Flavours Sales Director

Aston Chambers; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

Aston Chambers in Dubai seeks an experienced Flavours Sales Director to lead the commercial strategy for the Middle East region, reporting to the Regional MD. Based in Dubai, you will own the regional business plan, sales performance and major accounts, with Saudi Arabia as a primary focus.

You will manage a Dubai-based team of four to five professionals and coordinate a wider network across Europe and India. Travel regularly across the region to support customers and projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' sales and account management in the flavours industry.
• Direct experience of the flavours market in the Middle East.
• Strong knowledge of regional customers, market dynamics and commercial practices.
• Established customer relationships within Saudi Arabia, the UAE or wider GCC would be highly valuable.
• Fluent English is essential; French and Arabic language skills would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy for the Middle East Flavours business.
• Take ownership of the regional business plan, sales objectives and commercial results.
• Deliver profitable growth across existing accounts and new customers.
• Establish Saudi Arabia as a primary area of commercial focus.
• Develop strategic account plans for major customers and priority growth accounts.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities.
• Identify new markets, customer segments, applications and product opportunities.
• Build trusted relationships with senior commercial, procurement, technical and management contacts.
• Maintain regular customer engagement through visits, project meetings and strategic reviews.
• Lead customer projects from initial opportunity through technical development and commercial delivery.

Skills

Strategic sales

Account management

Leadership

Forecasting

Cross-cultural

Saudi market

Relationship building

Job description

Company

This company is a long-established international developer and manufacturer of flavours, natural extracts and ingredient solutions. It supports food and beverage customers through an integrated network of creative, application, regulatory, marketing and manufacturing teams. The business combines global technical capabilities with family ownership, long-term thinking and an entrepreneurial culture. Following continued investment in its Dubai Creative Center, the company is seeking a Flavours Sales Director to lead the next stage of its regional growth.

Role

The company is seeking an experienced Flavours Sales Director to lead the commercial strategy and performance of its Middle E ast business. Based in Dubai and reporting directly to the Regional Managing Director, the successful individual will take ownership of the regional business plan, sales performance, strategic accounts and new-business development. Saudi Arabia will be a major commercial priority. The wider territory includes the GCC, Pakistan, the Levant and selected North African markets. The scope may extend further into Africa as the business develops. The role will lead a Dubai-based team of four to five professionals across food technology, marketing and sales support. It will also coordinate a wider network of flavourists, application specialists, regulatory professionals, marketing teams and technical resources based in Europe and India. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership position. The successful individual must set direction, develop the team and remain close to customers, projects and market activity. A critical part of the role will be maintaining a strong relationship between the Dubai business and the company’s headquarters in Europe. Success will depend on clear communication, cultural awareness, disciplined follow-up and the ability to secure support across an international matrix organisation. The position will also support the commercial development of the company’s Health & Beauty active ingredients portfolio acros s the region.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial growth strategy for the Middle East Flavours business
• Take ownership of the regional business plan, sales objectives and commercial results
• Deliver profitable growth across existing accounts and new customers
• Establish Saudi Arabia as a primary area of commercial focus
• Develop strategic account plans for major customers and priority growth accounts
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities
• Identify new markets, customer segments, applications and product opportunities
• Build trusted relationships with senior commercial, procurement, technical and management contacts
• Maintain regular customer engagement through visits, project meetings and strategic reviews
• Lead customer projects from initial opportunity through technical development and commercial delivery
• Coordinate commercial, creative, application, marketing and regulatory resources
• Lead, develop and motivate the Dubai Flavours team
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations
• Strengthen local commercial and technical capabilities as the regional business grows
• Build a collaborative, accountable and customer-focused working culture
• Maintain a close and productive relationship with European headquarters
• Communicate regional customer requirements, commercial priorities and resource needs clearly across the organisation
• Ensure agreed actions receive consistent and timely follow-up
• Coordinate with the Health & Beauty division to develop regional active ingredient opportunities
• Prepare sales forecasts, business reviews, customer visit reports and progress updates
• Monitor revenue, margin, pipeline development, conversion rates and account performance
• Track regional market trends, competitor activity and emerging customer requirements
• Support the evaluation and development of selected African markets
• Travel regularly across the region to support customers, projects and team development

Key Requirements & Skills

• A minimum of five years’ sales and account management experience within the Flavours industry
• Direct experience of the Flavours market in the Middle East
• Strong knowledge of regional customers, market dynamics and commercial practices
• Established customer relationships within Saudi Arabia, the UAE or wider GCC would be highly valuable
• A proven record of developing accounts and delivering profitable sales growth
• Experience winning new business and managing strategic existing accounts
• Experience building and executing regional or country sales strategies
• Proven experience leading and developing a commercial or technical team
• Strong understanding of technically led and consultative sales processes
• Experience coordinating complex customer projects across commercial and technical functions
• Ability to translate technical capabilities into relevant customer solutions
• Confidence building relationships with senior customer contacts and decision-makers
• Strong commercial judgement, negotiation and communication skills
• Experience with forecasting, pipeline management and commercial reporting
• Strong internal stakeholder management and cross-cultural communication skills
• A proactive, entrepreneurial and hands-on working style
• Ability to work effectively without extensive corporate infrastructure
• Strong planning, organisation and follow-up skills
• Fluent English is essential. French and Arabic language skills would be advantageous
• Already or willingness to be based in Dubai and travel extensively across the region.