Sales Coordinator

Description Kalona Organics is seeking a Sales Coordinator to join our team! Based near Kalona, Iowa, Kalona Organics leads sales and marketing for Kalona SuperNatural organic dairy products. We are part of Open Gates Group, a family of 11 businesses that source, produce, and deliver high-quality Midwestern products to more than 3,500 stores nationwide. Our milk comes from grass-fed cows on small family farms, is gently pasteurized at the lowest legal temperature, and is non-homogenized. It is also verified regenerative through Land to Market, recognizing farming practices that support healthier land. As Sales Coordinator, you’ll help coordinate customer orders, support buyer relationships, and work with our sales, production, and logistics teams to bring these products to market.

Position Summary The Sales Coordinator supports Kalona Organics by managing distributor orders, maintaining buyer relationships, and analyzing sales, promotions, and chargebacks. Working with the Sales Director and internal teams, this role helps align demand with operational capacity, maintain product freshness, and improve account performance.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Order Management and Demand Planning

• Manage UNFI and KeHE orders, monitoring purchasing patterns and inventory to support product freshness and reduce spoilage.
• Maintain relationships with distributor buyers to address order concerns, recommend purchasing adjustments, and coordinate logistics.
• Coordinate with production, warehouse, logistics, and purchasing teams to align order timing, quantities, and forecasts with available capacity.
• Help ensure inventory is available to support promotions, new product launches, and other changes in demand.

Chargebacks and Account Performance

• Review UNFI and KeHE chargebacks and support the disputes team in challenging ineligible deductions and resolving eligible ones.
• Develop dashboards to track deduction rates, recovery rates, resolution times, and recurring issues; work with the Sales Director to reduce preventable chargebacks.
• Analyze retailer profitability and evaluate the ROI of promotions, discounts, and trade programs.
• Share findings and recommendations with the Sales Director to support sales and promotional planning.

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in sales support, order management, customer service, supply chain coordination, or a related field; food industry or distributor experience preferred.
• Familiarity with UNFI, KeHE, distributor deductions, or trade promotions preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel or similar tools for reporting and data analysis.
• Ability to identify trends, solve problems, and recommend practical improvements.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through when managing competing priorities.
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills with buyers and internal teams.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing needs.
• Commitment to Open Gates Group’s mission, values, operating principles, and culture of learning and development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primarily office-based work involving extended computer use, data entry, and phone or virtual communication.
• Ability to review detailed information and use standard office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching during meetings or visits to company facilities.
• Follow site safety requirements and use required personal protective equipment when visiting production or warehouse areas.