Sales Manager, Food service

IRCA Group; Orlando (FL); Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Sales Manager to drive growth in the southeastern market. This exciting role involves selling food-related products to multi-unit chain accounts, focusing on building strong relationships and understanding customer needs. The position offers flexibility with remote work and travel opportunities, allowing you to engage directly with clients while collaborating with marketing and innovation teams. If you have a passion for sales and a background in food service, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic and growing company.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Matching

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of sales experience in food service/multi-unit chain restaurants.
• Strong communication and presentation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage sales territory and grow relationships with existing customers.
• Negotiate and implement sales and marketing programs with clients.

Skills

Sales Experience

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Strategic Thinking

Customer Relationship Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

CRM System

Job description

IRCA is a prominent international provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry, and gelato markets. They cater to independent producers as well as large food manufacturers, including consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. The company's core product offerings consist of chocolate, chocolate decorations, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and various other bakery and pastry ingredients.

Headquartered in Italy, IRCA was acquired by Advent International, a global private equity firm, in July 2022. The company has demonstrated a strong history of growth over the past decade. As part of its growth strategy, IRCA made two bolt-on acquisitions in 2022. They acquired Cesarin, a provider of candied fruits, and Anastasi, a supplier of pistachio ingredients. These acquisitions expanded IRCA's product portfolio and market reach.

More recently, IRCA acquired the leading manufacturer of sweet and cereal products in Europe and the US. The target company focuses on high-value specialty ingredients for the Food Manufacturers segment. Their product range includes sweet particulates, chocolate confections, baked inclusions, variegates, and fruit purées. This deal, successfully completed in March of 2023, is a transformative move for IRCA, establishing them as a global leader in the semi-finished ingredients industry.

With this acquisition, IRCA has a combined revenue of €1 billion in 2023 and a presence in 22 manufacturing facilities across Europe, the US, and Vietnam. This expanded manufacturing footprint and diversified product portfolio positions IRCA as a key player in the market, serving a wide range of customers in the bakery, pastry, and gelato sectors, as well as food manufacturers.

Sales Manager, Food Service

Irca Group is seeking an experienced, dedicated, and responsible Sales Manager to focus on our southeastern market. The position will focus on selling food-related products to the Multi-Unit/Chain Account segment. The goal is to help grow, support, and continue to develop the Irca Group products within the Chain Restaurant customer base focusing on the Southeastern USA. The position allows for remote work with travel; candidates can be based in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned sales territory with day-to-day account growth and relationship management for existing customers.
• Build relationships with Multi Unit/Chain Accounts, specifically focused on R&D, Culinary, and Procurement.
• Create selling opportunities by understanding pain points of customers and how our products can help.
• Work with our Marketing and Innovation teams to develop opportunities for engagement with clients, ensuring budgets and targets are met.
• Oversee, develop, and execute sales of our full product line in the territory.
• Spend dedicated time in the field working with and training distributor reps, end users, and manufacturing customers as needed.
• Negotiate and implement sales and marketing programs with customers.
• Participate in regularly scheduled innovation and brainstorming sessions.
• Utilize CRM system to keep accurate records of potential customers, track follow-up on all potential new leads, and manage the pipeline.
• Continuously plan and forecast inventory movement.
• Analyze accounts and manage territory expenses.
• Regularly report on sales activities and opportunities to the Director of Sales.
• Support and encourage a positive team approach with fellow sales reps and internal support staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5+ years of sales experience calling on food service/multi-unit chain restaurants. Must have the ability to make sales calls.
• Experience with chocolate or bakery ingredient sales.
• Ability to lead customer sales meetings, creatively solve problems, and forecast inventory needs.
• Keep up to date with current industry trends and maintain awareness of new products and ideas.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with a large amount of travel, if necessary.
• Demonstrate an assertive attitude with a positive approach and outlook.
• Strong communication skills are essential, including both verbal and written capabilities, with an emphasis on strong presentation ability.
• Strategic thinking skills with the ability to organize, prioritize, and handle multiple tasks.
• Exhibit sound interpersonal skills in all interactions with customers, staff, and company management.
• Independent with a balanced team spirit.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
• Home office based.

Irca Group offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits, including Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Other

Industries

Food and Beverage Manufacturing