Account Manager - Seasonings

Account Manager

Ingredients, Seasonings etc.

Home based in greater Chicago area with travel

Our client is a leader in the manufacturing of high-quality ingredients, seasonings, spice blends and other dry ingredients sold to: Industrial, Foodservice and Retail Accounts internationally.  

Due to recent growth, they are looking to hire an experienced Account Manager / Business Development Manager to cover accounts in the US market. The Account Manager will be home based in the greater Chicago, IL area and will be responsible for growing existing accounts as well as identifying and initiating new opportunities for profitable growth within the sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent the company in a highly professional manner to both key customers and prospective accounts.

• Manage relationships and sales to customers within the market.

• Commercial responsibility to deliver agreed sales targets for the business.

• Identify and on-board opportunities with customers & prospects where company can offer value added solutions.

• Work closely with cross-functional technical, commercial, and operational personnel to progress key identified opportunities.

• Develop a thorough understanding of the products/capabilities offered by company to the industry.

• Develop an understanding of competitors, their products and key market drivers.

• Provide timely information on current and prospective customers, competitors and trends in the product line segment.

• Define an account plan including relationship management and budget in line with other relevant commercial plans. Update regularly based on (own) analysis or trends and developments.

• Prepare and submit periodical reports per defined formats & procedures

• Prepare proposals for contracts, lead and/or participate and/or support negotiations, including defining the negotiation strategy.

• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

• Operate in a highly ethical manner internally & externally and in full alignment with the company’s way of working.

REQUIREMENTS

•  Must have at least a BA/BS degree: Food Science & Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Human Nutrition, Business Administration etc. or equivalent related experience.

• Must have at least 5+years’ experience selling dry ingredients, seasonings/spices or similar ingredients into one of the 3 sales channels: Industrial, Retail and/or Foodservice.

• Must be based in the Midwest (within 3 hours of Chicago)

• Must have a proven track record of increasing sales and managing accounts

• Work from Home office and must be willing to travel as needed within the US.

• Knowledge of ingredients, seasonings, spices, dry ingredients, flavors and other related functional ingredients is preferred.

• Must have excellent communication skills are critical to success of this role.

• Prefer an entrepreneurial/builder attitude; self–starter.

• Must have the ability to work remotely with little to no direction.

• Planning and organization skills including professional attention to detail and follow up are a must.

• Must have the ability to understand and translate ingredient portfolio features to targeted customer value propositions.

• Should have demonstrated ability and experience to develop new accounts

• Ability to interact and communicate well with all functions at the customer such as procurement, sales, operations, R & D, quality and customer service.

• Must have good computer skills, competency with MS Office suite and related CRM systems (Salesforce)

 In return, they can offer a very competitive base salary, generous bonus opportunity, full benefits, car allowance, home office and ample opportunity for career advancement! Send resume to: jobs@foodemployment.com