Technical Sales Representative

CareersInFood.com; Greenville (SC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

CareersInFood.com is seeking a Technical Sales Representative to manage the Greenville, SC territory for functional food ingredients. The role combines technical support with strategic account management, requiring strong communication and field presence to drive growth.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of B2B sales experience in food ingredients, can troubleshoot applications, and collaborates with R&D and product teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or Microbiology required.
• 5+ years of direct B2B sales experience in functional food ingredients.
• Experience providing customer-facing technical support and application troubleshooting.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; professional demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow customer relationships in the Greenville territory.
• Identify and convert new business opportunities in bakery, meat, and protein sectors.
• Provide application-based technical support and product recommendations.
• Collaborate with R&D, product development, and food scientists.
• Lead the full sales process from prospecting to closing.
• Maintain forecasts and CRM records.

Skills

B2B Sales

Food ingredients

Technical sales

CRM

Presentation skills

Independent work

Travel ready

Education

Food Science

Chemical Engineering

Microbiology

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office

Teams/Zoom

LinkedIn

Job description

Technical Sales Representative – Food Ingredients

Location: Greenville, SC (Hybrid, 2 days in office per week for Year 1)

Travel: 30–50% (approx. 50% in Year 1)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Technical Sales Representative to manage our customer base in the greater Greenville area for the food industry. This is a mid-career role ideally suited for professionals with 5+ years of direct B2B sales experience selling functional food ingredients (not commodity ingredients) to food and beverage manufacturers.

The ideal candidate will bring both technical expertise and commercial acumen, enabling them to support customers with application questions, troubleshoot technical challenges, and drive sales growth across strategic accounts. This role requires a polished, professional individual who can confidently represent the company through both technical credibility and professional presence.

Key Responsibilities

Account Management & Business Development

• Manage, grow, and retain customer relationships within the assigned territory.
• Identify, qualify, and convert new business opportunities across:
• Bakery ingredient companies and commercial bakeries
• Meat processors
• Consistently achieve or exceed sales targets for functional food ingredient solutions.

Technical Sales & Customer Support

• Provide application-based technical support to customers, including product selection, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Recommend ingredient solutions and manage sample delivery and follow-up.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, product development teams, and food scientists at customer organizations.
• Deliver clear, accurate technical information in customer meetings, virtual calls, and presentations.
• Lead all stages of the sales process from prospecting to closing.
• Maintain accurate forecasts for inventory and production planning.
• Track opportunities using CRM tools, complete call reports, and update customer files regularly.
• Provide insights into customer volume expectations and annual demand planning.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Candidates must hold a technical bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines:
• Food Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Microbiology
• Degrees outside these fields (e.g., journalism, economics, animal science, general nutrition) are not considered relevant unless accompanied by one of the required technical degrees.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of direct B2B sales experience with functional food ingredients for:
• Flavor, dairy, bakery, meat, or protein-focused manufacturers
• Proven success selling value-added or functional ingredients (not commodities).
• Experience providing customer-facing technical support, including processing, formulation, or application troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a remote environment.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Professional demeanor and appearance; represents the company with polish and confidence.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with contacts ranging from technical staff to executives.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of managing a diverse workload.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams/Zoom, and LinkedIn.

Travel Requirements

• 50% travel during Year 1 (training and territory immersion).
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and proper insurance required.
• Ability to travel throughout the U.S. and Canada for customer visits, trade shows, and industry events.

Compensation

• Competitive and commensurate with experience.