SALES EXECUTIVE

KENT WORLDWIDE; Cincinnati (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Grain Processing Corporation is seeking a Sales Executive for Specialty Ingredients to drive profitable growth by developing, managing, and expanding customer relationships in the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors.

You will connect customers with high-quality ingredient solutions, expand strategic partnerships, and contribute to a dynamic, customer-focused organization with heavy travel to the Grain Belt region in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• 7–10 years of B2B sales, business development, technical sales, or account management in food ingredients or related industries.
• Experience developing strategic account growth plans and closing opportunities.
• Experience using CRM systems, sales forecasting tools, and pipeline management.

Responsibilities

• Market, promote, and sell Specialty Ingredients products to food, personal care, and pharmaceutical customers.
• Develop and manage strategic customer relationships critical to growth.
• Monitor market trends and competitive intelligence to support strategy.
• Maintain CRM records with leads, opportunities, and sales activities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Identify and close new business opportunities to drive revenue growth.
• Analyze current and prospective accounts to expand market share.
• Represent the company at industry events and trade shows.

Skills

Account management

B2B sales

CRM systems

Sales forecasting

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Industry knowledge: grains

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science, agriculture, business, milling science, grain science, or related field

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Are you passionate about building relationships, uncovering new opportunities, and helping customers bring innovative products to market? Join the Grain Processing Corporation team, a KENT WORLDWIDE™ family company, as a Sales Executive within the Specialty Ingredients segment of our business. In this role, you'll be responsible for driving profitable growth through the development, management, and expansion of customer relationships within the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries by connecting customers with high-quality ingredient solutions. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated sales professional to expand strategic partnerships, develop new business, and make a meaningful impact in a dynamic, customer-focused organization. If you thrive on collaboration, problem-solving, and delivering results, we'd love to hear from you.

Primary Duties & Responsibilies

• Market, promote, and sell GPC Specialty Ingredients products to customers within the food, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.
• Develop, manage, and strengthen strategic customer relationships that are critical to the growth and success of the Specialty Ingredients business.
• Monitor and report on customer activities, competitive intelligence, emerging applications, industry developments, and market trends to support business strategy.
• Leverage and maintain the Company's CRM system to accurately track leads, opportunities, sales activities, and customer interactions.
• Deliver exceptional customer service by collaborating cross-functionally with Procurement, Operations, Research & Development, Technical Services, and other internal stakeholders.
• Identify, develop, and close new business opportunities to drive revenue growth within the food, personal care, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Analyze and prioritize key current and prospective accounts, developing and executing strategies to expand market share and customer engagement.
• Maintain active membership in relevant trade associations and represent the Company through participation in industry events and activities.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of products, applications, market dynamics, and industry trends.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience, And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, agriculture, business, milling science, grain science, or a related field preferred.
• 7-10 years of B2B sales, business development, technical sales, or account management experience within food ingredients, corn wet-milling, or related industries is required.
• Experience developing and executing strategic account growth plans and closing new business opportunities.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems, sales forecasting tools, and pipeline management processes.
• Strong understanding of corn wet-milling operations, grain-based ingredients, food manufacturing, or ingredient applications necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-value customer relationships at multiple organizational levels.
• Action-oriented and results-driven with a proven track record of achieving sales and profitability objectives.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and solve complex business challenges.
• Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and industry engagement.

TRAVEL & LOCATION

• An ideal candidate would be located within driving distance of our customers and prospects in the Grain Belt region of the United States
• Travel is varied but required (50%+) as needed to successfully conduct the affairs of the position. It can include day trips as well as overnight travel for meeting with current and prospective customers, business meetings, training, seminars, conferences, and tradeshows.