Sales Director (Food testing)

Vega Analytical Labs; Farmers Branch (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vega Analytical Labs in Farmers Branch, TX, is seeking a motivated Sales & Marketing Representative to acquire new clients and grow existing accounts in the food and agricultural industries. This hybrid role involves managing a robust sales pipeline, representing the company at trade shows, and ensuring client satisfaction.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of B2B sales experience, be comfortable engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and possess a genuine interest in food safety science.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of success in B2B sales or business development.
• Self-starter with strong pipeline management skills.
• Comfortable presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Drive new client acquisition and grow existing accounts.
• Build and manage a sales pipeline using CRM tools.
• Serve as primary contact for assigned accounts.

Skills

B2B sales experience

Presentation skills

CRM proficiency

Food safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Vega Analytical Labs is a growing analytical laboratory headquartered in Farmers Branch, TX, at the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. We provide comprehensive microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, shelf life studies, water quality analysis, and rapid detection services to food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, importers, and foodservice operators throughout Texas and across the United States.

Our team brings 25+ years of combined expertise and the capacity to process 10,000+ tests annually. All testing is conducted exclusively under AOAC Official Methods, FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), and USDA FSIS Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) validated methods. We are committed to delivering scientifically rigorous results and building lasting partnerships with every client we serve.

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated, technically confident Sales & Marketing Representative to drive new client acquisition and grow existing accounts across the food and agricultural industries in Texas and surrounding markets. You will be the face of Vega Analytical Labs — building relationships with QA managers, food safety directors, procurement leads, and R&D teams at food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, co-packers, importers, and foodservice companies who need reliable, AOAC/FDA/USDA-validated food safety testing.

This is a hybrid field and office role. You will prospect and close new business, manage a growing account portfolio, represent Vega at regional trade shows and industry events, and support marketing content and outreach — leading with local DFW presence, faster turnaround, and genuine technical partnership.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & New Account Acquisition

• Prospect, qualify, and close new accounts across target segments: food & beverage manufacturers, meat & poultry processors, produce companies, dairy producers, spice and ingredient suppliers, dietary supplement manufacturers, importers, and foodservice chains operating in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and the broader South-Central U.S.
• Build and manage a robust sales pipeline using CRM tools; track leads, activities, proposals, and conversion rates with regular reporting to laboratory management
• Conduct discovery meetings and technical needs assessments with QA, food safety, and procurement stakeholders to design tailored testing programs — including microbiology panels, environmental monitoring programs, shelf life studies, and rapid method packages
• Develop and deliver customized proposals, service agreements, and volume pricing packages in coordination with laboratory management
• Identify and pursue RFP/RFQ opportunities from food manufacturers, retail chains, foodservice operators, and government or institutional buyers
• Meet or exceed monthly and quarterly revenue targets; participate actively in setting annual sales goals with laboratory management

Account Management & Client Retention

• Serve as the primary point of contact for an assigned portfolio of accounts, ensuring high client satisfaction, service continuity, and long-term retention
• Conduct regular check-ins, on-site visits, and quarterly business reviews with key accounts to proactively identify evolving testing needs and regulatory changes affecting their programs
• Coordinate with laboratory operations and client services teams to resolve turnaround, reporting, or technical concerns promptly and professionally
• Identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities — expanding clients from single test panels to comprehensive microbiology programs, environmental monitoring, shelf life studies, or water quality testing
• Gather client feedback and relay market intelligence to laboratory leadership to inform service development, method expansion, and positioning

Marketing & Brand Development

• Support development and execution of marketing materials: service capability sheets, technical brochures, case studies, email campaigns, and LinkedIn content
• Maintain and update Vega's digital presence including the website (vegalabtesting.com), social media channels, and Google Business profile in collaboration with management
• Plan and represent Vega at key regional trade shows, conferences, and networking events including: Longhorn IFT Suppliers Night (Frisco, TX), Texas Food Processors Association (TFPA) events, Southwest Foodservice Expo, IFT Annual Event, and GFSI/SQF/BRC training forums in the region
• Coordinate client lunch-and-learns, technical seminars, and webinars on topics including FSMA preventive controls, AOAC method validation, environmental monitoring best practices, and USDA FSIS regulatory updates
• Support development of targeted outreach campaigns tied to regulatory cycles — FSMA compliance deadlines, USDA FSIS updates, FDA BAM revisions — and emerging food safety topics relevant to your client base

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of demonstrated success in B2B sales, business development, or account management — preferably in food testing, laboratory services, environmental testing, scientific supplies, or the food & beverage industry
• Comfortable presenting to both technical audiences (QA managers, food scientists, microbiologists, regulatory affairs leads) and non-technical buyers (procurement, operations, C-suite)
• Self-starter with the ability to manage a pipeline independently, prioritize prospect outreach, and close deals with minimal supervision
• Proficiency with CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot, or equivalent) and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace tools
• Valid Texas driver's license and willingness to conduct field sales visits across the DFW metro and travel regionally (approximately 30–40% of time)
• Genuine interest in food safety science — willingness to learn AOAC methods, FDA BAM, USDA MLG, and microbiology fundamentals to hold credible technical conversations with clients

Preferred

• Prior experience selling food safety testing, laboratory services, or scientific products into the food manufacturing or food ingredient industries
• Understanding of food safety regulatory frameworks: FDA FSMA Preventive Controls, USDA FSIS microbiology requirements, AOAC method validation, GFSI standards (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000), and Codex Alimentarius requirements
• Experience developing B2B marketing content, technical collateral, email campaigns, or managing a company LinkedIn or social media presence
• Existing relationships with QA, food safety, or procurement professionals at food manufacturers, co-packers, or ingredient suppliers in Texas or the South-Central U.S.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Business, Marketing, or a related field (equivalent experience will be considered)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus given the DFW and Texas food industry market demographics