Account Manager - Specialty Food Ingredient

Job Summary:

 

The position applies broad sales and marketing principles to develop, maintain, and increase sales in accordance with corporate objectives and goals, within the specialty food ingredient area. The successful candidate will develop new prospects and interact with existing customers to increase sales in the food and beverage market.  The Account Manager will initiate frequent customer contact in person and via interim phone contact to develop and expand customer accounts and relationships. The candidate will work with marketing, product development, and research and development internally and externally (customer accounts). The candidate will rely on industry experience and sound judgment to target appropriate customers.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:Provide technical sales function for current customers, with particular focus on developing accounts. This includes development of account strategies for these accounts and providing any assistance required by customer to facilitate business development. Effective promotion and utilization of available resources is also important. Sales call planning to ensure adequate and efficient territory coverage, including regular face-to-face as well as interim telephone contact. Regular documentation of customer activities via call reports and other updates. This will include active use of CRM systems that are available. Timely completion of other necessary or requested tasks, including special product segment studies, expense reports, itineraries, etc.Face-to-face interaction at multiple trade shows.

Qualifications: Education & Experience: Technical college degree, BS in food science or nutrition preferred, in food ingredient sales or the supply side (ingredients and technologies)4+ years experience in food and beverage industry, including minimum of 2 years sales experience with a food ingredientStrong relationship building and networking skillsSelf motivated; works independently and as a key player in the team environmentSound information gathering skills, with ability to organize and interpret information, utilizing internet, networking, databases, etc.Must be able to travel as a significant part of the jobComputer literacy (PCs, MS Office, Outlook, CRM)Strong communication, interpersonal, presentation, analytical and problem-solving skills