customers, serving as the primary point of contact.
Sell available fruit while aligning FOB pricing with relevant market pricing, consistently meeting or exceeding market benchmarks.
Identify customer opportunities and proactively manage account strategies to drive long‑term growth.
Inventory & Order Management
Manage fruit inventory in coordination with internal teams to maximize value and customer fulfillment.
Accurately enter and manage sales orders through customer portals and internal systems.
Coordinate delivery days and times with customers, logistics, and operations teams.
Communicate availability, pricing, and shipment updates clearly and consistently.
Market & Reporting Responsibilities
Monitor market conditions, pricing trends, and customer demand.
Provide regular updates, forecasts, and insights to the National Sales Director.
Participate in customer visits, industry meetings, and trade shows as needed, including some travel outside Michigan.
Qualifications Experience & Skills
Experience in sales, account management, or customer-facing roles; fresh produce or perishable commodities experience is strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of market-based pricing and customer negotiations.
Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and organizational skills.
Ability to work cross‑functionally with operations, logistics, and leadership teams.
Comfortable working in a structured, in‑person environment with early‑morning hours.
Proficiency with CRM tools, customer portals, and Microsoft Office.
Why Join Applewood Fresh
Competitive compensation and benefits with growth opportunities.
Be part of a respected grower‑driven organization within the FirstFruits family.
Work in a collaborative sales environment with direct exposure to leadership.
Make a real impact in hands‑on role at the intersection of sales, inventory, and customer relationships.
About Applewood Fresh Applewood Fresh is a grower, packer, shipper, and marketer of premium Michigan‑grown apples. With a focus on quality, consistency, and strong customer partnerships, Applewood Fresh delivers fresh apples to customers across the U.S.
FirstFruits is the parent company of Applewood Fresh and FirstFruits Farms. FirstFruits is a multi‑regional supply entity growing, packing, and shipping apples, pears, and cherries. FirstFruits is a recognized leader in the apple industry for over 40 years, connecting growers and customers through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to doing what’s right for people and the land.
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Job:
Full Time Employment
Location:
Sparta, Michigan (In-Person)
Opportunity for relocation support for the right candidate
Reports To:
National Sales Director
Schedule:
While aligned with standard business hours, this position requiresflexibilitytorespond andsupport time-sensitive needstypical of fresh produce sales.
Role Description The Sales Account Manager plays a critical role in driving revenue, managing customer relationships, and aligning sales activity with inventory availability and market conditions. This role is based on-site in Sparta, Michigan and works closely withboth Washington’s and Michigan’s internal operations, logistics, and sales leadership.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, highly communicative, and collaborative environment, brings strong fresh produce sales instincts, and understands how to balance customer needs with market pricing and supply realities.
Key Responsibilities
Build and develop strong relationships with new customers across retail, food service, wholesale, and broker channels.
Maintain and grow relationships with existing customers, serving as the primary point of contact.
Sell available fruit while aligning FOB pricing with relevant market pricing, consistently meeting or exceeding market benchmarks.
Identify customer opportunities and proactively manage account strategies to drive long‑term growth.
Inventory & Order Management
Manage fruit inventory in coordination with internal teams to maximize value and customer fulfillment.
Accurately enter and manage sales orders through customer portals and internal systems.
Coordinate delivery days and times with customers, logistics, and operations teams.
Communicate availability, pricing, and shipment updates clearly and consistently.
Market & Reporting Responsibilities
Monitor market conditions, pricing trends, and customer demand.
Provide regular updates, forecasts, and insights to the National Sales Director.
Participate in customer visits, industry meetings, and trade shows as needed, including some travel outside Michigan.
Qualifications Experience & Skills
Experience in sales, account management, or customer-facing roles; fresh produce or perishable commodities experience is strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of market-based pricing and customer negotiations.
Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and organizational skills.
Ability to work cross‑functionally with operations, logistics, and leadership teams.
Comfortable working in a structured, in‑person environment with early‑morning hours.
Proficiency with CRM tools, customer portals, and Microsoft Office.
Why Join Applewood Fresh
Competitive compensation and benefits with growth opportunities.
Be part of a respected grower‑driven organization within the FirstFruits family.
Work in a collaborative sales environment with direct exposure to leadership.
Make a real impact in hands‑on role at the intersection of sales, inventory, and customer relationships.
About Applewood Fresh Applewood Fresh is a grower, packer, shipper, and marketer of premium Michigan‑grown apples. With a focus on quality, consistency, and strong customer partnerships, Applewood Fresh delivers fresh apples to customers across the U.S.
FirstFruits is the parent company of Applewood Fresh and FirstFruits Farms. FirstFruits is a multi‑regional supply entity growing, packing, and shipping apples, pears, and cherries. FirstFruits is a recognized leader in the apple industry for over 40 years, connecting growers and customers through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to doing what’s right for people and the land.
#J-18808-Ljbffr