Head of Sales - KSA

Manpower Group Middle East; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Sales Manager for the food ingredients sector in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The ideal candidate will develop sales strategies, lead a diverse sales team, and drive business growth while ensuring compliance with local regulations. A bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years in progressive sales roles are required, with a preference for candidates with local market knowledge and strong communication skills in English and Arabic.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive sales experience, 3 years in management.
• Proven sales experience within Saudi Arabia.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sales strategies for Saudi food manufacturing.
• Drive new business acquisition for specialty food ingredients.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing sales team.

Skills

Sales strategy development

Market intelligence

Leadership and team management

Negotiation skills

Technical knowledge of food ingredients

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business Administration, or Chemistry

Master’s degree

Tools

CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot)

MS Office Suite

Job description

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Execution:

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies and tactical plans tailored to the Saudi food manufacturing, HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café), and retail sectors.
• Identify and prioritize key market segments, product opportunities, and target accounts (e.g., bakeries, dairy processors, beverage manufacturers).
• Set, track, and achieve annual and quarterly sales targets, revenue goals, and profit objectives.

Business Development & Key Account Management:

• Actively drive new business acquisition by identifying and pursuing high-potential customers for specialty food ingredients (e.g., flavors, stabilizers, emulsifiers, sweeteners, functional ingredients).
• Manage and nurture relationships with strategic key accounts and major food manufacturers, acting as the primary point of contact for high-level negotiations.
• Work closely with technical and R&D teams to provide customized ingredient solutions based on client needs and local taste preferences.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and motivate a high-performing sales team across different regions of Saudi Arabia (e.g., Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam).
• Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews, and training sessions to enhance the team's product knowledge and selling skills.
• Manage the sales budget, allocate effectively, and ensure optimal territory management.

Market Intelligence & Compliance:

• Continuously monitor market trends, competitor activities, pricing strategies, and local consumer demands in the Saudi food sector.
• Ensure all sales activities and ingredient distribution comply with SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) regulations and company policies.
• Prepare accurate sales forecasts, reports, and performance analyses for senior management.

Financial & Contract Management:

• Manage the sales pipeline from lead generation to contract negotiation and closure.
• Ensure competitive and profitable pricing strategies are maintained while securing long-term contracts.
• Coordinate with the supply chain and logistics teams to ensure timely ingredient delivery and high customer satisfaction.

Skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business Administration, Chemistry, or a related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive sales experience, with at least 3 years in a management / leadership role preferably in the food ingredients industry.
• Mandatory proven sales experience within Saudi Arabia, with a strong understanding of the local food manufacturing market and business culture.
• In-depth technical knowledge of specialty food ingredients (e.g., functional ingredients, flavor profiles, and application science).
• Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven ability to manage a P&L budget and drive significant revenue growth.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic are highly preferred.
• Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and MS Office Suite.
• Valid Saudi driving license and willingness to travel extensively within the Kingdom.