Area Manager ES East (m/f/d)

IFCO; Valencia; Hybrid; EUR 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work environment

LinkedIn Learning access

Employee Support Program

Job summary

IFCO, the world market leader for reusable packaging containers for fresh food, seeks a Sales & Business Development professional in Valencia to grow grower partnerships, engage key stakeholders, and drive value selling across the supply chain.

You will negotiate agreements, manage retailer relationships, identify growth opportunities, and collaborate with Sales Support, Supply Chain and Finance to deliver sustainable commercial results.

Qualifications

• Sales & Business Development expertise with growth you can show.
• Industry knowledge of fresh produce or related supply chain.
• Experience building trusted partnerships and negotiating agreements.
• Ability to build business cases and drive sustainable commercial growth.
• Strategic market insights and ability to translate into actions.
• Proficiency with CRM tools and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management, with customer focus.
• Fluency in Spanish and English; additional European languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Grower partnerships: build and nurture long-term relationships with growers across relevant segments.
• Stakeholder engagement: develop networks with key decision-makers in operations, quality, finance, procurement and supply chain.
• Value selling & change management: drive adoption and demonstrate operational, commercial and sustainability benefits.
• Business development: identify growth opportunities, expand existing business and foster collaborative supply chain initiatives.
• Market & industry collaboration: maintain connections with grower associations and market participants to spot trends.
• Retail relationship management: support regional retailer partnerships with solutions that improve efficiency and sustainability.
• Commercial excellence: negotiate agreements, manage account performance, and ensure accurate forecasting with CRM standards.
• Cross-functional leadership: collaborate with Sales Support, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering and others to deliver a seamless customer experience.

Skills

Sales & BD

Industry knowledge

Relationship management

Commercial & negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Data & digital acumen

Communication & customer focus

Languages & ways of working

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

We are the world market leader for reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh food and are constantly optimizing our products.

We help make the food supply cycle for the population more sustainable. With our RPCs, safety for food transport is improved, there is less waste of food and at the same time the lifespan of the products increases. Through our products and the need for less packaging materials we reduce the carbon footprint.

„The future is circular“

Key responsibilities:

• Grower Partnerships – Build and nurture long‑term relationships with growers across relevant market segments, positioning IFCO as a trusted partner that creates measurable value.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Develop strong networks with key decision‑makers across operations, quality, finance, procurement, and supply chain functions to strengthen collaboration and influence.
• Value Selling & Change Management – Drive adoption and business growth through structured value communication, clearly demonstrating operational, commercial, and sustainability benefits.
• Business Development – Identify and realize growth opportunities by expanding existing business, developing new applications, and fostering collaborative supply chain initiatives.
• Market & Industry Collaboration – Maintain close connections with grower associations, industry stakeholders, and market participants to anticipate trends and unlock new partnership opportunities.
• Retail Relationship Management – Support and develop regional retailer partnerships by delivering solutions that improve efficiency, standardization, sustainability, and overall supply chain performance.
• Commercial Excellence – Negotiate agreements, manage account performance, and ensure accurate forecasting while maintaining high CRM standards and applying a structured sales approach.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership – Collaborate closely with Sales Support, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, and other internal teams to deliver a seamless customer experience and successfully execute customer initiatives.

We expect:

• Sales & Business Development Expertise – Proven success in managing customer relationships, developing business opportunities, and driving sustainable commercial growth within complex markets.
• Industry Knowledge – Strong understanding of the fresh produce, food, or related supply chain industries, with the ability to identify market trends and customer needs.
• Relationship Management – Experience building trusted partnerships with customers, suppliers, and key stakeholders, creating long‑term value and collaboration opportunities.
• Commercial & Negotiation Skills – Strong ability to build compelling business cases, lead negotiations, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes that support long‑term success.
• Strategic Thinking & Market Insight – Ability to anticipate market developments, identify growth opportunities, and translate insights into effective commercial strategies.
• Data & Digital Acumen – Comfortable working with CRM platforms such as Salesforce and leveraging business tools, analytics, and data insights to support decision‑making and recommendations.
• Communication & Customer Focus – Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to quickly understand customer requirements and influence decision‑makers.
• Languages & Ways of Working – Native‑level Spanish and fluent English, complemented by a proactive, self‑driven approach and the ability to navigate dynamic environments with confidence. Knowledge of German or additional European languages is a plus.

We offer:

• Make a difference where it matters – Play a key role in a sustainable and future‑proof industry.
• A culture of appreciation and respect – Join an international team where collaboration thrives.
• Flat hierarchies, fast decisions – Your ideas matter and drive real change.
• Work your way – Enjoy flexible working hours and hybrid work.
• Unlimited learning opportunities – Access to unlimited LinkedIn Learning.
• Support when you need it – Our Employee Support Program.

At IFCO, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. IFCO is an equal opportunity employer.