SALES EXECUTIVE

Grain Processing Corporation; Cincinnati (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Grain Processing Corporation, a leading provider in specialty ingredients, seeks a Sales Executive to drive profitable growth by expanding customer relationships in food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors.

Responsibilities include leveraging CRM, developing strategic accounts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams; travel 50%+ to meet customers, train staff, and participate in industry events while building market share.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in a related field.
• 7–10 years of B2B sales or account management in food ingredients or related industries.
• Experience building strategic account growth plans and closing opportunities.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, forecasting tools, and pipeline management.
• Strong understanding of corn wet-milling and grain-based ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Market, promote, and sell Specialty Ingredients to food, personal care, and pharmaceutical customers.
• Develop, manage, and strengthen strategic customer relationships critical to growth.
• Monitor and report market trends, competitive intelligence, and industry developments.
• Utilize CRM to track leads, opportunities, and customer interactions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Operations, R&D, and others.
• Identify, develop, and close new business opportunities to drive revenue growth.
• Analyze accounts and execute strategies to expand market share and engagement.
• Represent the company at trade associations and industry events.
• Maintain deep knowledge of products, applications, and industry dynamics.

Skills

CRM management

Sales forecasting

Pipeline management

Relationship building

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

Tools

CRM software

Sales forecasting tools

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.