Senior Field Sales Manager FOOD

Do you have a background in FOOD and experience in driving SALES to retail supermarket chains? This is a fabulous role for someone with a solid background in nurturing existing supermarket customers whilst also generating increased sales revenues with new retailers. This international food import/export business imports specialist foods and distributing them to supermarket chains &restaurants. It has recently gone through an explosion in growth as a result of the increased interest in home-cooking that started during Covid. People are now experimenting with new flavours and new dishes and this company has been able to expand strongly to accommodate increasingly sophisticated and international tastes. In this role you will manage a portfolio of existing retail customers introducing them to new products and flavours. You will also be responsible for developing new business all over the UK, book appointments, arrange visits , pitch and generate new business opportunities

TITLE: FOOD Senior Field Sales Manager

TEAM: Larger Retailers (Supermarkets)

SECTOR : International Cuisine, Food, food manufacturing, hospitality (ambient and frozen)

LOCATION: EPPING

Languages : Fluent English . Other languages are useful

Salary : £75,000-£100,000 ++ depending on experience. There is a generous performance bonus that can go up to 30% of salary .

CAR: Car allowance provided /laptop/phone etc

Travel Involved: Yes, In UK and to see existing and new clients

ESSENTIAL experience: Food sales and solid account management experience of working with supermarkets

COMPANY DETAILS

This is a well-established food import/export business that specialises in importing specialist food products globally. It supplies supermarkets and restaurant chains and has gone through a recent explosion in growth as a result of the increased interest in home-cooking that started during Covid. People are now experimenting with new flavours and new dishes and this company has been able to expand strongly to accommodate increasingly sophisticated and international dishes. In this role you will manage a portfolio of existing retail clients and introduce them to new products and flavours, You will also be responsible for developing new relationships with new prospects all over the UK, book appointments, arrange visits , pitch and do new business development

This role will develop into a Sales Director role for the right person

DUTIES: 60% nurturing- and expanding- existing buyer relationships. 40% new business development

60% Portfolio management and growth

• Meeting existing clients and introducing yourself
• Developing an understanding of existing retail customer demographics, buying patterns, consumer habits and business plans
• Suggesting new ingredients /new recipes/promotional offers
• Negotiating supply and quantities. Liaising with suppliers and warehouse
• Checking-in with the customer to ensure that they are happy with the service with a view to expanding the range of products they display on their shelves

40% new business development

• Research and approach new retailers
• Attend food related events to pick up leads
• Pitch for business on a face-to-face basis
• Negotiate sales volumes and new supplier contracts
• Constantly visit existing customers to ensure that they are happy with the products and service

REQUIREMENTS

• Food sector SALES & Key Account Management background (essential)
• Experience of dealing with larger supermarkets or chains ( essential)
• Experienced in managing customers with average sales up to £5m per annum
• Car driver