Technical Sales Manager - Food Ingredients

IFF; Oberhausen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Performance incentives

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. You will drive sales growth across key food ingredient accounts by building strong relationships and identifying new business opportunities, with focus on pectin and texturizing solutions.

You will lead cross-functional collaboration, manage opportunities through the full sales cycle, and contribute to sustainable growth in the food and beverage industry, while traveling up to 40% and working with

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of commercial experience in sales, product management, or business development in the food ingredients industry.
• Degree in Food Technology, Food Science or related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of food ingredients and their applications.
• Ability to manage customer projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Customer-focused with strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Fluency in German and English; willingness to travel up to ~40%.

Responsibilities

• Manage portfolio of key customers focused on pectin and texturizing solutions.
• Build long-term relationships and position IFF as an innovation partner.
• Develop business with existing and prospective customers by identifying needs.
• Identify trends, customer needs, and competitive developments.
• Manage full sales cycle from opportunity to contract and closing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver value-driven solutions.
• Represent IFF at industry events to strengthen market presence.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Sales

Account management

Negotiation

Communication

German language

Education

Food Technology/Science degree

Job description

Job Summary

Are you ready to combine your food ingredients expertise with strategic account management to drive customer and business growth?

Job Summary

Are you ready to combine your food ingredients expertise with strategic account management to drive customer and business growth?

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Food Ingredients:

Innovating improved nutritional profiles, better taste and texture, and greater cost efficiency to meet the needs of global food and beverage manufacturers.

In this role, you will drive sales growth across key food ingredient accounts by building strong, long-term customer relationships and identifying new business opportunities. You will manage strategic customers, including multinational accounts with multiple production sites and stakeholders, and leverage your knowledge of pectin and texturizing solutions to address customer needs and deliver value-added solutions. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will develop and execute account strategies, manage opportunities throughout the sales cycle, and contribute to sustainable growth across the food and beverage industry.

For your awareness, IFF has announced its intention to sell its Food Ingredients Business to CVC Capital Partners. The sale is presently expected to close in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. The Food Ingredient business unit will remain a part of IFF until close and, at such time, it will transition to CVC Capital Partners. In applying for this position, you acknowledge your awareness that the position is a part of the Food Ingredient business unit and has been identified to transition to CVC Capital Partners.

Where You'll Make a Difference

• Manage a portfolio of key customers with a focus on pectin and texturizing solutions for applications including fruit preparations, jams, beverages, confectionery, and other specialty applications.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with key manufacturers and position IFF as a trusted innovation partner.
• Develop business with existing and prospective customers by identifying needs and promoting relevant food ingredient solutions.
• Identify emerging market trends, customer needs, and competitive developments, translating insights into tangible business opportunities.
• Manage the full sales cycle, from opportunity identification and pipeline development through pricing, contract negotiations, and closing.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans aligned with broader category and commercial objectives.
• Collaborate with Application, Research & Development, Product Management, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams to deliver value-driven customer solutions.
• Represent IFF at relevant industry events, conferences, and trade shows to strengthen customer engagement and market presence.

What Makes You The Right Fit

• Degree or professional qualification in Food Technology, Food Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of commercial experience in sales, product management, or business development within the food ingredients industry.
• Strong technical and practical knowledge of food ingredients and their applications.
• Proven ability to manage customer projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across functions and teams.
• Customer-focused approach with the ability to build trust and develop long-term business relationships.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in German and English.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel up to approximately 40%.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Experience managing strategic or multinational key accounts within the food ingredients industry.
• Expertise in pectin, hydrocolloids, or texturizing systems combined with commercial sales experience.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts and customer challenges into compelling value propositions and growth opportunities.

Why Choose Us?

• Join a global organization with a strong reputation for innovation and customer-focused solutions in food ingredients.
• Work with an innovative portfolio that helps customers create differentiated food and beverage products.
• Collaborate across functions and markets in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Benefit from a competitive compensation package, including base salary, performance-based incentives, company car, and comprehensive benefits.
• Access opportunities for professional development, continuous learning, and international collaboration.
• Make a direct contribution to customer success and business growth.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy.

At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential.

We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status.

We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more