Food Service Sales Lead

Barilla Group; Fatih; On-site; TRY 50,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global food company in Istanbul is seeking a Food Service Sales Lead to drive the commercial strategy and operational execution of its Food Service channel. The role includes team leadership, distributor management, and sales planning. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience in the food service industry, with strong analytical and communication skills. The company values diversity and offers an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in Food service with proven experience in distributor & customer management.
• In-depth knowledge of the Food Service ecosystem including catering services and hotel sectors.
• Solid experience in managing cross-regional sales teams in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for delivering monthly and annual sales and profitability goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 5 Sales Executives.
• Build and maintain strong collaboration with distributors and key accounts.
• Manage volume forecasting and sales planning processes.

Skills

Food service experience

Distributor management

Sales performance

Strong communication

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision.

From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence. Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation.

Now, as Barilla Turkey we are looking for a Food Service Sales Lead – to lead the commercial strategy and operational execution of its Food Service channel as a part of our Sales team, based in İstanbul. The role involves managing distributors&customers, driving sales performance, and supporting long-term business growth.

Job Description:

• Commercial Ownership: Take full responsibility for delivering the monthly and annual sales and profitability goals of the Food Service channel in line with company budget.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of 5 Sales Executives to ensure strong field execution and capability growth.
• Distributor & Customer Management: Build and maintain strong collaboration with distributors and key accounts with sales team, ensuring operational excellence.
• Channel Development: Identify and implement initiatives to enhance distributor reach, coverage, and effectiveness.
• Sales Planning & Forecasting: Manage volume forecasting and sales planning processes in alignment with demand and supply functions.
• Market Analysis: Monitor channel trends and regional developments using data from government institutions, industry associations, and market research partners; provide insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Competitive Intelligence: Track competitor pricing, promotions, and activities, sharing insights with commercial leadership.
• Brand Activation: Partner with Marketing and commercial teams to plan and execute brand initiatives, demos, and customer engagement activities.
• Financial Oversight: Ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of budgets and invoices with distributors and customers, while demonstrating strong budget ownership and cost control.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a reputable university
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Food service, with proven experience in distributor & customer management
• In-depth knowledge of the Food Service ecosystem, including key channels like catering services, QSRs, FSRs, and the hotel and lodging sector
• Solid experience in managing cross-regional sales teams in dynamic, results-driven environments
• Analytical mindset, comfortable working with data and performance metrics
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across functions and partners
• Comfortable using English in business settings, including meetings and reporting

At Barilla, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity in all its forms is valued and embraced. Our employment policies and practices are designed to ensure equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of age, race, color, citizenship, faith, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or characteristics of expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our commitment to equal employment stems from our unwavering belief that it is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a fundamental driver of innovation and business success.