17 Food Broker Interview Questions and Answers

Food brokers are the middlemen of the food industry, connecting food producers with food retailers. As a food broker, you will need to have a strong understanding of the food industry, as well as the sales process. You will also need to be able to build relationships with both buyers and sellers.

If you’re looking for a job as a food broker, you will need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your knowledge of the food industry. In this guide, we will provide you with a list of sample food broker interview questions, as well as tips on how to answer them.

Are you familiar with the food brokerage industry?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the necessary experience and knowledge for the role. Use this question as a chance to explain what food brokerage is, how it works and why you are qualified for the job.

Example: “I’ve been working in the food brokerage industry for five years now. I started out as a sales representative at a small company where I worked with clients to find the best prices on their food products. After two years of doing this, I was promoted to senior sales representative where I managed my own team of sales representatives. Now, I’m looking for a new challenge where I can use my expertise and skills to help a larger company.”

What are some of the most important skills for a food broker to have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer this question by listing some of the most important skills, such as:

Negotiation skills Knowledge of food trends Ability to work under pressure Strong communication skills Example: “I believe a food broker’s ability to negotiate prices with vendors is one of the most important skills because it helps me save my company money while still providing our clients with quality products. I also think knowledge of current food trends is essential because it allows me to find new suppliers who are producing innovative products. Finally, working under pressure is an important skill because it shows that I am able to meet tight deadlines and produce high-quality results.”

How would you handle working with a difficult supplier?

Food brokers often work with suppliers who can be difficult to negotiate with. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to handle these situations and come out on top. In your answer, explain how you would use your communication skills to resolve the situation. Show that you are willing to stand up for yourself while also being respectful of others.

Example: “I find that most suppliers are reasonable people who just want to do business. If I were working with a supplier who was being difficult, I would first try to understand their concerns. I would then explain why our company is a good fit for them. I would show them all of the benefits we could offer them as a client. I believe that if you treat someone with respect, they will usually respond in kind.”

What is your experience with food safety regulations?

Food safety regulations are an important part of the food broker’s job. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with these regulations and can apply them correctly in your new role. Before your interview, read through the company’s website or employee handbook to see if they list any specific food safety regulations. If not, look up the regulations for the state where the company is located.

Example: “I am familiar with all of the federal food safety regulations. I also know that each state has its own set of regulations as well. In my previous position, I worked with a team of brokers who specialized in different states. We would meet once a week to discuss our experiences with the regulations and how we could apply them to our work.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to negotiate a lower price for a client.

Food brokers often negotiate prices with vendors to get the best deals for their clients. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience doing so and how well you can do it. In your answer, explain what steps you took to negotiate a lower price. Explain that you would also include why you chose those specific steps.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant food broker, my boss asked me to find a vendor who could provide our client with fresh produce at a lower cost. I called several different vendors and found one who could meet our needs. They were willing to reduce their price by 10% if we ordered more than usual. My boss agreed to the terms, and we saved our client money.”

If a shipment of products arrives damaged, how would you handle the situation?

Food brokers often handle shipments of food products, so it’s important to be able to respond to a situation where the shipment arrives damaged. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience handling these types of situations and how you would react in the future. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the company receives their full order.

Example: “If I received a shipment that arrived damaged, I would immediately contact the supplier to let them know about the issue. Then, I would work with the supplier to find out if they could send another shipment or refund us for the damaged goods. If we had to wait for a new shipment, I would store the damaged goods until the new shipment arrived.”

What would you do if a client requested a product that you were unable to source?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and solve problems. Your answer should show that you are willing to do what it takes to find a solution for your clients.

Example: “If I was unable to source a product, I would first try to find another supplier who could provide the same item. If this wasn’t possible, I would contact my client to let them know that I couldn’t fulfill their request. From there, I would work with them to find an alternative product or service that they were happy with.”

How well do you know the geography of the food industry, including major suppliers, markets and transportation routes?

Food brokers need to have a strong understanding of the food industry, including its suppliers, markets and transportation routes. This knowledge helps them make informed decisions about where to place their clients’ products and how to get them there in an efficient manner. When answering this question, highlight your familiarity with these aspects of the food industry by naming specific companies, locations or transportation methods you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’ve worked as a food broker for five years now, so I’m quite familiar with the geography of the food industry. For example, I know that many major suppliers are located in California, while most consumers live on the east coast. Transportation is often done via train, truck or boat, but sometimes air freight is necessary.”

Do you have experience using food brokerage software?

Food brokerage software is a computer program that helps food brokers manage their inventory, sales and customer information. An interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience using specific programs or if you have any experience with the type of software they use at their company. In your answer, describe which software you’ve used in the past and what you liked about it. If you don’t have experience with food brokerage software, explain which other types of business management software you do know how to use.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of food brokerage software over my career. I find FreshWorks Pro to be one of the most useful because it allows me to track all of my orders and monitor my sales. It also has an app that lets me check on my sales while I’m out of the office. This feature comes in handy when I need to make sure I haven’t missed any sales.”

When negotiating prices with suppliers, how do you determine if a price is fair?

Food brokers often negotiate prices with suppliers to get the best deals for their clients. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience negotiating fair prices and can help them save money on food costs. In your answer, explain how you determine if a price is fair. Share an example of when you negotiated a good deal for a client.

Example: “I always look at the quality of the product and compare it to similar products in the market. If I find that the supplier’s product is better than others but still has a low price, then I know that the price is fair. For instance, once I was working with a client who wanted to buy fresh produce from local farmers. The farmer had a great reputation and offered us a lower price than other suppliers because he knew we would be promoting his brand. We ended up buying $100,000 worth of produce from him.”

We want to expand our product offerings to include organic foods. What are the main differences between organic and non-organic foods?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the food industry. It also allows you to show how you can use your expertise to help an organization grow its product offerings. In your answer, explain what organic foods are and why they’re important. You may even want to mention some specific benefits that come with selling them.

Example: “Organic foods are produced without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. They’re also free from genetically modified organisms. This means that organic foods have more vitamins and minerals than non-organic ones. Organic foods are also better for the environment because they don’t require as much water or energy to produce.”

Describe your experience with food safety regulations and food safety inspections.

Food safety regulations are an important part of the food broker’s job. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with these regulations and can help their company stay compliant. In your answer, explain which regulations you’re familiar with and how you helped your previous employer stay in compliance.

Example: “I’ve worked for several different companies throughout my career as a food broker. Each company had slightly different food safety standards, but I’m very familiar with the basic requirements. For example, I know that all food must be stored at the correct temperature and employees must wash their hands before handling food. When working for a new company, I always offer to review their current food safety practices and provide advice on any areas they could improve.”

What makes you stand out from other food brokers?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates. When answering this question, think of a skill or quality that sets you apart from others. You can also mention any certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about food and love learning about new cuisines. I’ve traveled the world and eaten at many restaurants. This has given me an appreciation for different cultures and flavors. In my previous role as a food broker, I helped clients find chefs who could cook authentic dishes. My knowledge of international cuisine was very helpful in finding the right chef for each client.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important to be honest when answering this question, as it can help the employer decide if you’re qualified for the position. When preparing for this interview question, think about which industries you’ve worked in before and what skills you developed from those experiences.

Example: “I have the most experience working in the food industry. I started my career as a line cook at a local restaurant where I learned how to prepare meals and work with different ingredients. After that, I moved into a sales role at a grocery store where I was responsible for selling products to customers. This helped me develop my communication and negotiation skills.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Food brokers often interact with customers, so employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of providing good customer service. They want to know that you will be able to provide excellent customer service to their clients and help them feel valued. In your answer, explain what makes great customer service and share a specific example from your previous job.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is making sure the client feels valued. I always try to go above and beyond for my clients because I know how important it is to have someone who understands their needs and can find solutions to any problems they might have. For instance, when one of my clients was having trouble finding enough employees for an event, I recommended some other food services that could help meet their staffing needs.”

How often do you make sales calls and visit suppliers?

Food brokers often spend a lot of time on the road visiting suppliers and making sales calls. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with that type of work environment. In your answer, explain how much time you expect to spend traveling and conducting sales calls. Explain why you are prepared for this type of job.

Example: “I am used to spending a lot of time on the road. I usually visit at least three different suppliers each week. This is because I want to ensure I’m getting the best prices possible for my clients. I also enjoy meeting new people and learning about their businesses. I find it interesting to learn more about the food industry as a whole.”

There is a new food trend that you don’t think your clients will be interested in. How would you recommend that they start selling it?

This question is a great way to see how you can adapt to new trends in the food industry. It also shows your interviewer that you are willing to take risks and try something different. When answering this question, think of a time when you tried something new and it worked out well for your clients.

Example: “I would recommend starting with small orders at first. This allows them to test the waters without investing too much into an item they aren’t sure about. If the product sells well, then they can increase their order size. I have done this before with my current employer, where we started selling a new type of coffee beans. We only ordered one shipment at first, but once our customers saw how good it was, we increased our order size.”