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Bilingual Outside Sales Representative

Gordon Food Service · Chicago, IL · $60,000–$85,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role covers downtown Chicago and calls for a bilingual seller. How would you use your language skills to build relationships with restaurant owners in that territory?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that speaking a customer's language builds trust and helps them truly understand the business.

Tell me about a time you won a new customer who was already happy with a competitor.

What they are checking: Whether they can find a real reason to switch and persist without being pushy.

The pay includes salary, commission and bonuses. How do you stay motivated when a month is slow?

What they are checking: Whether they are self-driven and resilient, which matters in a commission-based outside sales role.

What would you do

A customer's delivery shows up short on key items right before a Friday dinner rush. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act fast to solve the customer's problem and protect the relationship when something goes wrong.

A restaurant owner tells you your prices are higher than another distributor. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can show total value like quality, service and support instead of just cutting price.

Tell me about a time you had to collect on an overdue account or talk about payment terms.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle money conversations professionally while keeping the relationship strong.

About the work

How would you help a restaurant owner improve their food costs or menu profitability?

What they are checking: Whether they think like a consultant who understands plate costs, menu mix and margins, not just an order taker.

How would you plan your week to balance visiting current customers and finding new ones?

What they are checking: Whether they have a disciplined routine for prospecting, since growth depends on new business as well as service.

What do you know about the food service business, like how restaurants order, store and use product?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the customer's daily operations well enough to offer useful solutions.

How do you keep track of customers, follow-ups and orders so nothing falls through the cracks?

What they are checking: Whether they are organized with a CRM or system, which keeps many accounts running smoothly.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Gordon Food Service from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Gordon Food Service.

Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you... Overview For over 125 years, Gordon Food Service has delivered the excellence, expertise, and quality products our customers need to design successful food operations and experiences. We've grown to be the largest family-operated broadline food distribution company in North America by being passionately committed to the people we serve. At Gordon Food Service, our customers come first. As an Outside Food Sales Representative, you will cultivate relationships, develop new business, and provide innovative solutions to our customers, helping them to achieve their goals and, in return, yours! This position will reside in: Downtown Chicago Position Benefits • Salary Range: $60,000 - $85,000 (based on experience) • A generous 401(k) matching program that is above industry standards • Financial rewards for performance compensation structure which includes salary, commission, and bonuses • Low-cost benefit options for you and your family's health and future • An Automobile expense reimbursement plan • Cell phone reimbursement plan Outside Food Sales Representative We invite you to join our sales team where you’ll experience a world where servant leadership and cutting-edge tools and training come together to support your career growth and financial objectives. As an Outside Food Sales Representative, you’ll be responsible for the overall sales and relationship management efforts for existing and prospective customers within your assigned territory. This includes pursuing new customers, deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships, and sales territory management. Pursuing New Customers • Researching industry and market trends impacting restaurants within your territory • Identifying and researching prospective customers within your territory • Developing sales strategies that highlight products, services, values, and solutions offered by Gordon Food Service and presenting the sales strategy to prospective customers Deepen and Strengthen Existing Customer Relationships • Visiting all customers within the assigned territory on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis • Conducting business reviews to determine existing customers needs and areas of opportunity for growing sales • Providing ongoing training to customers on Gordon Food Service product offerings • Identifying opportunities within existing customers businesses where Gordon Food Service can add value through product and service offerings Sales Territory Management • Balancing new customers acquisition and deepening and strengthening existing customer relationships • Coordinating visits to prospective customers and existing customers • Communicating order status and order processing updates to customers Sales Training - Getting you Ready Gordon Food Service’s goal during your first 90 days is to set you up for success! This includes engaging you in various training offerings, including e-learning, classroom sessions, video roleplays, job shadowing, and peer sales representative mentorship. Throughout your first 90 days, you will learn: • How to use Gordon Food Service systems, processes, and tools to manage customer relationships • About the products available to Gordon Food Service customers • The sales process for engaging new customers • How to establish your relationships in the vast network of resources available to you, a Gordon Food Service sales representative • Best practices on developing relationships with current and prospective customers • Strategies on how to effectively manage your territory Position Requirements • Bilingual in Spanish required • High School Diploma/GED is required • Bachelor's degree and/or culinary certificate preferred • 1 year of prior sales, business, or food service experience • Maintaining a valid state driver's license and a safe driving record Gordon Food Service encourages v eterans and active military members to apply. BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US! Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line. All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free. Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.

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