Technical Account Executive

JB Cocoa; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A food ingredients company is seeking a proactive Technical Account Executive to drive sales in North America. Responsibilities include developing new accounts in the food and beverage sector, managing technical cocoa powder samples, and nurturing long-term partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Business Administration or Marketing, with 1-3 years of relevant sales experience in cocoa powder or food ingredients. This role requires excellent communication and organizational skills, alongside a willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in Cocoa Powder or food ingredient sales.
• Knowledge of cocoa powder applications and processing preferred.
• Willingness to travel for client visits and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Expand sales accounts in North America food & beverage sector.
• Manage technical cocoa powder samples and follow-up.
• Provide weekly reports on market feedback and customer development.

Skills

Sales-driven mindset

Technical knowledge of cocoa powder

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Lead sourcing

Education

BS or BA Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field

Job description

We are seeking a proactive Technical Account Executive to expand our North America footprint. This role is responsible for the full sales lifecycle—from identifying new business leads and managing technical cocoa powder samples to nurturing long‑term partnerships with food manufacturers. The ideal candidate combines a "hunter" mindset with the technical knowledge necessary to discuss cocoa applications with R&D and procurement teams.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Proactively target and develop new sales accounts across the North American food and beverage sector.
• Independently source new business leads and leverage an existing network of industry prospects.
• Identify, attend, and represent the company at key trade shows to capture new business opportunities.
• Identify emerging market trends to position our cocoa powder solutions effectively against competitors.
• Service and grow existing accounts, acting as the primary point of contact for all commercial and technical inquiries.
• Oversee the distribution of cocoa powder samples; provide rigorous follow‑up to ensure technical approval and conversion.
• Manage the preparation and delivery of competitive price quotes and formal RFP responses.
• Maintain an accurate record of sample statuses and lead progression within the company database.
• Provide detailed weekly reports on customer development, pipeline health, and market feedback to the Sales & Marketing Director.
• Assist with special marketing projects and corporate events to enhance brand visibility.
• Manage post‑sales service, including handling customer requests and resolving complaints to ensure long‑term loyalty.

Job Requirements:

• BS or BA Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in Cocoa Powder or food ingredient sales within the North American market.
• Knowledge of cocoa powder applications and processing is highly preferred. A background in Food Science or Food Technology is a significant plus.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to communicate technical product attributes to diverse stakeholders.
• A self‑starter capable of sourcing leads independently while working effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Willingness to travel as necessary to visit client sites and attend industry events.