Position: Sales Manager (Food)
Location: Greater Chicago or Home Office in the US. Candidates must be available for nationwide travel of up to 70%, especially the northern USA and Canada.
Our client is an owner-managed, globally active company and one of the leading producers of wheat starches and wheat proteins in Europe. The company has been producing at its headquarters in Germany for 165 years, using state-of-the-art technologies, sustainable processes and great innovative strength. From the wheat-based raw materials the company develops highly functional ingredients and application-oriented solutions for customer-specific applications. They optimise the end products and create added value for customers in the food and non-food industries. Over 400 employees are dedicated to ensuring the company's commitment to high quality, environmental responsibility, customer focus, and reliability. F
In 2023, the group established a subsidiary in Chicago, Illinois, to provide industrial clients in North America and Canada with functional wheat-based ingredients and extrudates. This subsidiary also offers manufacturing expertise for sustainable, plant-based products such as authentic meat alternatives, functional bakery goods, and breading and coating systems.
Our client is seeking a passionate Sales Manager to join their team, who will be at the forefront of promoting their diverse product portfolio across various market segments. Leveraging your expertise in B2B solution selling and value-driven approaches, you'll develop and execute strategies to expand our client’s brand presence and drive growth in the market. An established network within the food and beverage industry, a strong technical understanding, and the ability to effectively communicate complex product benefits to clients are essential for success in this role.
What You Will Be Doing

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales plan to establish and grow the food brand in the US and Canada.
• Utilize solution-based selling techniques to effectively demonstrate the value of the company’s product portfolio.
• Plan daily activities, including customer visits and the establishment of quantitative and qualitative objectives.
• Deliver compelling sales proposals and conduct detailed presentations to showcase product benefits.
• Drive sales growth with both new and existing customers, ensuring consistent revenue increase.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities, providing insights and information to management.
• Independently solve moderately complex issues with minimal supervision or collaborate with appropriate team member for efficient resolution.
• Support sales order processing (in the beginning starting with supply from Europe)
• Support indirect sales-oriented actions (claim handling, follow up/feedback sampling, shipping of products)

What The Company Is Looking For

• Proven experience in B2B sales of food ingredients
• Bachelor’s degree in business, food science, or a related field preferred
• Established network within the food and beverage industry preferred
• Good technical skills and understanding of implementation of the ingredients within food production
• Ability to process, analyze, and effectively communicate business drivers associated with customers
• Ability to build trust and strong relationships with customers
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong presentation, and negotiation skills
• Hands-on mentality with a proven ability to work independently and autonomously with self-motivation