About this role
1. Sales & Business Development
• Develop and execute sales strategies and business plans to drive growth within the assigned food industry segments, including key accounts, distributors, manufacturers, and OEM customers. • Achieve assigned sales targets in revenue, sales volume, profitability, and gross margin. • Identify, develop, and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through proactive business development activities and market expansion initiatives. • Explore and penetrate new market opportunities and applications within the food industry, including bakery, dairy, beverages, confectionery, processed food, and functional ingredients sectors. • Conduct regular market visits, customer presentations, and business reviews to strengthen market presence and customer engagement. • Lead commercial discussions including pricing negotiations, contract terms, and business proposals while ensuring sustainable profitability. • Work closely with internal stakeholders to implement effective pricing, promotional, and product positioning strategies. • Monitor sales performance against targets and implement corrective actions and recovery plans where necessary. • Participate in trade exhibitions, industry events, seminars, and networking activities to promote company products and strengthen industry relationships. • Continuously identify opportunities for cross-selling, up-selling, and strategic account growth.
2. Key Account & Customer Management
• Build, strengthen, and maintain long-term business relationships with customers and strategic accounts within the food industry. • Conduct regular customer visits to understand customer operations, business challenges, and technical requirements. • Provide suitable product recommendations, value-added solutions, and application support aligned with customer needs. • Manage customer inquiries, feedback, complaints, and service-related matters professionally and in a timely manner. • Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Technical teams, and Head of Department (HOD) in managing strategic and high-value accounts. • Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty through consistent service excellence. • Prepare and deliver business reviews, proposals, product presentations, and commercial updates to customers. • Maintain accurate customer records, account plans, pricing structures, and sales activities within the CRM or reporting systems. • Support customers in product trials, application testing, and commercialization activities where applicable.
3. Market Intelligence & Strategy
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, customer developments, and emerging market opportunities within the food industry. • Conduct market research and gather customer insights to support business growth and product development initiatives • Identify new applications, market segments, and growth areas to expand the company’s market share. • Provide timely market feedback and commercial insights to management for strategic decision-making. • Analyse sales data, market trends, and customer performance to drive strategic business actions and forecasting accuracy. • Support annual business planning, budgeting, and forecasting exercises. • Stay updated on industry regulations, food safety standards, and market developments relevant to the business.
3. Internal Collaboration & Reporting
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Technical, Regulatory, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless business operations and effective customer support. • Coordinate internally to ensure timely delivery, inventory availability, and resolution of operational issues. • Prepare accurate sales forecasts, pipeline updates, market reports, and monthly business performance reports. • Ensure compliance with company policies, business ethics, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. • Maintain proper documentation of customer activities, quotations, contracts, and sales records. • Support internal projects, product launches, and continuous improvement initiatives as assigned by management. • Participate actively in sales meetings, training programs, and company initiatives. • Assist and participate in the company’s annual stock-taking exercise when required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education
• Bachelor Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Agriculture, or related disciplines. • Candidates with relevant commercial experience in the food ingredients or food manufacturing industry may also be considered. • Additional certifications or professional training in sales, business development, food applications, or technical food-related fields will be an added advantage
Experience
• Minimum 3–5 years of sales, key account management, or business development experience within the food ingredients, food manufacturing, FMCG, or related industries. • Experience managing customers such as food manufacturers, distributors, OEMs, processors, or industrial food accounts is preferred. • Experience in handling technical or solution-based sales will be an added advantage.
Knowledge and skills
• Strong knowledge of the food industry, including applications in bakery, dairy, beverages, processed food, confectionery, or functional ingredients. • Good understanding of food ingredients, additives, formulations, and product applications. • Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify business opportunities and translate customer needs into practical business solutions. • Excellent account management and relationship-building skills. • Strong negotiation, influencing, presentation, and problem-solving abilities. • Ability to analyze market trends, sales data, and customer insights to support strategic decisions. • Proficiency in consultative and solution-based selling approaches. • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across all organizational levels. • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. • Good organizational, planning, and reporting skills with attention to detail.
Other requirements
• Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned territory and for customer visits. • Possess a valid driving license. • Good command of English and local language(s), both written and spoken. • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.