Director of Industrial Sales - AZ

Position Overview: The Director of Industrial Sales for a custom food ingredients manufacturing company is responsible for leading and driving the company’s sales strategy within the industrial segment, primarily focusing on B2B customers who use the company's food products as ingredients in their own production processes. This role requires a strong background in ingredient manufacturing sales, strategic account management, and an in-depth understanding of the food production industry. The Director will manage key customer relationships and work cross-functionally to align sales goals with the company’s broader business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Sales Strategy Development and Execution:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy focused on growing industrial sales accounts within the food ingredient manufacturing sector.
  • Identify market trends and potential opportunities within the B2B food ingredient market to expand the company’s customer base.
  • Drive new business development initiatives, including identifying target accounts, establishing new client relationships, and converting leads into long-term partnerships.
• Account Management and Customer Relationships:
  • Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with key industrial clients to ensure customer satisfaction, retention, and growth.
  • Conduct regular business reviews with clients to understand their needs, assess satisfaction, and introduce new products or solutions.
  • Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms of agreements with key accounts to achieve favorable outcomes that align with company objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Work closely with marketing, product development, and production teams to ensure alignment between sales objectives and product offerings.
  • Provide input into product development and packaging based on customer feedback and industry trends to enhance the company’s competitive position.
  • Collaborate with supply chain and operations teams to ensure efficient production and delivery to meet customer requirements.
• Market and Competitive Analysis:
  • Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes to maintain a competitive advantage.
  • Provide insights and recommendations to executive leadership regarding new market opportunities, customer needs, and potential risks.
  • Develop pricing strategies and sales promotions to improve the company’s positioning within the market.
• Financial and Performance Management:
  • Develop and manage the sales budget, including forecasting and reporting on sales performance and profitability.
  • Track and analyze sales metrics to ensure the achievement of sales goals, adjusting tactics as necessary.
  • Prepare regular reports for executive leadership on sales performance, customer trends, and market conditions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or a related field; an MBA is preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in industrial or B2B sales within the food manufacturing industry, with at least 3-5 years in a sales leadership role.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful sales strategies that drive growth in the food manufacturing sector.
• Strong knowledge of food production processes, regulatory requirements, and industry trends.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and performance metrics.
• Ability to travel as needed to meet with clients and attend industry events.
• Arizona based

Key Competencies:

• Leadership and Team Building
• Strategic Thinking and Planning
• Customer-Centric Approach
• Negotiation and Contract Management
• Market and Competitive Analysis
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

This position reports to the VP of Sales Support and is a critical role within the organization, contributing directly to the company’s growth and success within the industrial market segment.