Field Sales Manager - Food Adjacencies

POSITION SUMMARY

We have an open Field Sales Manager – Food Adjacencies opportunity at Vantage. This is a key role on our sales team focused on driving business within our Food business, specifically for functional ingredients including release agents. We are seeking a dynamic and sharp professional with Food and ingredients sales experience who can add significant value to the business and our customers.  The role will be based out of a remote office. It is essential to be near a major airport.  To be successful in this role, we are seeking an individual with familiarity of commercial excellence, proven value capture and the flexibility to travel extensively.

POSITION SCOPE

This role is responsible for sales and gross margin growth of assigned segments, customers, and territories. You will have the opportunity to develop account strategies, manage key accounts and contribute to business strategy and financial success. This is a rewarding opportunity, with visible impact both internally and with business partners. The position will frequently involve extended hours as necessary, the ability to work well under pressure and an intense pace.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Create, manage, and attain sales and gross margin targets for the responsibilities assigned (functional ingredients/Processing Aids including release agents).
• Prospecting Accounts, analyze market data and provide insights for business alignment.
• Build and develop new and existing accounts and manage sales opportunities in sync with business and account strategies.
• Resolve any issues and problems faced by customers and manage issues to maintain customer trust.
• Actively engage with the Vantage Commercial Excellence Program to develop account strategies, create pre-call plans, follow-up with post-call reports and actively manage the opportunity funnel with the support of CRM.
• Prepare call reports, forecasts and quarterly presentations for current or new business activity, new products, and other relevant marketing or competitive information.
• Provide feedback to the appropriate business functions regarding product performance, new customer or product opportunities and competitive intelligence including pricing data.
• Assist accounting and customer service in collection activities.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to drive commercial excellence.

Note: The duties listed above are not all inclusive and may be subject to periodic updating or revision.

The Ideal Candidate

Desired Background

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or related field. Minimum of Three (3) years’ demonstrated experience and proven success in sales and/or marketing of Food or chemicals.

Knowledge, Skills & Talents

More specifically, we would seek the following attributes and competencies for the position: 

• Prompt and proactive support of the customer is necessary for success in this role.

• Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration and sales techniques.

• Capability to research, understand, and develop both current and prospective customers.

• Very articulate, can communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing with both sales and technical staff, as well as management.

• Strong planning, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.

• Computer proficient and diligent in the use of commonly used software to support sales/marketing and business activities including MS Office Suite; ability to conduct research via internet.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for the needs of the audience and ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to customers and staff at all levels.

• Capacity to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

• Aptitude to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems and to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

• Willingness and ability to travel 50% or more of the time.  Travel is a mix of day and overnight trips.

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers’ technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.

We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you’ll be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here.  For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.