District Sales Associate (Part-Time)

Job Details: Job Location: Columbia Metro - Columbia, MD, Position Type: Part Time, Salary Range: $22.00 - $22.00Hourly, Travel Percentage: Road Warrior, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Commercial, We grow the world’s BEST Strawberries & that wouldn’t be possible without our Commercial Sales Team!

As a District Sales Associate (DSA) on Oishii's Commercial Team, you'll work alongside a Regional Sales Manager (RSM) to uphold premium in-store merchandising standards, build relationships with retail partners, and educate store teams on the Oishii brand. Day-to-day, you'll capture insights from the field, retailers, and consumers to help shape sales and marketing strategy, all while ensuring shelves stay consistently stocked and well-presented.

What you’ll be responsible for:

90% of time spent in field -primarily in-store in a defined area (or district) region
10% administrative - tasks will include order/inventory oversight for each store in district, coordinating with RSM/HQ on demo planning/preparation and reporting field/consumer insights internally
Responsible for maintaining Oishii merchandising standards on-shelf, as defined by RSM/Oishii leadership, and will maintain weekly visits to each store in their district
Complete reports after each store visit via mobile-based reporting platform (GoSpotCheck) and will work with RSM to build solutions for any challenges encountered or opportunities identified in the market.
Develop relationships with key stakeholders at each location, as well as with produce team members/other departments, in an effort to build awareness of Oishii and excitement around the brand.

This will be accomplished through seeding/sampling, supporting special employee events in-store, hosting trainings for team members, etc.

Lead in-store consumer facing demos, especially post launch (new region or new stores). 
Required to work approximately 25–28 hours per week, primarily weekdays for store visits and route execution, with availability approximately 2 weekends per month for out-of-store activations (farmers markets, brand events, etc.).

Qualifications: Who will love this job: Individuals who identify with our Core Values and exhibit skills within those values will thrive at Oishii. 

One Team, One Fight!

Ability to quickly shift priorities to meet deadlines and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, clearly, concisely and with purpose. 
Outgoing and collaborative work style- Ability to work cross functionally at all levels and collaborate at various levels of the organization.

Focus

Ability to remove obstacles in order to prioritize which could include problem solving, working through ambiguity and using fact based or sound judgment.
Ability to work independently, with a high attention to detail, and ability to create structure & process where none may exist. 

GSD (Get Sh** Done!)

Capable of prioritizing tasks and always considering the resources available when doing so.
A bias for action! Ability to hold yourself accountable and take ownership of driving results that impact company outcomes.

What we look for in a District Sales Associate:

HS Diploma or equivalent
Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle required; this role involves daily travel throughout the district, with some trips up to 2+ hours of driving.
Candidates must be able to lift up to 40 lbs and remain physically active for extended periods, including standing, walking, bending, and reaching as needed throughout the day.
Must reside within the region, preferably centrally located.
Prior brand ambassador, merchandising, or customer service experience required.
This is a part-time role requiring 25–28 hours per week, primarily weekday mornings and afternoons with occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Schedule flexibility may be available for candidates balancing another part-time role.
Occasional support of Oishii activities in other regions may be required.

Perks at Oishii:

Compensation: $22/hr
Paid Training 
Paid Sick Time
Office social events including happy hours, parties, and community service projects
Employee activity groups for basketball players, Yoga Enthusiasts, runners

About Us:

Oishii (which means “delicious” in Japanese) is the innovative company behind the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. On a mission to transform the agriculture industry through the power of smart farming, Oishii harmoniously marries nature with state-of-the-art technology to create the ideal elements—rain, air, heat, light, nourishment and natural bee pollination—for growing in-season produce all year round. Oishii’s beloved Omakase, Koyo and Nikko Berries are grown in pesticide-free vertical farms in the U.S. and proudly bear the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. Founded in 2016, Oishii’s investors include SPARX Group, NTT, Yaskawa, McWin Capital Partners and Resilience Reserve. Oishii was recognized as one of Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies” in 2022.

Today, Oishii operates farms and research facilities across the United States and Japan, bringing together expertise from both countries to advance the future of agriculture. As a Japanese-founded company with global ambitions, we are building a world-class team dedicated to transforming how premium produce is grown and delivered. For more information, visit www.oishii.com.