Vice President Sales – Europe

Cromwell Banks; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Cromwell Banks is seeking a Vice President Sales – Europe to lead and inspire regional teams across Europe, driving profitable growth and strong customer partnerships. The role demands deep food ingredients expertise, strategic vision and hands-on leadership to optimize revenue and margins.

You will shape the European sales strategy, build senior client relationships with multinational customers and collaborate with marketing, R&D and operations to deliver differentiated ingredient solutions

Qualifications

• Significant sales leadership in food ingredients or related industry.
• Experience leading European or multi-country teams.
• Proven P&L management at regional level.
• Track record of profitable growth and strategic accounts.
• Understanding of ingredient applications and trends.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements with multinational customers.
• Excellent stakeholder and leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the European sales strategy across existing and emerging markets.
• Provide strategic leadership to regional sales teams, developing talent and capabilities.
• Build senior-level relationships with multinational and regional customers.
• Drive new business development and growth initiatives.
• Oversee strategic account planning and joint business plans.
• Own commercial and financial performance to optimise profitability.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and value-based solutions.
• Collaborate with technical, innovation, marketing and operations teams.
• Set clear commercial priorities and development plans.

Skills

Sales leadership

P&L management

Strategic thinking

Regional team leadership

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Food ingredients industry knowledge

Job description

Global Food Ingredients Business | Senior Commercial Leadership

Employment Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

We are supporting a leading global food ingredients business in the appointment of a Vice President Sales – Europe.

This is a senior commercial leadership opportunity for an experienced sales executive to drive profitable growth, strengthen strategic customer relationships and lead commercial excellence across European markets.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience within the food ingredients industry, combining strong commercial and financial acumen with a proven ability to develop high-performing teams, identify new market opportunities and deliver sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the European sales strategy, identifying opportunities for profitable growth across existing and emerging markets.
• Provide strategic leadership to regional sales teams, developing talent, strengthening capabilities and driving commercial performance.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key multinational and regional customers, positioning the business as a trusted strategic partner.
• Drive new business development, identifying market opportunities, customer needs and long-term growth initiatives.
• Oversee strategic account planning, ensuring effective execution of joint business plans and customer growth strategies.
• Take ownership of commercial and financial performance, using financial insights to optimise profitability and support business objectives.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, developing value-based solutions and securing long-term customer partnerships.
• Collaborate closely with technical, innovation, marketing and operational teams to deliver differentiated ingredient solutions.
• Establish clear commercial priorities, performance measures and development plans to drive continuous improvement.

Candidate Profile

We are particularly interested in speaking with senior commercial leaders who can demonstrate:

• Significant sales leadership experience within the food ingredients, specialty ingredients or food solutions industry.
• A successful track record in a European or multi-country commercial leadership position.
• Experience managing and developing regional sales teams, including senior commercial managers.
• Strong commercial P&L management experience at regional or business-unit level.
• Demonstrable success in delivering profitable growth, developing new business and managing strategic customer accounts.
• A strong understanding of ingredient applications, market trends and solution-based selling.
• Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements with major multinational customers.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and leadership capabilities.
• The ability to combine strategic commercial thinking with effective execution.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take on a senior leadership position within an established global food ingredients organisation, with the scope to influence European commercial strategy, develop strategic customer partnerships and deliver meaningful long-term growth.

The position will suit an ambitious, commercially driven leader looking to make a significant impact within a complex, international business.